Thursday, September 23, 2010
Writing is Rewriting
Every writer has heard the old mantra for revisions: “Writing is Rewriting.”
Every time I heard that, I wanted to chuck my computer, manuscript still on harddrive, right over a cliff. Because if writing is rewriting, what the hell is all the stuff I do BEFORE I rewrite? “Writing is Rewriting” makes my first draft sound like an elaborate finger massage of my keyboard.
I’m just being ornery. A few weeks ago, I admitted to cutting out a quarter of my manuscript. Well, this past week or so, I realized I needed to start over.
I don’t know if I can call it starting over. I’m using already created characters that have already starred in half of a now defunct manuscript. But I prefer not to think of it as starting over. That just sounds… defeated. In this case, I’m just doing the most extensive rewrite I’ve ever undertaken.
Yeah. I’m rewriting everything that came after “Chapter One.”
I spent a few days dejected and another few days feeling like I needed to stop pretending to be a writer and take up mosquito herding or some equally productive hobby. But after that I started to not feel so bad about it. I mean, I know these characters. I’m changing their circumstances because their circumstances didn’t work. But they are still the same characters. I’m just going to change up the messes I put them in. It won’t be as hard this time around. Right?
I’d imagine I’ll use some of my old material. But for the most part, I’m just going to pretend I highlighted everything and hit the delete key. Literally, I’m rewriting it all. So in this case, my writing is really rewriting.
I remember reading somewhere that some amazing author (Maybe La Nora even?) writes a complete first draft and deletes it all before starting to write the real story. I hate to say it but I can see how this might work for me. I don’t get to know my characters really until I’m about halfway through. Maybe I literally need to be a rewriter, not a writer.
I kind of hope not. I can’t even explain my pain this week as I stared at that cursor after the “Chapter One” again.
How about it, folks? Anyone else ever done such an elaborate “revision?” Anyone else ever hated the whole “writing is rewriting” phrase? Or does anyone have a different take on it? Ever read your first draft and thought, “For all that is holy, is this really what I have to work with?” Any thoughts on managing major revisions?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Books by the Crew
48 comments:
Ah, I'm so sorry! I don't know if I've ever really thought about the writing is rewriting stuff. I look at the massive amount of writing I have done and figure they are all elaborate outlines of the stories I want to tell. I foresee some real rewriting in my future, but also the basic story is there for all of them...
As I learnt to write better ... ;-) ... I figure all the goes before is rehearsal. You have to rehearse before you perform! Hang in there!
And yes, I'm in Anaheim and tomorrow is Disneyland. We walked over this evening and it's so cute! All made up for Halloween! I can't wait to get in tomorrow...
Marn, I'm actually just starting one of those "do over" revisions you're going through -- I've never done it before, so I was trying to convince myself it wasn't necessary. But it is. I love the characters, and the story is fun, but it's actually more of a "this is what we did on our summer vacation" kind of thing. LOL
It probably wouldn't be necessary to redo it except it's the first of a trilogy and of course Books 2 and 3 are in much better shape in my head. LOL I think it's going to be tricky but I'm also kind of looking forward to NOT being tied to the old story.
Hang in there. We can do eeet! LOL
Anyone else ever done such an elaborate “revision?”
Marnee, I think that the problem is more common then you think. You have this picture in your head of the story you want to tell. But when you put it down on paper? It isn’t the story that you know you are really capable of writing. You’re disappointed in yourself. And you start to question your technique.
My buddy Mic was faced with such a dilemma. He had a story all blocked out. But when put it down? He knew that he could do better. He knew that he had to make some Serious adjustments, because his story wasn’t just flawed.
It was moldy.
Mic, AKA Michelangelo , encountered the same mental and physical challenges in the painting of The Sistine Chapel ceiling, that you are encountering in you massive rewrite.
He questioned his abilities as a painter (he considered himself first & foremost a sculptor). You “spent a few days dejected and another few days feeling like I needed to stop pretending to be a writer…”
From the Wiki “At the outset, the plaster, intonaco, began to grow mold because it was too wet. Michelangelo had to remove it and start again. He then tried a new formula created by one of his assistants, Jacopo l'Indaco.”
Marnee said “Well, this past week or so, I realized I needed to start over … I’m changing their circumstances because their circumstances didn’t work.”
Marnee , Mic realized that the plaster, ie “the circumstance” he had used as the base of his story was not working. He had to start over. With a new formula. But he was still able to utilize his original sketches and cartoons. Utilize and expand upon …
Wiki “It was customary for fresco painters to use a full-sized detailed drawing, a cartoon, to transfer a design onto a plaster surface – many frescoes show little holes made with a stiletto, outlining the figures. Here Michelangelo broke with convention; once confident the intonaco had been well applied, he drew directly onto the ceiling.”
