I think I am going to spend as long revising Renegade (24K) as I did revising The Ransomed Returning (124K). The poor novella needs a lot more help than the novel does. Maybe you faithful blog readers remember how I wrote Renegade in a furious push as a challenge during the month of October. I wrote 18 of the 24K that month, which is way more than I've ever written in a month.
And it shows. I'm about to cut out an entire ten page scene because it really just doesn't work. At all. Good news, though. The scene I'm writing to replace it kicks butt! I must say I am very excited about the changes that I'm making. It's going to be so much better when I'm done. (Thanks to a great critique!)
Still, it annoys me to have to put so much time into revision. A story this length should only take two or three days to revise. Not a week or more. I think in the long run, it just wasn't worth it to write so fast and furious.I know some people like to write like that and fix everything while revising. I am not one of them.
So, no more speed writing feats for me! I suppose you have to put the time in somewhere and personally, I prefer to put it in while writing rather than revising.
But, hey, Renegade is about to get way more awesome, so I really can't complain.
16 comments:
*hugs* And good luck!
Good luck with your revision.
Interesting and valuable observations about speed writing!
Sounds like you have a plan going in, and that always helps. Good luck and have fun!
I have recently been at a very similar place with my work and so I relate to how difficult it can be, but also how grateful you can be for the knowledge that it needs work. Does that make sense? Yes, revision may be needed but at least we have that little voice guiding us. That is how great things come to pass.
Have fun with that! I'm still in the beginning of revising my story, but I'm adding in another point of view. I guess I'm going to be doing writing and revising simultaneously!
I really hope to read some of your writing sometime. By the way you write here on your blog, I bet your manuscripts are great reads.
I'm learning a lot about myself and my writing pace as I embark on my third novel, and I agree with you. A hectic writing pace is just not productive for me.
Hey, everyone. Thanks for the encouragement. I always know I can count on my bloggy friends for support! The revision is plugging along.
I'm with you. I'd much rather go slow and do as much right the first time through, but revisions can be fun when you get to see the story transform!
great attitude! Revisions only make them stronger. Hang in there~ :o) <3
Everyone has their own methods and needs. It's good you've had this experience and know what does and does NOT work for you! Can't wait to read it!
I have to speed write and do major revisions later. If I don't allow myself to just sink into the MC's head, I can't get his/her voice to truly come out.
But like Ali said, everyone has their own methods.
Happy revising!
Ugh, I know what you mean. It's a tanglier mess when you go back to fix it! :)
♥.•*¨ Me! ¨*•.♥
I had that same situation with my last completed novel, THE CURE. Ended up spending far more time in edits than in (speed) writing the thing.
But it was the quickest I finished the first draft, so that was a benefit that can't be ignored.
Guess I'm on the fence...
Good luck with the revising. It's hard to cut, but that's awesome you wrote something even better and stronger to replace it with. Way to go!
Elizabeth, it is a tangled mess indeed! Todd, that is true. That is the quickest first draft I've done. Stacy, thanks so much. I hope it's a lot stronger when I'm done.
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