The novel rewrite has begun. All I can say is that if the rest of the draft manuscript needs as much work as the first chapter, I am in trouble.
Perhaps, though, I should cut myself some slack. This is the first chapter, after all. It was written well before I had a comprehensive sense of what the final product would be. Now, with the novel’s first draft completed, I can evaluate the all-important first chapter to see if it sends the right signals and to make sure it is not loaded with back story. I can also incorporate nuances about my characters, which have been revealed to me through the process of writing the novel itself. The time lines may be different than first envisioned. Etc. etc. and etc.
So, I will remain relatively scarce from the blogosphere far longer than I had anticipated. I will keep reading your blogs and, time permitting, occasionally comment. On a biweekly basis, I will drop in here with a post.
Now, back to work.
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8 comments:
Hi Judith .. good luck - I'm sure all will go well - but as you imply a clear mind and space is necessary .. enjoy the rewrite .. cheers Hilary
Good luck, Judith!
Hilary and Mayowa, thanks for your encouragement. I'm actually having fun with this rewrite. There is a lot to be said about not having the lurking fear of not finishing the novel. I'm past that now. I just have to make it a good novel now.
Judith
It's wise to take a break from blogging in order to focus. I always feel like the rewrite is the bigger challenge for me. I have the pressure of what I want the final product to be hounding me as I'm working!
Good luck with it all. I'm sure your finished novel will be a fine work.
Nevine
Thank you, Nevine. I am making slow but sure progress on the rewrite. For me, the rewrite is easier than the original because I know the characters and where they are heading. I suppose this is all a function of what process one uses to write, whether planned out ahead or written organically. I am more in the latter category.
Congrats on getting your novel to the point of re-write!
Editing, rewriting, panicking... I'll be back working on my novel again soon. Good luck with it. I like your comment about not having to fear not finishing. But will I ever finish wondering if I should've written it differently... Maybe I'll just start on the sequel instead.
Sheila, there is a huge order of magnitude difference for me in how much more relaxed I am during the editing of a completed work. This is sheer fun, unlike the writing of the original work, which while still a fun process has for me a deep fear that I will never finish the project.
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