Like Michelangelo, you are simply Utilizing your original sketches and cartoons (scenes and characters) and expanding upon their original theme.
You should not be questioning your skills, Marnee. You should be applauding them. And realize that you are simply part of a very long line of artists who hold themselves to very high standards.
Its not so much that you are a Writing is Rewriting Writer.
Its … you are a Renaissance Writer!
My opinion.
I spent a few days dejected and another few days feeling like I needed to stop pretending to be a writer and take up mosquito herding or some equally productive hobby
*ROTFL* I know I'm supposed to be horrified and sympathetic (and empathetic) that you've cut basically 40,000 words and are literally back at square one--and believe me, I am--but this line soooo resonated with me. I feel like the Great Pretender most days and feel like I should be doing something more productive with my time. I don't believe mosquito herding has quite come to mind, but it's on that level of futility.
If it makes you feel better, I have my Lucy story--the original one--and it's about 100,000 words (every of it) and this is not counting the 20,000-30,000 words I'd written before over the years getting to that particular draft; and there are rewrites I was doing that is no telling how many words--and I know that particular draft or version of the story of Lucy will never be published (thank God); however, I still love Lucy and Elizabeth, I still want them together. And I will rewrite them, back from Chapter 1, and maybe this time I will get it right. I refuse to believe it's a hopeless case.
There is every hope that now that you know your characters better that the writing for this draft will go faster--and I believe the faster it goes, the more you're on the right track. It's the Jennifer Cruisie Writers/WIPs are like Sharks theory--if the writer stops writing the WIP, the WIP dies. Which I've also had happen repeatedly.
May the writing angels be with you and you churn out many pages over the weekend so you know you're doing the right thing--which you are.
Incidentally I'm up to chapter 14 of my WIP, which I've been to about 3 times now and have chucked several chapters and started up again. Lately I've been considering chucking the whole thing and starting over from Chapter 1; however, I don't think it's the whole thing that's wrong, it's the chapter itself and what the character is doing. (Character is acting out of character.) So instead of rewriting from chapter 1, I'm just chucking chapter 14 and starting from there. Again. For like the 4th time or so. I throw away a lot of shit.
Has my crew been kidnapped? Where are people?
I'm leaving the hotel for Disneyland, Captain!
Ugh, sorry guys. My car died last night and I had to deal with that this morning. Ugh.
Chance - Have fun at Disneyland!! :) Take some pictures!!
I like the term "rehearsal" instead of rewriting. That sounds so much more pleasant. And not quite as much like I failed the first time around.
Donna - I am having a similar problem. I have a couple of ideas for the stories right after this story and honestly, they are sounding much better right now. I'm refusing to fall into that though, because I know when I start writing on those ideas, I'm just going to have to deal with their foibles. So I'm forcing myself to work with this one. It's a fun idea--just like yours--and I love the characters. I think it's going to be great... as soon as I get it out of my head the right way.
Your topic is so timely for me, Marn, that it's startling. I couldn't sleep last night for trying to decide whether to revise or just dump years of work and start fresh. I do believe writing is rewriting. That was my mantra all the years I taught writing classes. But even so, I wonder if there isn't a point where it becomes smarter and more productive just to let a book go.
Jules! Did you really compare me to Michaelangelo?! You are a very flattering and lovely lovely woman. :)
It isn’t the story that you know you are really capable of writing. You’re disappointed in yourself. And you start to question your technique. this is exactly what happened. I know these people. I can feel them. Particularly the heroine. She's right there. But what went before? it wasn't cutting it.
And realize that you are simply part of a very long line of artists who hold themselves to very high standards.
Its not so much that you are a Writing is Rewriting Writer.
Its … you are a Renaissance Writer!
A Renaissance Writer?! Wow. I never thought of that before. :) LOL!! I am trying to push myself though. I feel like I've hit a wall in my progress as a writer. And I feel what it is--this sort of diaphanous film that covers my final products. I can tell at the end that they could have been something more. I need to make sure they get there. I hope this gets me closer to that.
I wish I was at Disneyland. Dang. It's been so long since I've been there. Waaaaaahhh!
Okay, I'm all better now. LOL
Marn, sometimes I wonder if we fight too hard with a particular story, when maybe we DO need to move on to something else. Sometimes we view it as failure when we can't whip something into shape, when maybe it just means this isn't the right story at the moment.
It also can make a comeback in your mind, once you set aside a manuscript. LOL So maybe that's the answering. Writing is such a contrary endeavor!
