I finally updated my projects page as I’ve noticed more and more visitors click on it. Everybody can finally see what I’m working on 😀 Oh and remember, WriteOnCon starts tomorrow! So exciting…
As most of you know, I am currently revising ONE TWO THREE and I’m loving the process of it. Really! Seeing the manuscript transform, deepen, reach its potential is truly beautiful and fun. Not always easy but so worth it.
For me, revisions can include creating/deleting a character or adding/deleting scenes but I am not tearing the entire manuscript apart. I am not starting anew.
What this made me realize is that my first manuscript currently entitled PLAYING WITH FIRE could not be revised. Or it could but the amount of work required would not make it a revision, it would be a rewrite.
A rewrite means that I am completely rewriting the novel. The main plots will stay the same, some scenes might stay similar but the story will change. I have a basis point but the canvas is almost blank.
Gasp.
I have so many ideas in my mind for future novels but Erin and Aleksi were begging me to reconsider their story, to give them a proper voice. So, I asked myself (and Twitter) THE question:
I received many helpful comments, including to listen to the loudest voices in my head. (by the way I love it that nobody probably stopped at this sentence except my hubby who must have rolled his eyes and said: “voices in her head. Wonderful”)
And after thinking about it, I went with my feelings and the loudest voices. And I’m having a blast. Erin is turning out to be this fun character to write because I finally know her. And I know Aleksi too. My main problem with the previous draft was not the difficulty of keeping track of every event (even though it was) but the fact that Aleksi and Erin were not real. Right now, I can have conversation with them. Which I don’t. Not really. You know what I mean 😀
So, tell me have you ever decided to rewrite instead of revising?
Are those things the same for you?
Elodie Nowodazkij 
Yep, been there. I completely rewrote my first novel because it was clearly AWFUL and unsalvageable after the first draft stage. Several revisions later, it was the book that landed me an agent, so I think it was a pretty good call. 😉
I did that with Beast Inside. A couple of years ago I started writing it and I really didn’t like it. I didn’t have a good idea of the characters and I wasn’t sure where the plot was going. And when I rewrote it for NaNo I felt much better about it. I’d revised, wrote down pages and pages of notes. I know you can tend to think the worst of first drafts but sometimes you know when it really isn’t working and that you have to take some time away from it to plan and think about what you really want from the WiP.
And now that I’m in the editing stages, even more things about the WiP is coming to me and making me feel even better about where the story is going. I’m glad I rewrote it. If I’d left it, I wouldn’t feel motivated about it at all and it would never be finished.
Been there as well! I finished a rewrite this summer and it was one my most satisfying writing accomplishments. Who knows where it will go, but I’m SO much happier with the story now. Good luck working on your rewrite, Elodie!
My WIP has had a couple of “restarts,” which are virtually rewrites of the first few chapters as I try to decide which direction is best for it. I am seriously considering taking the 250,000+ word behemoth that is the novel I wrote about 7 or 8 years ago and whipping it into shape. I like the ideas, and there’s some good stuff in it. But that’s for another day. 🙂
That’s great that you decided to take the plunge with the earlier WiP. Yay! It sounded really interesting to me when you mentioned it. I had to laugh out loud when you mentioned the thing about voices in your head and hubby rolling his eyes. Haha! They must think we’re off our rockers. 😛 Can’t wait to read some of this when you want it seen!
I have 3 manuscripts, my first 3 ones that I would love to rewrite, because the story is good, the writing wasn’t lol
So, I’m revising a manuscript now, will write Destiny Gift #2 after that, and will begin rewrites on all I have. It’ll take a long time, but I just can’t let those ideas die. I think about them constantly. And the new ides will stick (especially since I always take notes lol).
Have fun with rewrites 😉
I don’t think I could ever rewrite! It’s too scary, you’re much braver than I am 🙂 I have stories I know could don’t work as they are but the things I would have to do to the plots and the characters to make them work aren’t things I want to do. I’m just going to let them take a looong nap in a box somewhere and let new characters come to life 🙂
Wow! Good for you! I haven’t had the guts to do this. There are a few I’ve shelved that would need a rewrite. We’ll see when/if that happens.
I have a beloved MS in the drawer that is going to need a rewrite (if it’s ever to see the light of day). I’m intimidated by the rewrite process, but I just can’t let the story go.
Good luck with your rewrite!
Um…yes. That would be my latest project. 😉 I just finished the third rewrite and am SO HAPPY I rewrote it. And yes – definitely listen to the voices in your head. There’s a battle in my brain for the next project, but the loudest will definitely win out…when I’m ready.
Good luck with the new draft!
Hi! I tagged you in the Lucky 7 meme 🙂 http://onceuponatimelit.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/lucky-7-round-2.html
All the time! I actually like rewriting because it helps me break out of old patterns and stuck places. But it takes SOOO much emotional energy and commitment 🙂
The first few stories I ever wrote and had critiqued are still on the shelf, waiting to be revised. In some cases, I tried to rewrite them, but ran into too many stumbling blocks, so they are still shelved. I’ve moved on, but I still plan on revisiting them, now that I have a better understanding of the whole process. It is a bit disheartening though, to know that there was so much wrong with them. I hope you manage to come to a decision on whether your story is salvageable or not. It might need time to percolate while you work on your new ideas. Whatever your decision, I hope you will be happy with it, eventually. 🙂