I may be an oddity among writers: I love the revision process. It is not unusual for me to revise a poem dozens of times and still not consider it finished. (Yes, I know there is a danger in getting in an endless revision loop and work hard to avoid that trap.)
This seems to have been the year for revisions. Since January, I have substantially revised 2 of my novels and am considering diving into a 3rd. The project I am currently working on, I initially wrote in 2005/6, revised in 2008, and then put away until a few months ago. It's been fascinating to look at this novel--the writer's version of an archeology dig--and see how my process and my writing has evolved.
The bones of the story are sound; the story needed work. At the time, I didn't have the resources to do the kind of revision required. Now, I believe I do. And I believe I can do justice to the story.
I'm really excited about it. And the tools I needed came in the mail last week. I read through Blake Snyder's "Save the Cat," and am currently working my way through Larry Brooks' "Story Engineering."
(Inevitable digression: I have an addiction to craft books. I figure it's like a chef's need to collect recipes.)
I think if I had read these books as a fledgling writer, I wouldn't have gotten so much out of them. Reading them now, I can apply them to the specifics of my own work and you know what? It's so cool! I have 5 pages of handwritten notes with a plan for sharpening theme, character, stakes, and pacing. At the end of this process, I will have a story that rocks the house.
Hurray! I'm growing to love the revision process, too. But 5 pages of notes! Sweet! Right now I'm in the middle of a revision for my science fiction novel, but I put it on hold because I am so, so, so close to finishing Saboteur (sequel to Sedition).
ReplyDeleteGo, Lisa, Go! Kick some revision batoosh!
As new writer, I'm still learning to like the revision process. Could be that I have so much to learn and minimal time to do it, so the process drags on. So, thanks for reminding me that revision can be a positive experience.
ReplyDeleteI loved "Story Engineering"! I created a one page cheat sheet to help mold my stories. I'll have to check out "Save the Cat".
You're not alone. I love the revision process. The initial draft is what makes me tear my hair out. Revision is where all the magic happens, for me at least.
ReplyDeleteI also have an addiction to books on the craft. I loved Save the Cat. Another favorite of mine is The Fire in Fiction. You might like it, if you haven't already read it. :)
@aimee go you!!!
ReplyDelete@anne I think that no matter where we are in the learning process there's new things to learn. It's really a lifelong process.
@ t.s. thanks for the recommendation! Craft books--crack for writers. lol
I love editing too. I did NaNo last year and there were times when I thought: aaah, this is sooo bad, but I knew the revision would be good. Talking of which, must get back to it.
ReplyDelete@Michele--I hope your revision is going well.
ReplyDeleteEvery fall, I think about NaNo for about 12 seconds then run away. LOL. I am in awe of writers who can silence their inner editor for the breakneck pace of getting that first draft on paper. Maybe one year, I'll try it.