Saturday, October 31, 2009

MORE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Another step in the revision and editing process...

I was introduced to a new blog ROLLING AROUND IN MY HEAD . Dave is using LOTTERY for his bookclub. He has a wonderful blog and I recommend you taking a look.

Revising and editing. Again. And again. AND AGAIN.

WRITER-SELF: Looks good. Just a few more changes like how do I get my character from her small town in Elmtree, Wisconsin where she works in a cafe, to being the chief astronaut and nuclear physicist in Russia...

NORMAL-SELF: The reader will understand. It's done.

WRITER-SELF: That sentence is a little long. Takes up three pages. Maybe I should re-work it?

NORMAL-SELF: Leave it alone. It's done.

WRITER-SELF: The ending feels...I don't know...up in the air...inconclusive. I mean everybody's still alive. I feel like I have to kill somebody...

NORMAL-SELF: No you don't. Murder is against the law plus readers become nasty when an author kills off every endearing character. It's done.

WRITER-SELF: Maybe I should re-structure it? have four sections. Leave out the chapter headings. Change the font.

NORMAL-SELF: Leave it alone. It's done.

WRITER-SELF: You know as I read through it, it's pretty good. I don't think I need to mess with it any more. It's done!

NORMAL-SELF: Have you done spell check? Maybe you should do another spell check. And that's a good idea you had about the font. You could add a couple alien space monkeys to the mix. THAT would add suspense and kick it up a notch...

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

THE CATZ THINK U SHUD AD MUR CONFLICT...LAK KIL SUM DOGS...

suzanneelizabeths.com said...

As a dog owner and lover, I hope the catz is just kidding!

Can't wait to read your next book, any idea of when it will come out?

Jen P said...

Do you still start with the talking horse? So curious...

Holly Kennedy said...

Toughest part of writing is the editing. Always.

Keep grinding away, Pat!

Anonymous said...

your template displayed incorrectly in my browser(chrome)

ORION said...

BAD!!!! Template...BAD!!!

ORION said...

There are no bad templates...only bad browsers...

Sarah Laurence said...

Good luck with your edits!

Anonymous said...

Your blog feels like such a deja vu! I always feel that being a writer myself.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for stopping by to comment. Lottery was wonderful!