So I'm working on final revisions of my WIP All That Remains (OT - I start a lot of blog posts with "So". I know this. I sit here and try to think of some better way to start, but "So" just makes the most sense. Revision fail? I dunno)
Mostly all I have are minor revisions (well. I also still have it out with two readers. They could possibly have some changes, but I won't know until they're done). I've been picking at them a little bit each day. Because, truthfully, I'm trying to decide about what to do on a possible bigger revision. It would involve combining two characters. And not minor characters, either.
One is more fully realized, the other is not, which is part of the problem. But that character also has pivotal plot points, so I couldn't just, cut him out, you know?
I'd pondered this change a few months ago, and ultimately decided against it. Then I had a conversation with my lovely friend Tricia, and she brought it up again.
I'm just not sure. How do you know if making a big change like that would make it better? Or just different? Anyone have any thoughts? Because I'd like to hear them so I can decide what to do.
How about you? Writing? Revising? Something else? Fill me in!
Mostly all I have are minor revisions (well. I also still have it out with two readers. They could possibly have some changes, but I won't know until they're done). I've been picking at them a little bit each day. Because, truthfully, I'm trying to decide about what to do on a possible bigger revision. It would involve combining two characters. And not minor characters, either.
One is more fully realized, the other is not, which is part of the problem. But that character also has pivotal plot points, so I couldn't just, cut him out, you know?
I'd pondered this change a few months ago, and ultimately decided against it. Then I had a conversation with my lovely friend Tricia, and she brought it up again.
I'm just not sure. How do you know if making a big change like that would make it better? Or just different? Anyone have any thoughts? Because I'd like to hear them so I can decide what to do.
How about you? Writing? Revising? Something else? Fill me in!
10 comments:
You could always add more to the second one, make him more unique and important.
Email me!
Is it the cop and the pimp? Wild guess, I know. You should email me about it.
As for posts, you also title a lot of them starting with "In Which," but I actually like that. I've even copied it once or twice.
I start most of my posts with "okay ..."
Trust your gut. If it's still nagging you, you know it's something you have to do. It's the work involved that's probably making you hesitate.
Whenever something gnaws at me that way, I know it's the right thing to do.
I know, I'm WAY behind on reading. Sorry. I had SIX freaking fulls land in my inbox this summer...I fully critted three so far, and have 3 left. I should be starting yours this week.
That said, I believe in listening to your instinct, your gut/heart.
Hope all is well. :)
Hmm...we shall discuss this tonight. Remind me.
I love how all your friends are like "Email me!" You have some awesome partners.
As for revisions, the thing is you have to be one hundred percent behind it. Absolutely. It has to be the bones only way to do it, and it sort of has to feel like the Earth you are walking on is vibrating with the need for it to be the new way. I know, that sounds really big, but with revisions and polishing, there comes a point of fatigue. If this is absolutely what's best for your story, then your bones will know it. You'll think about it all night long, and when you make a decision it'll feel like a weight lifts off your shoulders.
I'm so full of drama, but for me, all the major changes felt like that. Agents use the word resonate. They don't me sort of. I've bandied about with major revisions that just didn't feel right. I started them, but never finished because I was in danger of putting my laptop through the window. In the end, you're the one who's going to need most of a month or two to pull it off, so you have to really be behind the changes.
I'm w/Maria- if its nagging its prolly needful! At least this had been my experience. =)
If it were me, I would take the "busiest" chapter, with both characters and possibly both the plot lines, and rewrite that. See what you think. Send it to your betas critters and see what they think.
Doing one "big" chapter will be a lot easier to see if you like the idea, rather than tearing the whole thing apart and hating it. At least you've only gone through x amount of time. Know what I mean.
As for me, I've been busy busy busy. Writing, PTO crap (and believe me it's crap) and then painting the kitchen ceiling in the old house. Again. Ugh.
How did your summer go with reading all those books for school? Did you finish the list?
If you decide to cut the character in the revisions,keep them back for an 'enhanced' edition of the story, or give them their own spin off short :)
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