Once I have revised it and got down a full, organized draft, I will send it off to my critique partners, and then the process of revision will be begin again after I have their feedback. (Why do you need critique partners, you ask? Why can't you just finish a story on your own and get it published? Whoo boy, well that is a whole other topic post. Trust me. You need them.)
For those of you beginning the revision process, here are some words of advice from Terry Brooks' Sometimes the Magic Works:
"If you are ever completely satisfied with something you have written, you are setting your sights too low. But if you can't let go of your material even after you have done the best that you can with it, you are setting your sights too high" (196).
How do you know when to stop revising and pronounce your story done? I don't have an answer, but I think I'll know the place when I get to it. Best of luck in your writing, and have fun with your revisions, friends!
This post is part of the Insecure Writer's Support Group hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Check the link for some of the other blogs participating in this event!
In other news: Join me at TV Geek Army today where I'm posting about Once Upon a Time and Disney, a topic I briefly touched on here a few weeks ago. If you're watching the show, stop by and say hi!
Setting your sights too low - funny!
ReplyDeleteI'm done revising when I start changing things back to the way they were in the first draft. I come full circle and I know I've gone too far!
You can do it. You are a revising machine. Just keep telling yourself that.
Man, do I know that feeling. My NaNo project from last year (I didn't win this year :( ) still sits and awaits more revisions, plot hole filling, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if you have a decent handle on what needs to be done...just a matter of doing it :)
Good luck with your writing!
Good luck with revisions! And that's a great quote from Terry Brooks. I tend to stop revising when I'm just tinkering with sentences. I'll change it one way and then back again and still not sure if it's the way I want it. By that time, it's time to let go. It's done.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the revisions and look forward to getting to read it ;)
ReplyDeleteI have never known when to stop revising and editing which is probably why I never truly pronounce a story as 'done'... I'm guessing that means my sights are set too high. =)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your revisions.
I am so excited to start on my rewriting. I basically have a 50k idea written down, and now it's time to tell the story!
ReplyDeleteI was pleased with the last thing I had to edit down...it was a real challenge, I have found the editing process to negatively affect the writing in some rare instances. So to cut back something that you've poured a lot of love into can be very hard...to get it to a point where its at the right number but still is enjoyable as a story leaves me feeling proud. But I have had a story that had to be so brutally edited that it was left stunted and...frankly rubbish. Thats when it really sucks :(
ReplyDeleteThat is my favorite part of the writing process, kind of like claywork. It's hard to make the clay, but once it's there, you can mold it however you like. And I bet your NaNo is going to look stunning with that sleeves-rolled-up polish. :)
ReplyDeleteI have rewriting - I'm no good at it! I'm better at getting the story down, but I suck at revision. :(
ReplyDeleteI loathe it. I really do. I don't think I'll ever be satisfied. :(
ReplyDeleteI like editing. I just never know when enough is enough :) I think I could edit and rewrite forever!
ReplyDeleteI'm just starting edits again, so I am liking it right now, but I know I will loathe it once I am truly sick of my WIP. After so much drafting in November, editing is fun. Good luck with your tangles.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I LOVE revising. So much more than crafting a new story. I think it might be opposite than most! :-)
ReplyDeleteWoah! Don't you need to take a bit of a break first?
ReplyDeleteI second Morgan -- once I have the first draft out in all the little words, it's easier to work from there.
I have to admit I've never completed NaNo. This year I didn't try because of thesis. Every previous year too many things came up during the month (EXAMS EXAMS EXAMS). Maybe next year. For reals this time, maybe next year.
I'm just about to dive-in to the first revision of my 3rd book. I've let it sit for a couple months now...and its time. Not my favorite part of writing though.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to get feedback from CPs and beta readers. Everyone likes and dislikes different things, so you can't please everyone, but it helps making your story more well rounded. Happy editing!
ReplyDeleteI dislike revising, too. There are always so many holes and problems the story tends to feel insurmountable.
ReplyDeletethere is always room for improvement! a better way to say something, a scene to enhance whats there...when you read your story like a book and forget to scrutinze the words, you're done. or! if when your editor tells you... or! when you are sick of editing it (and i mean sick!! not just tired!) a!
ReplyDeletebut yes, you will know! good plan & quote!
After finally getting up the courage to send my work out, I'm realizing just how much I really need CP's. Lord, have mercy! It's humbling.
ReplyDelete