Yesterday’s postwas in desperation. The work I was reading was good.Â
By about the End of the Beginning (1/4), I found the plot working, the character believable though not completely likable, the issues of value.Â
I wanted it to be great.Â
Continued reading to the end today. Things picked up shortly before the Halfway mark. The heart and soul of the work emerged. I shed tears. I really cared.Â
Made me a believer again.Â
Cautiously though….
Work needs to be done. More authentic details. Entire first quarter reworked. Character deepened. More foreshadowing. Smoother flow. Interconnecting thematic significance on all levels.
Can’t help but wonder — how many times will he rewrite his piece to make it truly memorable???Â
How many times do you rewrite a piece from beginning to end in an effort to make it truly memorable??Â
AUGH!! My MG novel has been written and rewritten to go to my critique partner and then rewritten again, and again, and again, and again…
Well, you get the picture! My question to you is how much is too much where rewriting is concerned.:)
My first novel has gone through 10 major rewrites just to get it to the point where an agent took it. It was worth all the stress and strain to get it right.
Good question, Robyn. I remember when i was young that my mother — http://svensto.blogspot.com — who is an artist once worked a painting, trying to get it right, for so long that finally the canvas turned grey. I think she was trying to please everyone and in the end, pleased no one. Never saw that happen again. Once is enough. So, I do believe we can overwork our work and in the end lose the heart and soul completely. What’s a writer to do???
Lafreya, you are an inspiration!! I do believe rewrites bring depth and are the only true way to tease out the true heart and soul and nuance and meaning and depth and beauty and….
I too agree with Lafreya. I will rewrite until I have literally done my very best. Then I depend on a bank of solid, trusted readers to tell me how to make it even better. I know if one or more readers report a weakness, I need to go in and rewrite. I know when they all get back with the same strengths, I’ve nailed it.
And then if all else fails, use your gut, it’s rarely wrong.
My book isn’t ready to be in an agent’s hands until it’s reported back as “impossible to put down.”
Hi Lips,
Thanks for your comments. I love the standard you keep for yourself — impossible to put down…
A literary agent friend says she looks for stories that keep her awake reading at night.