If you’ve ever thought only beginning writers revise their books to death, think again. I’m STILL stuck in the revisions inspired by the complete rethinking of my WIP inspired in part by last weekend’s Jubilee Jumbalaya Conference.
I’m not sure why I keep having so much trouble with this book. I had a serious One Hundred Page Hiccup. Now I’m having a near-lethal Two Hundred Page Hiccup. There are structural problems, problems with motivation and information flow, problems with character introduction, development and portrayal (specifically of the bad guys). Actually, there is little that was right with this book.
So far I’ve redone the first 75 pages, and although it still needs some smoothing, I THINK it’s working this time. Now, on to the next segment. I’ve spent more time revising this book than some people spend writing books. I’ve always been a slow writer, although not usually such an inept one.
Hopefully, once I get this all under control the last half of the book will go smoothly and quickly. I am already so far behind on my self-imposed deadline it’s not even funny. But more about that in another post. Now, off to revise…
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6 comments:
As an as-yet-unpublished writer, I SO don't want to hear this. I had hopes things would get easier as I got more practice writing books.
Good luck in getting past the 200-page bump. Wish I could have gone to the Jubilee since it was so useful to even you.
I feel the reverse of Shauna :-) It's helps to know that all writers struggle no matter how good. Not that I would wish it on anyone. Hope it all falls into place swiftly and to your satisfaction!
From suffering all great art is born. Or some such nonsense. ;)
"Actually, there is little that was right with this book."
I very seriously doubt that! I'm sure there is plenty that is right with it and you're just having trouble seeing it right now. Thank you for sharing with those of us who are unpublished, that even some one as experienced as you are can have problems.
I hope you do a post with the epiphany that pulls it all together. You'll have it, I'm sure.
Hang in there, hon. Remember; revisions = improvements (or some such...)
I'm in that same troubled boat with you, and it sucks. No way I'm getting out either, not without major story-surgery...
What's that old Zen proverb? "After five hundred victories, still a beginner"?
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