Ahh, the glorious part about writing: revising. I'll be honest: I kind of hate revisions. I love drafting and the organic crafting of a story--watching it unfold--but then comes to trying to make it all make sense and tell the story you want it to. Which can often lead me to some major hair-pulling-out madness. I guess there are some aspects of it I enjoy:
-Finally getting a scene *just* right, where it really sings.
-Understanding a character's motivation to a deeper degree, as something clicks together.
-Crafting a story that's so much richer than what originally showed up on the page.
-Finding hilarious typos (like missing the 'r' in shirt) that make me laugh for weeks.
-Being finished :)
There are so many elements of what goes into revising a novel. Sometimes that's what the hardest part is finding where to start and just digging in. Lately I've been making a lot of reverse outlines as I go back over what I've written. I find this helps me work out what does work, and where to hone in. Having a game plan is personally what I need to get started. And then...well, it's just getting it all to come together!
Easy, right? ;)
Someday I wish I could write a novel that didn't require quite so much work once I completed a draft, but knowing my style, I doubt that'll happen. Though, I'm always open to new things, so we'll see!
What's your favorite part about revisions?
My favorite part of revisions... finishing them.
ReplyDeleteNo, actually, I don't mind them AFTER I figure out what needs to be done. It's the "where do I start/what do I do" part that I hate. The actual revising I don't mind too much, especially if I can see how it makes the story stronger. But, let's face it, I think all authors would like to write the perfect first draft. :)
I think no matter how good a first draft is, it's always going to require extensive revisions. I think they're are very, very, very few writers who are the exception.
ReplyDeleteIt's when you're in the middle of them that they're such a bloody headache.
ReplyDeleteRevisions are always a bear. And I relate all too well to that tweet.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part about revising is when I work on something and then I can tell it is just right. Those moments are magical. Or course, most of it is hair pulling out and debating. That tweet somehow sums up my writing on many days. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
Being finished. Yep, that's my favorite step as well. Though I don't enjoy revisions, I do love seeing the story grow, evolve, dig its heels in. I'm just about to do a first rev on a manuscript and I'm getting pretty excited to revisit it.
ReplyDeleteI. Feel. You! It could get crazy sometimes, right?
ReplyDelete