Welcome to the seventh installment of the How I Write series, brainchild of Ansha Kotyk. A group of writers are writing about how we write – scheduled for Wednesdays through August. Please check back weekly. And click here for the list of all the writers participating and links to their blogs.
Today's topic: Revision
Newsflash: I love revision. This is what I live for--getting to the point where I can revise. I often break a cardinal writer's rule and start revising before I even get to the end. ::gasp:: Anyone else do that? Revise as you go?
When I'm really ready to dive into major revision, I usually spend some time looking at passive/active voice issues--making sure I've used the strongest words possible, making sure my sentence structure is varied and interesting. I might read some books on craft and see if I'm hitting all the plot points I should be. I might read out loud a bit to make sure my dialogue is working.
I had one major plot
I decided to scrap the whole plot line--bye bye 15k words. Started over pretty much. But it helped me know my characters better, their motivation, their personalities--even though that stuff didn't happen. That was major revision.
Keep in mind I've only finished one novel...so some of these strategies might be different with WIP #2. But still, I seriously love revision.
Am I the only one?
7 comments:
Yes. :) Just kidding I think revising is a major component of writing and if we didn't enjoy it, even a little bit, we'd never finish a novel.
I used to love revision. WA! Now I just know all the things I don't know! Well, I am loving revision this week. I think it is confidence(lack there of, I mean) that gets me down.
I am working on loving drafting.
I generally have this love/hate thing for revisions. I know I have to do it, and I love the final outcome of revisions - a polished story! Yet, somethings it's daunting. But I really think that, for me at least, tackling it with specific mini goals in mind helps a lot, and can help prevents me from getting lost and overwhelmed.
I still love revision, though it seems REALLY far away right now. :)
I'm with you--I'm still drafting, but I've already gone through and made some revisions. I find it helps me get unstuck if I go back and rework something that isn't working.
I'm tempted to revise as I go along, but it tends to slow down my momentum. I admire your discipline to cut a scene you thought didn't quite belong--15K gone??? I think I would cry...just for a moment, then I'd move on. But dang--keep that 15K locked away for another story!
Kay - glad I'm not the only one!
Thanks Jess. Yeah, it's filed. :)
Who knows, a sequel is floating around my brain and I might pull out parts of that stuff!
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