Friday, March 9, 2012

Deep in the Abyss of Revisions

Over the past couple weeks, I've been back in the thick of revisions. I commenced the necessary evil with an optimistic attitude boiling in my veins (that totally sounded contradictory, huh?). After a week and knowing I had to add more content in the middle and working on some plot holes my CP pointed out, I felt beyond overwhelmed. With that, I caved and took a day off, crawling in my bed after work and sleeping off my frustrations.

I played the avoidance card. Grrr, Julia. Grrr. Bad me. *slap slap slap* 

I headed home one night with the same plan to sleep. But, I came to the realization that I couldn't hide from my book anymore. If I want it polished like one of those cars that people wax with a diaper, then I have to crack out the whip and edit.

Of course, I stopped off at the nearest Sweet Tooth Fairy and got me some cake bites--six glorious little pieces of scrumptious heaven. I had to have some kind of present to myself while editing. And, ohhh, were they delicious beyond divine.

*Nummy to my tummy*

Anyway, I've had my ups and downs since. But I'm loving what my WIP is becoming--shinny with sparkles like a vampire. LOL I love the feeling of finishing a chapter and knowing it's better than it was before I tackled it head on. It's just a matter of getting me in front of my laptop and doing it. Some tunes and munchies help me through, though. Nice. This weekend will be focused on my book for sure!

How do you handle editing/revisions? Do you love them, hate them, or have a love/hate relationship with them? If you're revising/editing, how's it going?

Writing. Jewels.

27 comments:

  1. I like revising. It's a game to try and make the story as compact as I can and still tell it well.

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    1. Good point, Rob! I've been writing some flash fictions lately. It is crazy to cut something from 450 words to 200. Makes me have to weed out all the useless words and aspects of the story to something that shines but still makes sense.

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  2. Well said, Julia! I'm not to this point yet (still trying to get words ON the page) but when I do get there, can I come cry on your shoulder? ;)

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    1. Oh, Lisa, you are more than welcome to cry on my shoulder. I've gone through so many blasted edits/revisions on my first book and WIP that I'm a pro. Not... Anyway, I'm cheering you on with your writing. It's fun to let the story flow onto the page.

      Thanks for the comment!

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  3. I hate doing them. I hate that every little change affects a dozen other things. It's tedious work while ALSO being big, overwhelming work. I know of nothing else that can be both simultaneously. Except motherhood.

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    1. I'm SOOOOOO glad I'm not alone. I love the creation of the first draft the most. Now it's all about, does this sound right, is this word the perfect one, am I telling too much, I've used that word too many times on this page, and the list goes on and on. Oh, and is the pacing right, is my MC growing enough, and am I using the three act system well enough. There are too many elements to look at at once. At least I've had a couple betas look at it to stear me in the right direction. Thanks be to them.

      I can't even imagine adding motherhood into the mix. Way to go girl for tackling both at the same time. And thanks for making me feel better for editing/revisions being so daunting. :D

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  4. I *wish* I were doing revisions! I loooooove them ;) I don't like where I'm at right now... getting the last of my words out. Once I have a finished product, I love to tweak, move around, amp up, and change. Phew. I'm getting there :D

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    1. You are my heroin, Miss Morgan. You will get there for sure.

      I guess for me the revision/editing part of writing is never-ending. I go through my WIP once and wish that was it. Bam Poof Done! But, gees, I know that I'll have to go through it who knows how many more times. Sheesh. It is so daunting it makes me not want to turn on the laptop. But I do... Sometimes forcing myself to do it. I know, though, that once I get through one page, I'm enthralled. Love that feeling. I could go on for chapters at a time with the passion flowing. hehe

      *hugs*

      And we need to play soon. Our treat to ourselves for finishing a round of writing and editing. :D

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  5. My editing relationship is definitely love/hate, probably leaning more towards hate right now. Sometimes I think editing saps all my creativity.

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    1. I totally understand the editing-saps-my-creativity comment. Sometimes it saps my energy as well. Tonight's editing/revising adventure went smoothly though. Now I'm going to give myself a break--watching a movie for the rest of the night. Gotta have rewards for a job well done, right? haha

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  6. Revisions are like healthy food--I know they're good for me, but ugh. ;)

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  7. Good luck with the revising this weekend! You can totally do it! :D

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    1. Thanks! And I'm super close to getting there.

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  8. I have a slight feeling of dread as I approach the editing process. It's not as fun as writing! But once I get into editing, I get excited about how the novel is shaping up and becoming what I want it to be! Hope you feel the same.

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    1. I understand completely. The crappy dread that seaps in before edits. I'm like you, I get excited once I'm hitting the pages. I've made much progress this weekend. Nice. Thanks for you comment.

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  9. I used to hate revisions, but I got so used to it that now I worry about writing again! It's such a vicious circle!

    PS-I tagged you over on my blog :)

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    1. Hi, Lauren! Yeah, I'm getting used to the revisions routine. Gotta do em. It is fun seeing the book falling into place. Must run to your blog now. :D

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  10. Maybe if I get myself treats I'll finally be productive with my rewrites. And, like Lauren, I tagged you too. I feel so silly now, because she tagged me too in the same post XD

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    1. Yay for tagging. No feeling silly! A little bit of silly in our lives is great! :D Will check out your post. --->

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  11. Revising is my favorite part, but I cringe at editing.

    Sparkle on. Good luck. :)

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  12. Good luck with your revisions!

    Personally, I love first drafts, but it takes me forever to revise and edit my own work.

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    1. Me too. Love the creativity that flows int he first draft. However, with this edit, I've found I can still be just as creative. :D

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  13. I have a love/hate relationship with revising but overall, I enjoy it. It's such a great feeling when you fix a scene or chapter and you can see how much better it is, and how your work is paying off. Good luck with your revisions!

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    1. Yes, I love the feeling of finishing a chapter and smiling for it is better than before. I'm super close to finishing this revision. Then it's off to betas. :D

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