1) Take messy first-draft version of chapter and rewrite it to the point I'm willing to let my critique group read it. This means cleaning up prose, but also rethinking action, character reactions, dialogue flow, sometimes even a blank-page rewrite if something's changed significantly in the story after rewrites of previous chapters.
2) Hand out chapter to critique group. Get feedback pointing out issues (often relating to tension, pacing, or depth of emotional interaction).
3) Tear hair and gnash teeth trying to figure out a way to address problems. Think of an idea, get halfway through rewriting scene, realize it still doesn't help. Think more. Despair. Eat cupcake, or (preferably) do something outdoors. A-ha! Sugar or adrenaline rush leads to way better idea, one I can see immediately will address issues and make story 100% better.
4) Realize brilliant new idea means rewriting entire chapter from scratch (and maybe the one before it, too). Weep copiously. Save old scenes to "deleted scenes" file and go back to step 1.
Outdoor exercise and plenty of sleep do much to speed up steps 1 and 3. Sadly, as a parent I don't get the chance for nearly as much as I'd like of either. But: good news! This weekend, I'll be enjoying both. My awesome boss invited me and some other friends up to her house in ski country for a little "ladies ski weekend," and my equally awesome husband agreed to take off work and wrangle our son solo so I can spend Thurs-Sat in mountain heaven. I don't know what's more exciting: the idea of skiing hard all day long in chutes and trees, or the idea of sleeping an entire night through without a little voice going "Mommy, I'm scared..." at 3am. And yes, I'm bringing the ol' laptop and plan on getting some quality revising time in addition to the other fun.
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| The best aid to revision ever. As long as you ski wearing a helmet (which I do). |
Yikes. Whoever wrote the top of that sign should also write book jackets.
ReplyDeleteAbout revision, do you find that when doing a blank page (or chapter) rewrite, that you're not limited by what's on the page? Like skiing off the trail and creating a new path through the trees? That's how it feels for me, but I still resist it 'cause it seems like it's more work, even though it isn't.
Have a great weekend with the ladies, the snow, and revisions!
I always think those signs should add "snow sharks" to the list of hazards just to see if anyone's bothering to read the fine print. :D
ReplyDeleteOn revision: if I'm doing a blank-page rewrite, then it's because the scene needs to go totally differently than it did before, so in that sense I'm not limited by what was on the page previously, I guess? But if you're asking if I feel more free while doing it...no, usually I'm sweating blood over it, because it means I essentially have to first-draft the scene again and I haaaaaaaate writing first drafts. (So in my case, blank page rewrites DO mean a lot more work. Sigh! But the result is usually worth all the hard work (or so I feel).)
Hi I just stumbled across your blog and then found my way to your website. I love the art on your website! It's fantastic. Your obvious good taste in fantasy art, on its own, convinced me to track down a copy of The Whitefire Crossing :)
ReplyDeleteOh, excellent! Hope you enjoy the book, Byron. :)
ReplyDelete