Random Thoughts on Rewriting
Dec222008
It’s always easier to rewrite your partner’s stuff than it is your own.
After you’ve read something forty-two times, it all sounds like blahblahblah.
If you keep tripping over something, don’t try to fix it, cut it. No, really.
Nothing helps a scene more than figuring out who’s the protagonist, who’s the antagonist, what their goals are, and how they’re blocking each other.
If you put a character in who has a constant animal companion, you have to go back and make sure the damn animal is in there all the time. Or bird.
If you don’t feel like writing a scene with sex in it, you don’t write a scene with sex it in. Kind of like real life.
If you rewrite for too long without shifting your position, your butt hurts.
Krispy Kremes are NOT brain food. They will put you to sleep faster than turkey, though.
Thirty-five thousand words is too many for a first act.
If a character gets shot, he’s still gonna be upset about that the next morning.
If you’re doing a sex scene in an underground tunnel right after a demon pirate attack, you still have to write foreplay. Because.
Don’t schedule your final push on a book during Christmas week. I know, why would ANYBODY DO THAT?
Playing computer Scrabble does not help you think your way through a plot knot. Crocheting does.
Tell your partner he can put back whatever you cut. Then pray he’s too lazy to do it.
At some point, you have to move on to the second act because you have washed the living hell out of the first. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Rewriting makes writing first drafts feel wonderful again.
Loading ...
14 Comments to 'Random Thoughts on Rewriting'
On December 22, 2008 at 1:06 pm francois said...
“Tell your partner you can put back whatever you cut. Then pray he’s too lazy to do it.”
This isn’t just for writing – its a useful technique in any relationship!
On December 22, 2008 at 2:21 pm toni said...
“If a character gets shot, he’s still gonna be upset about that the next morning.”
This had me laughing out loud. The foreplay comment, however, was priceless.
On December 22, 2008 at 2:43 pm Brooke said...
Totally helpful.
On December 22, 2008 at 4:41 pm Eva Gale said...
Amen on the crocheting. Check out Crocheting Over the Edge? Definite plot help.
On December 22, 2008 at 6:02 pm Bob said...
It’s all going back in. Especially the clown faces.
On December 22, 2008 at 6:52 pm Jackie said...
I think the only thing worse than rewriting is first writing when it isn’t going anywhere.
And the partners and the cutting bit? just apply to household mess as well.
On December 22, 2008 at 7:53 pm Deb said...
So, you cut Jenny. Bob replaces it including clown faces (I don’t want to think about that), you can always cut again. He/She Who Dares Wins, right?
On December 22, 2008 at 8:41 pm Jade said...
“At some point, you have to move on to the second act because you have washed the living hell out of the first. Lather, rinse, repeat.”
What a great analogy!! Full cycle washing…er writing. But hey, where to you add the conditioner? Or the bleach? A plot conditioner. (If only.) All the elements of fiction connecting in a circular way–so… what’s needed is…the spin cycle. And thus, dispensing with all the unnecessary elements!
On December 22, 2008 at 11:04 pm Marta said...
I bet some people are of the opinion that a demon pirate attack IS foreplay. Are we talking about pirates who are demons or bad guys pirating demons? Either way, sounds like good times ahead.
Incidentally, I just inventoried our 30-year-old Scrabble game, and found we’re missing one ‘T’, but have an extra ‘A’ and ‘S’. What’s going on in that box when the lid’s on?
When I read my own stuff, my brain tends to see what should be there, not what’s actually on the page, so I can miss the same problem over and over. Editing other people’s stuff is much easier, maybe because my brain hasn’t been there before. I proof right to left for spelling, but grammar, content, and flow don’t work that way. It’s frustrating.
On December 23, 2008 at 8:38 am Cathy said...
“If you don’t feel like writing a scene with sex in it, you don’t write a scene with sex…Kind of like real life”
Perhaps it’s the leering clown faces. Kills the mood every time.
On December 23, 2008 at 9:25 am GatorPerson said...
Man does not live by Krispy Kremes alone. Remember the other food groups: ice cream, chocolate, and gravy.
On December 23, 2008 at 10:59 am robena grant said...
Oh, I love this. Such wisdom. Thanks.
On December 24, 2008 at 11:17 am jenny said...
“Don’t schedule your final push on a book during Christmas week. I know, why would ANYBODY DO THAT?”
Because she just sold her first book and would, at this point, do ANYTHING for the editor?
Gatorperson: you forgot potato chips, an important food group.
Going to post these random thoughts over my computer now. Too late to save my sanity, but maybe help for the future.
On December 24, 2008 at 11:51 am lane said...
Love this! It’s funny and oh so accurate! I’m actually just embarking on revisions (yes during the holiday) so I may clip this to my computer!
Thanks!