tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post8422284669921434445..comments2023-10-30T09:00:07.439-05:00Comments on A Walk In My Shoes: Is A Good Polish Enough?Susan R. Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578747592345750650noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-82590913906941989372010-01-29T11:38:31.214-06:002010-01-29T11:38:31.214-06:00I have a "shelf" book that I've look...I have a "shelf" book that I've looked at from time to time and wondered how much I would have to do to fix it. I haven't had the heart to do the major rewrites because the stories I've written since I felt so much better about. I do a LOT of revising on my stories, usually adding in because I tend to write pretty spare.Sherrie Petersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11670339498152684137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-23807122279332422752010-01-28T13:26:31.279-06:002010-01-28T13:26:31.279-06:00I like your ideas on this.I like your ideas on this.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04505675063769786300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-64170261730754484502010-01-28T11:40:45.012-06:002010-01-28T11:40:45.012-06:00I'm doing some pretty major rewriting. I'v...I'm doing some pretty major rewriting. I've realized I have some scenes that add some details I want in the story, but don't actually move the plot forward. So, I'm working on that.Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-76521049821524097252010-01-28T11:30:16.277-06:002010-01-28T11:30:16.277-06:00I tend to keep going and going, but you're rig...I tend to keep going and going, but you're right -- eventually we have to come to a point where enough is enough, and it's time to start over. It's just so hard to say 'goodbye' to a scene sometimes!Faithhttp://www.boughanfire.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-55589307898834440712010-01-28T10:42:14.935-06:002010-01-28T10:42:14.935-06:00The delete button and I are friends. I've cut ...The delete button and I are friends. I've cut 6000 or so words and that's all before page 55. So I'd say I'm no afraid of it, I do keep it in a seperate doc, "the reject pile"<br /><br />I think when I read it over and I think - what the heck does that have to do with the plot/story - then it goes. I'll always add more to the scene though or whole new ones. Just depends - Happy revising ;o)erica m. chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14773306703153110737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-90300029870955591812010-01-28T08:52:50.160-06:002010-01-28T08:52:50.160-06:00A few months ago, I came across the original versi...A few months ago, I came across the original version of my novel. I was shocked how DIFFERENT it had been. I didn't do the changes all at once, but by the time it was sold, it was soooo different. AND I haven't even begun actual edits w/ the house yet. Amazing.Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-3840004904943671972010-01-27T23:32:49.017-06:002010-01-27T23:32:49.017-06:00fortunately for me, my background is in screenwrit...fortunately for me, my background is in screenwriting so it was driven in me that each scene must have a purpose, reveal new information, turn the story, etc.<br /><br />I hope as I continue to write prose this part comes naturally for me...<br /><br />much loveStacey J. Warnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059617724860253448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-88786728971737987402010-01-27T19:39:36.957-06:002010-01-27T19:39:36.957-06:00Once I feel that the story is changing, I know I h...Once I feel that the story is changing, I know I have done enough revisions.<br />Oh, I polish no shoes. Only furniture.Angie Muresanhttp://www.angiemuresan.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-23569895154432439422010-01-27T17:22:46.840-06:002010-01-27T17:22:46.840-06:00I've been through lots of manuscripts doing th...I've been through lots of manuscripts doing the very same thing. When you reached the end, did you decide to keep it? I had one story that I tossed out after I wrote five chapters because it just wasn't going anywhere. I kept some of my charactger sketches but I got bored with it.Clementinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08745982305618408952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-78666654704589348382010-01-27T14:45:17.946-06:002010-01-27T14:45:17.946-06:00My problem is I just keep polishing and polishing ...My problem is I just keep polishing and polishing and polishing. I never know when to stop.Veronica and Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-16811961756660362562010-01-27T12:36:27.819-06:002010-01-27T12:36:27.819-06:00I think the further along we are in the editing pr...I think the further along we are in the editing process the more willing we are to toss those things that just aren't working.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-51324267799342383422010-01-27T12:22:57.732-06:002010-01-27T12:22:57.732-06:00I'm doing some light cleanup to the first chap...I'm doing some light cleanup to the first chapter for my critique group next week. My first run with a second pair of eyes. <br /><br />Revising has been an eye opener. Alot has gotten tossed, and for good reason. If there isn't any tension of conflict, I slice and dice for sure.Tamika:https://www.blogger.com/profile/04874834971492028558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-72664232592128632312010-01-27T12:15:27.207-06:002010-01-27T12:15:27.207-06:00*hugs* Rewriting is more difficult, I think, than ...*hugs* Rewriting is more difficult, I think, than the original writing part. I'm a bare bones writer, so I usually have to flesh things out more than I have to cut.