Aaaugh! "Answer", not "answering". Somebody pour some rum into my coffee cup. Please.
Hellie - I feel like the Great Pretender most days and feel like I should be doing something more productive with my time. I don’t believe mosquito herding has quite come to mind, but it’s on that level of futility. The mosquito herding came a a dark dark time. Trust me. It was all kinds of a low self-esteem day. :(
I've never read Jennie Cruisie's Shark theory. Do you have a link? That sounds interesting. I do think that if you walk away from a book, or put it under the bed, you might as well put a tombstone over it. At least mine feel like that.
Good luck with your rewrite. I've definitely had chapters like that. Hell, I've had books like that.
Marn, this is the link where she says that:
http://www.arghink.com/2010/08/24/maybe-this-time-and-the-turn-of-the-screw/#more-3894
she's talking about her manuscript and the trouble she had writing it. The shark comment is just a "throw-away" line almost, but it really resonated with me. *LOL*
Janga - I think whether to stop on a project or keep plugging away is such a personal thing. I've definitely tucked a few projects away. (See above for tombstone reference. :) ) I usually test out whether to stop by walking away for a few weeks. And I always write something else, just to see if I just needed a "break" instead of a "break-up."
((Hugs))) never an easy decision.
Donna - maybe it just means this isn’t the right story at the moment. exactly. Sort of like that guy you date who seems like he should be perfect but there just is no chemistry.
Like you, Marn, I don't get a good feel for my characters until I'm a good ways through a draft. I asked readers on my blog how they got to know their characters, and most of them said they didn't really know their characters until they saw them in action.
I have at least one MS drafted that I know I'll have to rewrite completely. (It's a sequel, and I felt like it, so I wrote it—but now, over a year later, I've finally figured out how to fix the major flaws, which will require major changes to some of the story lines. But hey, if I get the first one accepted, I'd be thrilled to do it, right?)
Another writer I know just finished a major rewrite on a book that's always sounded pretty awesome to me. And another writer friend says he always does a complete rewrite after the first draft.
I'm starting a new project without a good feel for the hero at all. I've thought and I've thought and I've thought (and researched, researched, researched, and I'll research some more, since this is set 60+ years ago), but I've come to the conclusion that this might be one character I can't figure out at all until I see what happens in the book.
Problem: I'd anticipated using him as a POV character. So I'm actually thinking I might write the book completely using the other POV character (aiming for about 2/3 of the final anticipated length) and going back and adding his POV scenes/changing some of the written scenes to his POV.
Kudos to you for having the courage to make your story better, even though it's frustrating!
I wish I was at Disneyland too.
And Captain ...
My husband is at home. Sick. And he gets lonelyyyyyy if I'm not fluttering around him like a butterfly flitting around a flowerrrrr.
Big on the EEeeerrrrrr!
Sorry I'm late. It's one of *those* days.
Sigh.
Marn, I am sorry you're having a hard time and I know that feeling of depression and dejection and no one should have to go through that. But I suppose it comes with the territory. And the quill.
I tried I don't know how many times to make that first WIP work. It never would and I finally had to let it go. Which is ironic, since it was actually called LETTING GO. Heh.
*I*, idiot that I am, thought I'd like the revision stage. So far, not my favorite part. Some days are better than others. Right now I'm trying to add more to a short story I finished more than two years ago, and it's much harder than I expected. I've finally figured out the scene I'm trying to force isn't working. I have a new idea, and fingers crossed it will come together this weekend.
I know Nora calls her first draft the POS draft, for piece of shit, but I don't think she scraps it. I could never write 80 to 100K words and then start as if it never happened. Mostly because in my head, it all happened, and I'd never be able to write it again in such a way that made any sense to a new reader.
*I*, idiot that I am, thought I’d like the revision stage. So far, not my favorite part. Some days are better than others. Right now I’m trying to add more to a short story I finished more than two years ago, and it’s much harder than I expected.
You're probably doing the right thing, if you think about it. They always say wait at least 6 weeks before you start revising on a project because you need the distance.
You think TWO YEARS is the right amount of time? LOL! Some of the problem is that the story was finished in my head. I mean, it was finished and submitted a long time ago. Rejected, of course.
Then when I guessed how much I could add to fluff it a bit, I should have guessed more. It's all my fault. I created the situation and I'll have to get myself out of it.
Hi ladies! I can actually comment today - the past two days everytime I try to comment through my phone the submit button disappears!
I'm on the 2nd time I've changed a major plot point in the WIP and had to go back and re-write and make changes so everything still worked. Unfortunately, I've been thinking that everything from chapter 2 on now essentially needs to be redone so I feel your pain!
