Thursday, February 2, 2012

Rewrites and Second Drafts, Is there a difference?

Well, of course there's a difference between rewrites and second drafts. Not for me. I haven't written a book yet that the original first draft resembles the finished product. I write, at least, three books per story. But what if the first draft was the best one? On one of my books, one I haven't published yet, I could change the title and characters and make two books, they are so different. I might just do that.

The problem I'm having with my current WIP is finding what I want in and what I don't. I mean, physically finding it. My index finger is wearing out from scrolling with the mouse. I've been moving paragraphs and scenes so long, it's confusing me. Time to put it down for today. I'm proud of myself, though. I've spent the whole morning writing. I have more time to write now that I'm working part time, and I'm rekindling the joy I once got from writing once I get to it.

Does anyone else rewrite instead of revising and editing?

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8 comments:

  1. Amen! And comforting to know I'm not the only one who gets confused in the revision process. Computers can actually make it worse, I think, because it's so easy to cut and move, but harder to find the passage you want. I've been known to resort to the old fashioned cutting apart of a printed version to rearrange with actual hard copy—an old fashioned remedy that has rescued me a number of times. Also, on occasion, I start with a clean sheet of paper and re-write a chapter from memory, longhand. It almost always comes out better than the original. Glad to see you're back. I love reading about the writing processes of other writers.

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    1. Printing it sounds like a great idea. You really don't have to print the whole thing, just the parts you want to revise. Great idea, thanks.

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  2. My current WIP is going that direction. I just rewrote a new first chapter and I'm starting the second. I'm rewriting it too. I meant to just revise, but it's not going that way!

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    1. lol, Don't we always mean to revise, then you see something or read something and suddenly you can't wait to tear your WIP apart.

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  3. Yep! Me too.. Totally confused at some points and with my first book I ended up in tears as I lost the plot completely!!! ( Pun intended!) Took me days to sort out and just get the story into some kind of order and then I had to start all over again with the re-writing. Now I use cards with chapters, scenes, page numbers and a brief precis on each one. It doesn't solve the probblem but it makes stuff easier to find...

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    1. I've been at the crying jig before. Unfortunately, that's usually with I get frustrated and put the thing down, and for the next few weeks feel guilty for not writing. It's depressing, but eventually, you have to listen to your inner voice and get er done.

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  4. Hey lady, just dropping in to say hello. Hope you have a terrific week!

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    1. Good to hear from you. I am having a terrific week and things are peachy. Hope you're doing well.

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