I pretty much have enough existing projects to last me a lifetime. While there are some that are firmly in the vault or graveyard or whatever, there are others I still love and sometimes think about pulling out. I wonder if I can breathe new life into them, since I've grown a lot as a writer since the first attempts.
And now that I'm actually rewriting a project, that urge has hit even stronger. I had NO IDEA how enjoyable rewriting would be. Yes, I'm fully aware that previous statement sounds insane, but it's amazing! I would have rewritten much sooner if I'd known how well it would work for me. It combines my favorite aspects of first drafting and revisions into one uber writing activity.
It's official—I'm a huge fan of rewrites. (It's okay if you're cursing me right now. I would be too.)
This leads to a dilemma, though. If you are willing to rewrite—nay, excited by the very idea of completely overhauling an MS from scratch—then what is worthy of that much time and effort? Which ideas should be revisited? Which weren't strong enough and might still be weak?
Do you rewrite what you love most? Or the one that may be more popular in the current market?
Or should you just suppress the rewrite urge entirely? Should you move forward with brand new ideas and let those old flames die?
These aren't hypothetical questions, by the way. I really want to know what you think.
I'm in the middle of revising my first novel right now, and what I ended up doing was revising the characters. That is, in my current revision, I created two new characters who didn't exist in the first draft, because it felt like something was missing in the original plot. And even though it created a lot more work for me, it was fun because then there were two new people I got to "meet" and observe what they contributed to the story.
ReplyDeleteoooh i am not a fan of rewriting. maybe add a scene here or there, or zazz up a character - but an overhaul? not if i can help it.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing wrong with rewriting something, though, if the urge strikes you. It's probably your muse giving you a hint
You know, I think I'm going to end up being one of those authors who likes rewrites too.
ReplyDeleteAnd isn't it AWESOME to think you have a whole life/career's worth of good ideas ALREADY?! I do too, and it makes me giddy.
That said, how do you know which ones to rewrite and which ones to let die? I think it has to do with a combination of passion and market-feel (new term :P). Do you have the passion to keep working on it, or will it burn you out? Does the market want it, or will it go ignored? I think mapping those two gives a good axis that you can use to gauge whether or not it's worth your time and energy.
Now how you get the answers to *those* questions, I don't know. :P
Rewriting is the only way I can write decently. I usually start with a notebook for the first draft, and type it onto the computer when I'm finished, rewriting as I go.
ReplyDeleteI found that it makes my writing improve naturally, makes me more aware of common mistakes that I make. Going back over writing you've done in the past is a great way to avoid making the same mistakes over and over, in my opinion.
I'm rewriting my first book. The problem I'm struggling with is in deciding when to decide that your book cannot be saved and it's time to move on.
ReplyDeleteI've been rewriting my second trunked novel for a few months now, and I love it! Of course, I've had to chop it up and revamp the entire thing, but the plot has remained essentially the same.
ReplyDeleteActually, it's been kind of a relief to only have to worry about voice and style in this rewrite, not plot. I'd also like to revisit the characters from my first trunked novel, but the plot needs work, so it might take me some time.
Great post!
Definitely rewrite something you love. Current market trends don't stay current for long, and you'll end up publishing a novel at least a year or more after it's finished and accepted, so the trends will have changed. The passion for the work (I think, anyway) is what makes something sparkle, so I'd definitely rewrite the projects you love!
ReplyDeleteAnd on the rewriting vs. new ideas question, I think it's about balance. I don't see any reason to drop something you love entirely, but if you're only rewriting and can't work on anything new, that might bog you down.
We have to do what our muse dictates with the material she gives us. If that includes a rewrite, so be it. I'm looking forward to my WIP being done so I can go back over and organize the thing. It's gonna be fun!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
I rewrite what story "calls" to me, if that makes sense. It must be why I've been rewriting my current WiP on and off for the last few years. As much as I've longed to shelve the thing, I can't forget it--something always pulls me back.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I love the rewriting or not...it's still up in the air for me :P
Great post, as usual Natalie!
ReplyDeleteI found I love rewriting as well. I like the combination of discovery and improvement. On one hand I get to figure out what I really wanted to say in a chapter or even the entire book, but on the other hand, the book is right there. Already written. It’s easier for me to work with the words already on the page than writing brand new ones.
As for which books you should rewrite, I think the ones that you love the best. You’re going to need extra love for rewriting, in my opinion. You don’t have the shiny new idea-ness to propel you through a rewrite like you do with a new novel, and rewriting can be grueling. If you absolutely LOVE the book the rewriting process is less painful.
Something else I like to do while rewriting is work on something new. It could be a new book, or worldbuilding, or character sheets, or SOMETHING. This satisfies my urge to create something new, while saving the book I am rewriting. I found if I am not working on something new, I tend to throw everything out of the rewrite and start from scratch because I would have all of these new ideas. I also felt less pressure to finish the rewrite, because I was worried I was wasting my time on a rewrite that might take a long time, depending on how sucky—I mean, raw the rough draft is.
Through the power of the rewrite, I believe that you could potentially save any book idea you’ve had. The key is that you have to love the book enough to want to spend some extra time with it.
I think rewriting is where your real writer skills come from. Anyone (or almost anyone) can write a first draft. A lot of unpublished writers do, anyway.
The real test is to see how well you can take that raw, flawed first draft and turn it into something publishable. That’s the main difference between published and unpublished authors, I think. They consistently revise and rewrite their first drafts instead of abandoning them for new ideas.
I think the books you should rewrite are the ones that are still calling to you. Are there characters you still think about, even now that you’ve written the first draft and moved on? Are there plots that you still get chills thinking about? Those are the books you should rewrite first, because they are still inside your heart.
