So, I figured my first post would be writing related, since, you know, this is writer’s blog and all. And I picked my favorite (if you can’t hear the sarcasm–pretend) subject: Revising or rewriting. Which, to me, is kind of the same thing.
I just finished a project a few days ago; The Hunt of a Lifetime (title likely to be changed). I completed it in 9 days, at around 15k. Great, right? Wrong! The characters, those lovely, crazy, lovable people (again, hear the sarcasm) changed the plot. 12k INTO the story. Yes, you read that right–12k in.
I guess I shouldn’t complain too much. I can use, er, some of the other stuff. It’s kind of difficult to use any more than that when your characters went from a first-time meeting to, oh, you know, being engaged way back when. Nice, eh? But it’s okay. The first draft is finished and the ending isn’t going to change much (I’m praying really hard here, in case you were wondering), so that’s good. At least, that’s what I’m naively telling myself. Shh, play along. It appeases the voices.
So, what about y’all? Do you like revising? Or do you Hate (yes, capital H) it with a fiery passion that would burn even the Devil’s skin?
July 1st, 2009 on 2:00 am
Congrats on the new site! I love it and have it bookmarked.
July 1st, 2009 on 2:11 am
Awh, thanks, Tasha!
July 1st, 2009 on 2:01 am
what an awesome job you have done with this site! It’s beautiful!
July 1st, 2009 on 2:11 am
Thanks, T!
July 1st, 2009 on 4:32 am
Lovely site! Congrats. I wish you much success in all that you do!
July 1st, 2009 on 4:35 am
Thank you, Adelle!
July 1st, 2009 on 6:07 am
Awesome site Maya!
I drag my feet when it comes to revising. That’s when all the fear and doubt comes out, but since I fast draft, I’d be nowhere if it wasn’t for revisions. That’s where the real writing emerges for me.
July 1st, 2009 on 1:39 pm
Thanks, Jeannie!
I wish I could do the fast draft thing. I think that would make it easier. Have the story finished quickly, and then have more time to focus on fixing, polishing.Or, you know, in my case: rewriting a dozen drafts, lol.
July 1st, 2009 on 10:27 am
The site’s lovely! Congrats on finishing your draft.
As for revising– deep sigh –some days yes and some days no. Just like doing the first draft, sometimes it flows, other times, well, it’s time to break out the aspirin.
July 1st, 2009 on 1:41 pm
Thank you, Jamie.
lol. That’s a very good description. I love writing and rewriting so much better when the plot hits you, you know it’s right and the story just flows out without any hard work. That’s kind of what that story did, and I loved it! I sure wish they were all like that.
July 1st, 2009 on 11:22 am
I might have said this already to you but love it! You’re so talented. I wish I knew how to design websites and whatnot. Either way, love the site and new name! And yes I have a love/hate relationship with revising.
July 1st, 2009 on 2:02 pm
It’s always nice to hear again, Alexia! hehe. Thank you!
I think, half the time, my entire relationship with writing is love/hate, lol. But I love it more than I hate it, thankfully.
July 1st, 2009 on 1:56 pm
What a gorgeous site! Congrats, Maya.
I’m another fast-draft person. I don’t reread what I’ve written until I finish, and then I like to set it aside for a week to a month. Once a little time has passed, I print out my story and attack it with a red pen. It’s always an adventure…discovering that one character has several different names. Hmmm…which one shall I stick with? *lol*
July 1st, 2009 on 2:07 pm
Thank you, Debbie!
See, I’m very jealous of fast drafters and plotters sometimes. I’ve tried both and, well, it was a disaster, hehe. But I tried, right? As for character names, if I know the name in the beginning (and I usually do, since I hunt it out), I don’t forget it. Of course, this doesn’t include secondaries. I change those like mad, LOL.