I write and revise and revise some more and then send it out. In between these steps I let it sit, in an attempt to gain some perspective on it. Sometimes the process takes years...
I've found that if I spend too much time on revision, the activity gets like chewing gum too long...the gum has lost all flavor and my teeth and jaws begin to ache. So eventually I stop.
In recent stuff, I've been using my word processing program to pick out and change things. I've tried removing all the "-ly" adverbs. I've been trying to spot and revise verbs like has and [/i]was[/i] (and any and all associated forms), trying to make sentences and events and descriptions more immediate.
But I've come to wonder about that. The resulting sentences sometimes seem awkward...and doesn't seem to help much...and, besides, it takes a godawful lot of time to do it. I haven't yet put it into practice, but I plan to do less of it and leave some of all that in my stuff, first chance I get.
(Way, way back, I went through a period where I wrote one draft and sent that out. After a year or so, I realized (on rereading) that I needed to do something more to the stories...so I went back to revision.)
Posted by philocinemas (Member # 8108) on :
I liked how Ms. What described her very systematic means of revising and editing. In the past my revision process has been somewhat haphazard - her approach seems like it would be less time-consuming. I also like what What says about never giving up on a piece - (I could not resist). Posted by History (Member # 9213) on :
Wow. All I can say is I'm glad I do not need to write for a living.
Good advice, though. I am finding analytical revising (having just started the revision of my novel) far more difficult than the actual creative writing. And nowhere near as fun. It is far more work, than play--and I do [u]not[/u] want the story to seem over-worked.
Respectfully, History
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Thread Hijack:
Hey Skadder, you in LA?
I keep getting e-mails that folks are gathering.
I want to watch the award ceremony, but when they say 7:30 I have a feeling they mean PST and that's past my bed time. =(
Axe
Posted by Osiris (Member # 9196) on :
UnHijacking thread :P
This is very good advice. Thanks for sharing this link, I bookmarked it.
Posted by satate (Member # 8082) on :
Hmmm...I think I'll go revise one of my stories now.
Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :
No...I couldn't go to LA for various personal (not legal!) reasons. I will watch the webcast despite the horrendous 3.30am start for UK viewers.
[This message has been edited by skadder (edited August 25, 2010).]
Posted by philocinemas (Member # 8108) on :
I'm really sorry to hear that, skadder. I'm sure it is a disappointment.
Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :
I admit to being glued to the updates and am conversing with the winners, so am living the week vicariously.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Also, one key thing about me and revisions---I'd much rather be putting out something straight and brand-new than revising something on hand and already written. This might, ultimately, affect my ability to handle revisions...
