Comments on The WriteRunner: Revision Reschmision

A handmade trackback since I can't figure out how ...

2010-02-08T15:56:59.274-08:00

A handmade trackback since I can't figure out how to do it the official way. :) I mentioned this article at my blog in a january in review post. Cheers! - Corra McFeydon

I think style and story are equally important, but...

2010-01-12T13:44:08.415-08:00

I think style and story are equally important, but from a purely practical standpoint, you should edit for story before you edit for style. It's just easier that way.

Actually the one-shot revision is apparently somet...

2010-01-11T11:14:02.623-08:00

Actually the one-shot revision is apparently something you learn after the course. So I'm not exactly sure what this is...mostly a series of lessons on how to sharpen your inner editor.
I do think I need to have another WIP to stop from going crazy, but I'm spending all my time on this revision.
I am starting to get a lot of ideas on how to sharpen the conflict and improve the story...but I worry that I may need to cut huge chunks of the story and I'm analyzing scenes that might not make it.
It's a pretty good exercise though. I'll keep you all updated.

Remember nothing is pretty when you're two inches ...

2010-01-11T03:40:35.418-08:00

Remember nothing is pretty when you're two inches from its face. The novel is going to look horrific when you look that close, and unfortunately we have to look that close. But your readers will be looking from further back - and through different eyes.

Don't get discouraged. Your blog alone shows you have talent. ;)

All the best,
Corra
from the desk of a writer

Remember to write down what is good in your story ...

2010-01-10T14:38:29.351-08:00

Remember to write down what is good in your story too. It helps when you're staring at your book going "This is terrible. Throw it away completely. Better, burn it!"

I've spent the entire morning wanting to burn my book, then I go back and reread worksheet 1C, what I want my book to be and realize again I can get there. Focus on the good, take a deep breath, then hack away again.

Megs - Scattered Bits

One of my novels required a lot of revision and I ...

2010-01-08T22:50:37.117-08:00

One of my novels required a lot of revision and I went over and over it making major and minor changes. You remember that phrase, "analysis paralysis"? After constant re-reading and reviewing the story felt so stale that eventually nothing about it satisfied me. I finally abandoned it for a year and moved on to something else.

Of course I hope this won't be the case for you. I think such courses are wonderful learning experiences but the resulting "information overload" can be discouraging sometimes. Be forewarned. I like Jamie D's comment about working on something new on the side to keep your creativity alive and give you something else to focus on besides revision.

Good luck with the course. I'll be interested in hearing your evaluation later.

Carol

I'm taking the same course - just started, actuall...

2010-01-08T12:22:39.870-08:00

I'm taking the same course - just started, actually. I'm enjoying it so far, despite the amount of work. But I've been finding solutions as well as problems, so that might make a different. I can imagine it would be more difficult without a concrete "image" of what you want it to be in your head.

Are you working on anything new as you go through this? I have another draft that I'll be starting once I get past the first few time-intensive lessons, and my blog serial that keep me writing new words regularly. I find that helps a lot to keep me focused on the big picture, and not the tearing apart of my draft in revision...

Good luck! :-)

Ouch! If you've been combing your manuscript for ...

2010-01-08T11:47:53.750-08:00

Ouch!

If you've been combing your manuscript for five weeks, it hardly seems to clarify as a one shot revision. I would be worn down from so much heavy thinking too!

You'll have to let us know how this progresses, as I've often considered something like this. Though I actually wanted to do the boot camp thing over a weekend.

Good luck!

:) I think next week I move from plot analysis to ...

2010-01-08T09:53:02.624-08:00

:)
I think next week I move from plot analysis to character analysis...which I actually think will be more productive since I know they need work.

I say you take a snow day from calculating and jus...

2010-01-08T09:24:54.811-08:00

I say you take a snow day from calculating and just go play with your characters for a day. You've earned it!