I'm also having one of *those* days too. Grr.
I'm at kind of the same point, where I'm starting over at the very beginning, and if not fully re-writing each scene, then at least majorily reworking a majority of them.
One thing I've noticed is that it is SOOOO comforting to see that there's already 85k words written. I might have to rewrite a good majority of those, but they're THERE. I'm not overwhelmed by the idea of writing a whole novel, because the novel itself is done. Now I'm just....well....rewriting.
The other thing I've noticed is that this is the first time I've done this. In the past, I've finished a novel and either posted it to a fanfic site as is, or shoved it under the bed. this is the first time that I've been purposely rewriting from the beginning.
Anyway, not sure what I'm trying to say. I find it daunting, but not nearly as much so as writing a whole new project from scratch. Probably just because I KNOW these characters now, and I have such a better handle on what I want the overall book to look like. I know the plot, I know the characters, now it's just a matter of getting the words exactly right.
Hal, I think I know what you're saying -- even if you're going to rewrite the majority of the 85k, it still FEELS like you've got all the wordcount done. It's not like starting with "Chapter 1" and 400 blank pages after it. LOL
Marn, I'm laughing at the tombstone reference. It feels appropriate for a couple of my early manuscripts. Except maybe they ought to be cremated, just to be on the safe side. LOL
"The first draft is just you telling yourself the story." This quote is one of my favorites. I figute once I know the story, then I can make it better.
Awesome blog!
Di
That is an awesome quote, Di. I think of the first draft as telling the story, then the rest is actually writing it better. But the story is told, it's happened.
I forgot to say, I also take a bit longer to get to know my characters. But since I haven't written many things, I'm finding that the ones who germinate in my brain longer are easier to figure out. By the time I get to the next book, which already has pictures, a soundtrack, and some character summaries done, I think I'm going to know the characters much better.
Then again, who knows?!
We interrupt this blog post for a special ice cream news bulletin . . .
Ben and Jerry's Bostom Cream Pie ice cream
*swoon*
It's essentially Boston Cream Pie, but in ice cream. YUM!
Okay, back to our regularly scheduled programming. :)
I am also having one of those days too. It hasn't been better since this morning. Sorry, guys. My internet (along with phone and cable) died for a couple hours. I'm back on line now.
:(
Jordan - I do the POV character issue a few times before, usually with scenes. I think a scene'll work in one POV and then at the end, I end up rewriting from the other POV.
And your two CPs with their different preferences just goes to show how everyone does it different. It can work any way.
ARE YOU SERIOUS? I love B&J and I love Boston Cream Pie. (You're not trying to pass off that yogurt boston cream pie garbage are you? This is REAL ice cream, right?) I wonder if Columbia has it.
My favorite for a long time was Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk...YUM.
Hellie, I just doublechecked and it is ice cream, not frozen yogurt. :)
Here's a pic for you: http://www.benjerry.com/flavors/our-flavors/#product_id=158
Jules, hope your hubby feels better soon. :(
Bo'sun - I know you had a hard time letting go of Letting Go. But just look what happened when you did! You finished your next story in record time! See, that makes me want to just get going again.
And I think I might have some difficulty with the whole not being able to forget the first write through. I already am having a hard time seeing through what I already wrote. We'll see how it goes.
I think 2 years sounds like a right amount of time. I think I might use some of the ideas from my first completed MS in my next story. After the one I still have to rewrite. :)
I'm not a B&J girl. But now I want my chocolate Haagen Dasz for dinner.
Must. Resist. (My jeans are finally fitting better...)
Hi Scape! A fellow rewriter! See, I'm not alone! I love you guys. Just when I'm thinking I am a hopeless case, I find you guys are going through the same stuff and I don't feel so bad at all.
Hal - I know the plot, I know the characters, now it’s just a matter of getting the words exactly right.
Wow, that's quite a way of putting it. Maybe that is true. I mean, I have the 40K already. I could just tweak it entirely. I think it is a little comforting to know those words are there, even if I don't use them entirely.
Marn - I'd definitely leave the words there. I've found that if I just open a new file, call it "the new scene" and write only what I need, I feel better about it. Then I can plug it in where it goes and I'm not starting from scratch. Not really.
I'm totally with Hal on this pass is just getting the words exactly right. Or rather, a later pass will be. LOL! This pass is taking out the scenes that need to go, putting in the scenes that need added, and tweaking the rest so it's all coherent.
