Butt in chair, an example.
You’ve heard me complain about the upcoming edits of my novel. Not only will my novel take a major turn around page 137, and i’m not sure where that turn will go, but a supporting character has to have a complete personality makeover. These thoughts put my revisions to a grinding halt.
When I had lunch with Jim Kelly at TrinocCon last month, he mentioned that when I went to Viable PAradise I’d want to workshop the thing I most wanted to publish- my novel. This prospect meant I’d have to rewrite the first 10,000 words. Ugh.
But no, thought I. If I have to rewrite it after the workshop anyway, why rewrite it at all? My wise husband put a stop to that real fast: why waste my valuable critique on stuff that I already know?
Hugo-winning author: “Mur, this character’s personality is too much like the main character’s. There’s no spark or conflict there.”
I know.
Locus-award-winning author: “Mur, your opening is too weak.”
I know.
Tor editor: “Mur, you have an infodump here.”
I know.
The deadline to get workshop material in is Tuesday (and I’m praying it’s a “postmarked by” deadline, not a “received by”). So yesterday I sat down with the wretched hard copy and my notebook, filled with notes as per Holly Lisle’s revision advice.
Once I got my butt into the chair, it actually went pretty smoothly. I added some spice to the bland character. I made the beginning more interesting. I injected info where some was needed, and removed part of an info dump. And when my newly made character zigged when she was supposed to zag, I just wrote it in. She wants to storm out instead of see the exciting thing that happens at the end of Chapter Three? All right. I’ll deal.
I edited the full 10K words down to 8,800 words in two days, and I feel really good about the direction it’s going. Sure, the workshop will likely rip it to pieces. And then this fall I’ll rewrite it again.
All I want for Christmas is a manuscript I’m proud to send to agents. That’s not too much to ask, is it? I mean, I’m not asking for an agent. I just want to be happy with my own work. Agents are the step beyond that.
Anyway, butt in chair. It works. Really.
About the Author: I am a writer and podcast producer, writing for magazines and RPGs. I am a wanna-be fiction writer with several short fiction, comic scripts, and one novel sale. Playing For Keeps will be out August, '08.
MCLyd | Aug 13, 2006 | Reply
Mur, glad to see you’re back working on the edits of your novel. I’m rooting for you to finish it.
Shawn | Aug 14, 2006 | Reply
Mur,
Thank you for sharing. Your diligent self-flagellation in the face of pressure is an example for all of us wannabes.
Good luck,
Shawn
PS: Good job on Pseudopod; I really enjoyed the first issue.
tpcomputerman | Aug 14, 2006 | Reply
Glad to hear you’re back to the edits too. I had something simular in my book where I killed a character then later regreted it. In the second draft he came back to like (well, not back to life, just didn’t kill him) but it caused me to do a lot of major re-writes, so many I wondered if maybe he would have been better dead.
Jonathan Sherwood | Aug 17, 2006 | Reply
If anyone keeps a journal, I’ve found it’s a really good way to get your butt in the chair. Start writing in it about anything, including your lack of being able to write. I’ve found when I do that I end up spewing about the plot knots and poor character motivations until I’m suddenly working them out on paper. More often than not, I have to cut the journal short because I can’t wait to tackle the story again.
Robin L. | Aug 17, 2006 | Reply
I’m so glad to hear that you’re back at work on your rewrites. I know you’ll get it figured out!!
Diane | Aug 31, 2006 | Reply
This is what I need to do is just in and write. It’s the only way to make it and if I die my own I sill be stuck for sure. I want to be a southern writter. I’ve known this for sure! But to have to inquire things about me!!! My daughter is 23 and wonders about what I can put in there. I promise it will be good. If my son, Chris doesn’t get out of the crossbar motel I don’t know what I’d do with it!!!
diane
Maybe this will help