Sorry about the long post. I have been thinking about rewriting a lot recently. I should blog about this. ;)
Oh! That's why I like rewrites so much! I think you're exactly right about the combination of first drafting and revising. I rewrote my first novel last summer and it went really well because I had a frame, but I could fill it with shiny new ideas.
ReplyDeleteWhich novel are you rewriting? Or is that a secret? I understand if it is ;)
I'm rewriting my novel into first person right now and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. It's amazing how you see things differently during the rewrite. Very exciting.
ReplyDeleteI think rewriting from scratch for me is just going to be part of my method. I've written one book so far, one terrible awful rough draft. I like the premise too much to not give it a second chance.
ReplyDeleteNatalie: As Emily White said earlier, I too am re-writing my YA novel in first-person. At first I thought it would be a simple changing of most of the words, but I quickly realized that it will be A LOT of work. BUT, I am also excited because it seems that changing the perspective to FP will allow for SO much more introspection and focus on my character's actions and her thoughts as only SHE can know them.
ReplyDeleteSo, why re-write her story? I think it will definitely help make it a MUCH stronger work, but it will also help me develop my writing skills, as this is my first attempt at both YA AND first-person. Plus, I mean, come on--discovery and re-discovery of a character? Coolest. things. ever.
I'm still wrestling with the writing of something. When I get to the re-writing I'll let you know.
ReplyDeleteBut I can imagine that it could be invigorating especially when you come back to it with the benefit of fresh eyes and greater experience.
Hi Natalie, Love your blog. Very cool background and header!!
ReplyDeleteAs for rewrites...well I'd say rewrite something you love that you didn't finish or one that you love the idea but it didn't come out how you wanted it so you try again. I'm on the latter at the moment. It was my first idea, my first draft, I love my MC and the ideas my Muse gave me for her story. But I had to put it aside when my grandmother, whom I was caring for became very ill. After she passed I couldn't seem to pick up where I'd left off, felt like my Muse grew silent. I still hear her faintly in the background telling me to go back, rewrite it, she has some new stuff for it that wasn't in the original idea.
I think it's up to the Muse really and how much you really love an idea that's been vaulted for a time. Rewrite if it makes you and the Muse happy.
I'm cursing you right now! J/K I'm so glad to hear you love the rewrites. I'm revising my wip and loving it. I hope when I get to that chapter I have to rewrite I will love it too. I hope...I hope. =)
ReplyDeleteI'm loving all these answers! It seems like we all agree the project must be something you love—a lot. I think it also has to be something you're willing to completely re-imagine. Some of my projects I love, but I also don't want them to CHANGE, if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI think if the idea is stellar and unique, I could definitely rewrite. Of course, it would depend on if I had something new in the wings. Rewriting make take a back seat and become just a "when I get a moment" kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteI think you already know how I feel about this. I have rewritten novels before, and it can be really fun, although a lot of work. I certainly have to be sure it's something I want to work on. That said, the one book I could rewrite again is still on trial. I'm not sure it's something I want to work on again, but at the same time, it just won't leave me alone. Maybe if a specific work won't stop "calling us" as someone said above, that's when we know it's worth considering.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest revisiting ideas you feel strongly about. And, I firmly believe that writing is rewriting. In my youth I recall reading about a short story writer who wrote perfect first drafts. But I think few writers can do this. I'd also say let old flames die and move on if you really feel there's no hope for anything except ashes.
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of the re-write and I intend to go back and see if any of my earlier works can be salvaged. I think I have some really good ideas, still very excited about them but the writing had to grow!!
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of the re-write and I intend to go back and see if any of my earlier works can be salvaged. I think I have some really good ideas, still very excited about them but the writing had to grow!!
ReplyDeleteEveryone should think about what Nick is going to want to read. Then if you think re-writing it again is going to make Nick like it more, proceed.
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie!
ReplyDeleteUm, I think if it is speaking to you and you have an awesome re-write idea/urge then go for it!
I am more at the, I need to re-write my story after I get that first draft done, a lot of it like 90% of it probably, and I am DREADING it.
I will most likely move on to my new idea before coming back to it.
I think taking space from something can help a lot though! So if it has been a while, an idea has mulled in your head, and you are a better author now than you were when you first wrote it, then go for it!
I think it depends on each person's goals. One person may not care about the market at all. Another (who wants to get published like I do) might decide market considerations trump what they love.
ReplyDeleteFortunately with a rewrite, it means you loved the manuscript at one point, market or no.
I think the times when you pull out a problematic MS and have an "aha!" moment where you see exactly what you could do to tear it apart and rework it into something amazing--that's when I love to rewrite. When I'm trying to force it into something it's not, it's the worst. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteI like rewriting...I keep working on a piece until I think it's perfect.
ReplyDeleteI rewrote my last project. Well, part of it anyway. I think that if you're going to rewrite, you need to rewrite something that you have a good passion for. I really wanted to see that last project through to completion after I got ideas for salvaging it.
ReplyDeleteLet there be passion and there will be rewrites.
I would rewrite if i feel the character(s)is interesting enough to engage the reader for hundreds of pages.
ReplyDeleteI find the best total rewrite of a story happens after I've let it sit for a year. I'm not attached. It's still in my mind. I'll come back to a story if I've gotten renewed vision and a way to correct the problems. I do love that kind of rewriting.
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with rewriting but if its flogging and re-flogging a dead equinine creature, then its time to stop.
ReplyDeleteI saw rewrite what you love the most. Anything related to writing takes time and effort, and if you don't love what you're working on, putting int the time and effort will not be pleasant.
ReplyDelete