Thursday, April 15, 2010

Why I Love Writing: REcreating

It's no secret that editing and I don't exactly get along, but there are some things I do love about editing. Or recreating, as I sometimes like to call it. That tricks my brain into thinking it's less horrible.

I love writing out my plan for revisions. Before I have a plan, I'm more panicky than a chihuahua on caffeine. I get so, so easily overwhelmed by the big picture. But once I break it down into manageable chunks it's like, "Okay, I can do this! It's not so bad. Just one step at a time."

As hard as it is sometimes, I love making my book better. I love seeing my initial idea grow and change into something stronger, cooler than I thought it could ever be. I love adding scenes—ones that I can't believe I didn't think of before, ones that give new life to the story.

Yes, I even love cutting, once I get used to it. I love pruning the bad branches so the good ones are stronger. I never miss the words as much as I think I will.

I love finding the right words, the right descriptions for things. I love when I come up with just the right phrase, or cut an awkward one. I love seeing my prose get cleaner and cleaner with each draft.

I particularly love how entertaining it is to comb through my draft for repetition. I can't help but laugh at how many times I use a certain word or how many times my character sighs or groans or shakes their head. Oh, the melodrama. It's really funny.

I love the feeling of getting something right. It might not be as electric as the first draft, but it's oh-so-satisfying. I love getting to the end of revisions and knowing I did my best. I love the sense of accomplishment. It's this quiet peace in your gut, saying, "Yeah, that's what I meant."

24 comments:

  1. I love getting toward the middle-end of revision when it's finally starting to read (or atleast I think it does) how I imagined it from the start. And I always need a plan whether it's writing or revising!

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  2. could you talk about how you MAKE your plan and then execute it sometime? (or direct me to where you have?) ... >.>

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  3. Jess, if you'll look in my sidebar I have several posts there on revisions. I don't have one that describe exactly how I plan, but there a lot of tips there.

    Perhaps I'll have to add that sometime:)

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  4. Revising is a love/hate sort of thing. Hate it until it gets to where I love the end result. Great post.

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  5. Sweet! I love hearing when people enjoy revisions. I put my ms aside for a few weeks - the revisions will start soon. I hope I enjoy them as much as you. =) Thanks Natalie

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  6. I can't say that I enjoy revising, but it's not like I make it very easy on myself, writing about 4 times as many words as I need in a first draft.

    That being said I love this series of posts from you Natalie, they sure are inspiring. Maybe one day I'll grow to appreciate this aspect of the process as much as you do.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Wow, I love getting something right too! Revisions, though, are my Kaiser Soze.

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  8. I don't like the editing process much at all, but the one thing I do love about it is finding the right words and knowing, as you said, that quiet peace.

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  9. Okay, let's get one thing straight here, guys. These are SOME things I love about revision. For the most part? I kind of hate it. That was all silver lining stuff:P

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  10. I've actually let my chihuahua drink soem coffee before (a few licks not, like, kicking back with a latte or anything), so I know what you mean :)

    And I need a plan of action before I can tackle any big project!

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  11. I was really scared of editing for a long time... and then I started doing it. And I realised I really don't mind it so much.

    I guess it's kinda like wanting your baby to stay cute and cuddly and sweet forever, but also wanting them to grow up and leave their mark on the world.

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  12. That's exactly where I'm at right now - rewriting/recreating - after a change from 3rd person POV to 1st. In fact, my latest post is on this same subject.

    You do, in a way, have to get back the first draft mindset. That's the place where you really allow yourself to create anew. Problem is, it's hard to beat the "I already know this story" bully out of your head. ;-)

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  13. Oh man. Need to play a recording of this in my sleep. Or at least print it out and refer to it whenever revisions start to overwhelm me. :P

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  14. This is an awesome post and I am loving that you shared it with us! So often I hear everyone telling me they hate the revising process and I have felt differently I love tearing it apart and making it better... yes the chunk as a whole seems to big to manage but break it up into smaller pieces and I'm ready to go!!

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  15. Oh, how I needed to read this today. I've written 37,000 words over the last 3 weeks, and just last night realized that the story is all wrong. So I'm going to abandon those words and use the same characters and setting and start over.

    Needless to say, I've been sick. The amount of work I've already put in, down the drain.

    But I can do it. It's just recreating, right? Right.

    Thank you!!

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  16. I love writing a scene or two and knowing that come revision time these scenes are going to sparkle and shine!

    I also love knowing you're not as weird as I thought when I first starting reading your post .. reading your comment that these were silver lining parts made it all better for me :) I was almost about to suggest you eat some chocolate to wake up your brain ;)

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  17. I love getting to revising/recreating b/c it means I have something to revise/recreate. A finished product. Not many people can say that.

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  18. Once I get over the "there's no way I can do this" mentality, I feel the same way.

    And I like how you called it Recreating, much less horrible.

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  19. I know what you mean! Writing the first draft is exciting, but I always feel as if it's not good enough and the right words just don't come to me. But after editing for a while, everything works together perfectly and turns into a more beautiful story than the one I had originally planned. I honestly have to give God credit for helping me with the editing part. =) Great post! Your blog is amazing, I love it.

    Tessa

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  20. Enjoying your whole "why I love writing" series, especially the post on community. It's encouraging, too, to remember the joy in even the tougher aspects of the craft, like editing. Thanks!

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  21. Oh yeah! I have learned to love editing as well. I'd prefer to catch all my errors before my editor does, but thank heavens for editors and good friends who help me make my book better. Thanks for the great post!

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  22. I just blogged about this too. It's such a satisfying, wonderful feeling, ain't it?

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  23. Great post. I think editing is the best part of writing. Especially if you have someone--an editor or honest friend--to help you see what you couldn't see when you first put the words on paper/computer screen.

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  24. I love that feeling too. Nothing's better than the moment when you know that you got something right.

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