Reality
I'm accepting that my reality as a writer is I revise a lot. This is what happens: I outline the book chapter by chapter, I write extensive character bios, I make a chart to plot the development of the characters' emotional conflict, and then finally, I start writing. And it all goes smoothly for a chapter or two until I stop and think, 'hmm... but WHY would he do that then? Why wouldn't she do x, say x, think x?" And then I have to go back to that lovely outline and start crossing things out.But you know what? I'm okay with this. Really. Because this time round I expect it, and I'm not panicking. Yet. I'm just writing. I'm going to keep writing, and changing my outline and notes until it all starts to make sense. And accept that I don't write a clean first draft. I WISH I did. However, I write a fantastic second draft
. The trouble is, I don't realise what book I'm trying to write until I've almost finished it. With my last book, I realised this three days before my deadline. Not a happy time. I was at 47,000 words, about to write the big, final scene, when I looked at the screen and realised: this isn't working. I felt sick. Sick, as in sick to my stomach. Seriously. Then I braced myself and thought I can take out a major plot element (a marriage of convenience) without too many changes. A few tweaks here, a few rewritten scenes there...So I began to work my way through the manuscript, and for the first three chapters it wasn't so bad. Then there was the whole wedding scene. That was an entire chapter. There was having to write in all the bits about why these people were together, interacting with one another, since they weren't married for convenience. By the time I got back up to 47,000 words, most of the book was rewritten. I've got this whole other MOC book that will never be used. The book that wasn't. Which is okay, because in the end I really liked the way the book turned out. Just not the period from September 27th-October 15th so much.
So this time round I'm going to leave myself lots of time to write it all again.
I finished chapter one and am rolling onwards...
posted by Kate Hewitt at
4:58 PM
You've no idea how reassuring I find this, Kate.
I am currently living your September 27th-October 15th and it's gruesome! Did you make your deadline?
Glad you finished Chapter one!
I don't make outlines...well, I do, but very crude outlines. With the jist of the big scenes. that way, the characters are more free...and it's not a mess to cross out and re-write...
But then again, I'm new at this, and perhaps my next novel will be done a bit more orderly. I am a very orderly person...
Happy Thanksgiving!
As someone who's never yet completed a novel the idea of having 3 days to go and an unfinished novel, let alone one requiring a major plot change, is absolutely terrifying!
Well done for getting it completed!
It was terrifying, womagwriter... I'm praying it doesn't happen again. And India, I didn't make my deadline. It was Oct 1, and I handed it in Oct 15. Fortunately it only needed tweaks, and I fnished those quickly but I am absolutely determined to make my deadline with time to spare this time around.
And you're right--it is gruesome. Best of luck--it will end... promise...
Kate