Thursday, December 4, 2008

Write, Revise, Rewrite, Repeat

Well, as I promised, I wrote a Thanksgiving post for you all to read, but it was so long, I decided to revise it. Therefore, here is the short version:

I am thankful for all the friends and family I love,
For all the stuff I have been blessed with.
Thank you all for making my life worthwhile.

Thank you for revisions (this list was a much less painful list to write then my previous one).

Speaking about revisions, I am in the middle of revising my YA novel. I had written a great piece and loved it. Actually, I loved the ending and the beginning of it, but the middle was, well…lacking that special zing. So, I reread it from front to back (thanks to the advice of my dear friend), and realized that the book ended too soon. There were still things to work out, more plot to scheme through, and *sigh* more love triangles to meander around.

Along with revisions, comes cutting out chapters and changing plot lines – An incredibly painful process (with lots of tears and ice cream cake). But this is all for a better written book. If a book is worth writing, it is worth revising. Even, if you have to take out chapters and chapters to make it your masterpiece.

On the other hand, if you want to read a terribly written book that should have had a lot of revision, I have just the one for you. It is even signed by the author (sorry, no author from this blog).

So, if someone comes along and says, “Hey, I loved your book, except that one part,” it is time to think about revision. Believe me - it will help make the world a better, better place.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm totally with you on this one! I'd rather have a stack of revisions to work on than a piece of work that is really a piece of...yeah.
And revision is so important. Thanks for sharing this with us. Everyone can use it!

Linda Garner said...

I don't think of it as revisions. I think of it as refinement. Easier to swallow and much more productive. If you're revising then you're going somewhere. If you're not, then you're pretty much stuck. Write on!
L.G.

Carolyn V. said...

Oooo, I like refinement! Much more pleasant.