<br /><br />*cookies*Danyelle L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10366276085080565870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-40533351308166782762010-01-27T12:02:44.882-06:002010-01-27T12:02:44.882-06:00For me cutting is both painful and freeing. Often ...For me cutting is both painful and freeing. Often I'll get so wrapped up that something HAS to happen a certain way, I can't see past it. But once I do thanks to CPs, I can chop it and I feel so free because the story didn't fall apart, and lo and behold, there's an opportunity to make it work even better!Angela Ackermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808259088625142389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-71618377286970507902010-01-27T11:44:58.437-06:002010-01-27T11:44:58.437-06:00Generally I cut things after reading it through a ...Generally I cut things after reading it through a few times AND seeing what my critique group says. They've helped me narrow my focus in my stories (because sometimes my plot is messy and goes all over the place) and point me to what I need to work on.Darahttp://inthewritemind.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-4024102553633385272010-01-27T11:42:13.666-06:002010-01-27T11:42:13.666-06:00how do you feel about the changes?how do you feel about the changes?Shelli (srjohannes)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17123227845032402600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-62361347962594723712010-01-27T09:28:30.221-06:002010-01-27T09:28:30.221-06:00I rewrote about half of my last manuscript. I kne...I rewrote about half of my last manuscript. I knew where it needed to be changed, and like you, I know revising wouldn't be enough. It paid off in the end though! I hope it will for you too.Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00861022355718378425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-76270020100608421252010-01-27T00:41:04.279-06:002010-01-27T00:41:04.279-06:00Could you please bottle all that energy and effort...Could you please bottle all that energy and effort and then send me some? My goodness. How hard you are working - and how your book will reflect that effort.Midlife Roadtripperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06700277803842883251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-26477080049773867272010-01-26T22:39:20.832-06:002010-01-26T22:39:20.832-06:00You really seem to have it together, a method, a s...You really seem to have it together, a method, a system and it keeps self improving. <br />Where as for me, I never know what's going to happen. When I sit down to write my mind goes where it will and I'm often surprised at what comes pouring out of me.<br />But yes, it's all about the editing and I find myself compulsively pulled back to the computer until I'm satisfied. My brain won't shut up and will keep revising all evening long. It's a little much to function as a mom while this is going on, but it's how I like it. <br />I will just keep writing then,and if there's a book in it, it will be decided by those forces. My job is to show up. <br />Love your posts, <br />JunoJuno Californiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17683882584688134499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-50910222492272073732010-01-26T22:06:20.048-06:002010-01-26T22:06:20.048-06:00You amaze me-- you really have it all together, an...You amaze me-- you really have it all together, and you posit wonderful questions. I would say it's pretty much about your gut instinct on what's working and what isn't. Stepping outside yourself to read with a critical eye... Great post, as always.Leah Rubinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13748324754530747231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-4114652289070841942010-01-26T18:56:29.723-06:002010-01-26T18:56:29.723-06:00Put it away for two days. During that time, do no...Put it away for two days. During that time, do not let yourself work on it, not one bit. Brainstorm a bunch of other story ideas, poetry, whatever.<br /><br />Then, read your WIP all the way through. What resonates? what is begging for you to fix? If the thought of having to go through it again is overwhelming, give yourself more fun writing, idea gathering time.<br /><br />Shelleystoryqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07039684494823420722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-49054357302881680762010-01-26T18:19:24.016-06:002010-01-26T18:19:24.016-06:00My crit group rules. They are the only way I keep ...My crit group rules. They are the only way I keep my sanity. Without them I would be re-writing rewrites and be bald. For sure. : )Kimberly Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13957037411750752950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-66803508625668601822010-01-26T17:43:57.541-06:002010-01-26T17:43:57.541-06:00WOW ... you're doing an awesome job! I can...WOW ... you're doing an awesome job! I can't wait to hear about the end-product once you're done with your revisions ... it's going to be fantastic!Kelly H-Yhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07324529762031928328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-80117903502223325732010-01-26T17:40:43.077-06:002010-01-26T17:40:43.077-06:00I hear you talking my pal. I had problems with Sev...I hear you talking my pal. I had problems with Seventy Two Hours like this. When I wrote it, I thought it was really good. When I went in to revise I noticed there was a lot of CRAPOLA. So I had to go in and fix and fix and fix. But it turned out GREAT. And now I will query in Feb.. So it's all worth the effort and frustration isn't it Susan? <br /><br />And to answer your question, when I read a scene and it just seems tired or it drags or it seems like author intrusion(which I do a lot of). I toss it and begin fresh. I mean I delete it. Get rid of it. And it is something that I just know is the right thing to do. Like a hunch, intuition or whatever. Great post and thanks for helping us by showing us that we all go through the same door on this road we;re on. You sharing your experience is making us better writers. :-)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-63569589421431162752010-01-26T16:21:07.413-06:002010-01-26T16:21:07.413-06:00Since I've just scrapped about 43% of my curre...Since I've just scrapped about 43% of my current WIP, I feel your pain. Something things just aren't working and aren't going to start working no matter what you do, so you've got to make a change.<br /><br />I think you're write about rewriting scenes that would take too much time to revise. I hadn't thought of that aspect before, but there certainly are potential diminishing returns.Kelsey (Dominique) Ridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10646757546422013401noreply@blogger.com