Terri, ice cream is an excellent source of CALCIUM. Sure, your jeans might fit better if you don't eat it. But how will they look if you end up with a dowager's hump? :)
I totally agree about opening a new file -- I use that mind game, er, technique ALL the time. It takes off the pressure.
Donna - Mind games are important. Like the ice cream one your trying to play on me.
*gives international sign for "I'm watching you"*
Capt Cha Code seems to be playing mind games with me now. Mmm.
*gives international sign for “I’m watching you”*
*gives international sign for "I'm not doing anything"*
:)
Donna - Except maybe they ought to be cremated, just to be on the safe side. hahahahha!!!
Di - I love that quote as well! :)
Bo'sun - I need a soundtrack/pictures/etc. I just don't seem to think like that. If I did, I bet it'd make it easier for me.
Marn, I think your red pen up there inspired me -- I'm actually printing out this manuscript that I'm doing some editing/revising on -- so I can use my red pen to make edits.
Either that or I've got a new HOA trick up my sleeve. LOL
Marn - That is your assignment for the weekend. Find some songs that will match your characters at different parts of the story. I know yours is an historical, but I think you could pick modern songs with the right twist.
Like that new Sara Bareillis song. That's perfect for my heroine when she's finally had enough of her fiance and his brother (the hero) making decisions for her. That song is perfect for her moment of getting a back bone.
Ben and Jerry's Boston Cream Pie? That sounds.... perfect for this day.
Bo'sun - I agree. I'm going to keep the other draft open, just for more support. Though I find when I try to revise (literally going through with my delete button at the ready) makes me focus on word choice instead of overall plot issues. So a blank page with old draft back up works best right now, I think.
Ter - Like that new Sara Bareillis song. That’s perfect for my heroine when she’s finally had enough of her fiance and his brother (the hero) making decisions for her. That song is perfect for her moment of getting a back bone.
I will take your challenge! Songs. That's what I'm going to try to focus on some this weekend.
And I LOVE that Sara Bareilles song. Sooooo awesome.
Donna - GO YOU with the red pen! Happy editing!
If I did, I bet it’d make it easier for me.
This statement is so cute and always makes me laugh. I just want to say, "Bless her heart." Nothing ever really makes writing easier. But the "grass on the other side" techniques other people do always seem to appear that way to us.
Don't worry. We're all suffering. We'll all get to The End eventually though and have a really great manuscript.
LOL! You're probably right. I suspect nothing makes it "easy." :)
Do I still have to look for songs, Ter? I admit I'm already a little nervous. I'm not good at this.... :)
I admit, the songs sort of find me. How about three songs? One for the hero, one for the heroine, and one for a crucial scene, either the love scene or the black moment. That should give you enough specifics to zone in.
And if you want some help, give me a hollar.
Hellie - You need to remember the term "easier" is a relative one. LOL! "Easier" and "easy" are not the same thing!
Ack! I go away for the day and we're back in the 'nothing is ever easy' energy doldrum! NO! Sometimes, it's easy! You just have to recognize it!
And I love the tombstone reference. Considering I rode the Haunted House ride and they have it all done up with elements from "The Nightmare Before Christmas" so all the tombstones were gift wrapped! You can never tell what is buried and considering the popularity of zombie fiction...I wouldn't count of buried meaning anything!
Hee, hee!
Bo'sun used to work in music, she thinks in music, and doesn't understand why anyone wouldn't own an iPod. Even I think three songs is a bit overwhelming if you don't think in music. *LOL* And I do do soundtracks for my stories sometimes, but I discover the songs as I write or I put something together AFTER that fits the overall pictures. (The same way that I plot or storyboard--it usually works better after the fact.)
Though, yes, "easy" and "easier" are two different things.
Honestly I think what a song does for a book is that it gives you a mantra. You hear the song over and over again, and it puts you in tune with your story. It's why I don't think you need a whole soundtrack. One song could do it if it's the right song. But if you get tired of hearing the same song on repeat, it helps if you expand your selection. *LOL*
Oh, and I've noticed with other authors who do "soundtracks"--they like to repeat songs from other books. Oh, they'll have key songs that fit the hero/ine or situation, but use the same love song over and over for the sex scene. *LOL* Which totally makes sense to me.
Right now I listen to the Twilight soundtracks when I write. They have absolutely nothing to do with my story that I know; the music itself just settles my mind to concentrate on the story. That's all.
But if you've already found your three songs and your Muse has returned, never mind...
Is it really necessary to talk about me like I'm not here? It's not like I said "Give me three songs right this second!" I simply suggested she listen to some music over the weekend and see if she can find three songs that represent characters or moments in her book. You don't have to be a disc jockey for a song or lyric to catch your ear.
Post a Comment