by Kathy Cannon Wiechman
Revision. Some writers cringe at the word.
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As for me, I love the revision process. Not a blank page anymore, the story is there. I already wrote it. I just need to take the characters I created and make them more believable (and once in a while, eliminate one of them). I scrutinize my plot and work to strengthen it. I question Voice. Does it ring true? Have I kept it consistent? I rethink each chapter and every single word. I add here and delete there. I take what I have, see it more clearly, and change what needs to be changed. And when I see it evolve and improve, I rejoice!
Ah, yes! I welcome Revision, that chance to make things better. When that process is finished for the final time (and often there are countless revisions), I have to go back to that blank page and begin the next story.
Oh, that poor girl with her head full of revision angst is SO me! I pretty much hate drafting and revising equally. Your entire first para describes me perfectly. I wish I could relax into it and appreciate it the way you do. Oh well, maybe in time...
ReplyDeleteYou just have to keep reminding yourself that it'll be worth it in the end. It's such a good feeling to see it shape up. Thanks for your comment, & I hope your angst gives way to true enjoyment.
DeleteHow about R is for rewrite - as in OMG it's crap with no plot and no obstacles... that's what a new writing class will do for a WIP (not laughing)
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing your class made you realize the plot & conflict in your WIP need improvement. At least now you know, & can get to work. Just concentrate on how great your finished project will be. Good luck. I'm pulling for you!
DeleteRevising's an exhausting, though exhilarating, process. Just wrapping up some of my own and am soooo glad to be in the home stretch! :-)
ReplyDeleteSome Dark Romantic
You're right. The exhilarating & exhausting seem to go hand-in-hand, but doesn't the home stretch feel good? You'll be at the finish line before you know it. Best of luck to you!
DeleteRevising is a great step in the process, it just seems to never be over! You think you've gotten it as good as possible, then you get someone else to read it and see that still more needs to be done. That's the tough part about revisions - finally getting to that point that it's finally where it should be, with no more big issues to be changed. Writer’s Mark
ReplyDeleteYou're right. It's hard to know when to quit asking for feedback. And you have to know when the feedback isn't helpful. It seems a novel is never finished, but eventually, you have to make yourself quit tinkering.
DeleteI've really grown to love revision, editing, rewriting, and polishing. It indicates I've grown and matured so much as a writer since my earlier days, when I thought I didn't have to change a single word, and that bad/immature sections could still work with better material added in. Some of my books are door-stoppers, so going through them for revisions can take a really long time. And every time I think I'm finally done, I find some inconsistency or error I didn't catch on any of the previous 10 editing rounds or 5 later sweep-throughs. The more work a book requires, the more rewarding it is to revise it and admire the finished product.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how I feel. It's a good feeling when all the shaping & reshaping begins to shape up. When I finally submit a ms, I find myself wishing I'd made a few more tweaks. Best of luck with your writing.
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