Dear Writers
I'm more than halfway through my current manuscript, and I'm coming across something I've never come across before. I'm seeing what major revisions to make to tighten up the piece before I even finish it. There are some characters I want to combine, a few to cut, and some moments to cut, and add.
Usually, when writing, I just plug forward, use the characters I have and try to come to an ending. Then I worry about revision.
But this time it's gnawing at me. I've tried to ignore it and wait until I'm done to make the changes. After all, I'm working without an outline. What if the characters I'm thinking of combining really separate themselves and both become important to the plot?
What if the characters I was going to do away with completely does the same thing?
But, instead, I find myself ignoring these characters, not giving them the depth they need.
And I'm constantly wondering if I should go back and revise before I continue. Will it help me get to the ending I want to get to? Or will it just muck everything up?
What do you think?
Usually, when writing, I just plug forward, use the characters I have and try to come to an ending. Then I worry about revision.
But this time it's gnawing at me. I've tried to ignore it and wait until I'm done to make the changes. After all, I'm working without an outline. What if the characters I'm thinking of combining really separate themselves and both become important to the plot?
What if the characters I was going to do away with completely does the same thing?
But, instead, I find myself ignoring these characters, not giving them the depth they need.
And I'm constantly wondering if I should go back and revise before I continue. Will it help me get to the ending I want to get to? Or will it just muck everything up?
What do you think?
posted by Dave White at 2:12 PM
8 Comments:
I used to do the opposite: re-revising endlessly, stopping myself from getting through that first draft with any linear momentum. Now, there are plenty of things I can let go of in order to get the words out.
No approach is perfect, but I think (hope) the changes in mine signal some sort of evolutionary progress. If you're not outlining, but are able to maintain more of the complete story's structure in your head as you scribble the flesh onto it, that's a good skill to develop, isn't it?
Don't be afraid to go back and revise as you go. It's not your usual process, but it might yield good results this time. Each book is supposed to be a different story after all. Why should your process be the same every time?
My vote is to make notes of all the changes you want to make -- that will let your subconscious let go of them for a while.
Then plug on to the end, minimizing the revisions as you go.
But each to his own. Let us know how it works out!
Go with your gut and win one for the gipper!
Dave,
Sorry to gush, but I *love* your work. I first stumbled upon your writing in "Damn Near Dead" a couple months ago, while I was chasing Duane -- pardon me while I look up the spelling of his last name -- Swierczynski.
I knew I needed more of your stories, and eventually, I managed to track down what you've done to date. (Not so easy when you snuck the first Jackson Donne into the world as a short by "David White"!)
In hopes of boosting your productivity, I'll tell you I've been trying to complete any one of several novels for many years, and revision -- for me, at least -- has been the curse that keeps me from finishing anything. The closest I ever get to piling up the pages is when I write with abandon.
Then again, where you've FINISHED two novels, maybe, as others suggest, this is part of your development, which is probably just fine.
As long as you keep on writing, that's the important thing.
Besides -- who the hell am *I* to give advice?!?!
Henry,
Thanks so much. I really appreciate it. BTW, I think you're right. Sorry the blog hasn't been updated in a while, but I plan on getting back to it real soon.
-Dave
Dave,
Thanks for your kind reply.
Keeping off the blog seems to me like a decent idea for a novelist, if you avoid alternate substitutes. Plus it lends credence to your blog's name ;-)
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