Friday 2 March 2012

On rough seas - where the heck's Wilson?!

Yep, I love Wilson from CAST AWAY. Who's with me? I promise one day I will stop talking about Wilson.

I definitely will for now, because I have something else to talk about: the amazing advice I got recently about my "closest to being ready" novel, SUNDOWN. Turns out, it's not quite so ready! The advice was worded in a very nice way, i.e. a way that didn't even make me want to cry and give up my writing dream forever more. But it amounted to this: 1) My main character is so annoying readers may well be hoping she'll die at the end, and 2) I need to rewrite my novel.

I've never done a complete rewrite before. Not of a novel, or of a short story. Or even a poem. So, you can imagine that this is quite the daunting prospect!

So what's the problem with my novel, other than the fact that my MC may well get murdered if I don't do her a favour and rewrite her? Well, let's start with this: I've long had a problem with identifying my MC's main goal, her burning desire, in life. Way back when I was first attempting to create a query for this story (ha, how utterly premature that idea seems now!), people would ask me, "What does she really want?" and though I was sure I was really thinking hard about it and coming up with good answers...I guess I wasn't.

That's what I've done now. I've given my MC a purpose, a great burning passion, and with that, the means to stop being passive and melodramatic (yep, this too was a revelation! My MC's a drama queen! Oh. The. Horror.). With this new purpose, I have high hopes that the main weak spot in my story will be eradicated. The story will emerge strong and shiny and awesome. As will my MC.

I'm excited. I really am. Even if it means scrapping what I have (it's up to Draft #5, people!!) and starting fresh. I'm not the rewriting type. I'm the edit what you've got till you drop type. But in this case, there would just be no point in editing.

I know lots of you have been in this position before. Maybe all of you! Right?!?!!? (I'm going off to find Wilson now, I need a volleyball hug. hehe)

19 comments:

  1. The dreaded re-write ... I've got a story I've been avoiding for months that needs it. I think you're onto something, though. It's an opportunity--a blank slate--to start over and REALLY make the story what we thought it could be in the first place.

    Loved your positive look at it!

    EJ

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  2. I like Wilson too and was impressed with Tom Hanks for keeping the audience interested when he's on his own in most of the film.

    I sent some of my WIP to a friend to read and she sent back copious comments that revealed how she saw the Mc's goals and traits. It was quite gratifying and informative.
    Good luck

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  3. I love Wilson -- he's in my curio.

    I am glad that you got good advice given in such a way that you want to continue and not give up.

    While a hug from Wilson is good. I find chocolate in trying times good too ;) **Here is a plate of double chocolate chip cookies to help you get started**

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  4. Hey Trisha,

    At least you got good feedback from someone you trusted, which says a lot about your ability to step outside and take an objective look at your work.

    Good Luck and thanks for signing up for my Got Green? Blog O'hop... looking forward to reading *your* post :)

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  5. I've had to do a big rewrite before. It's really hard and took me a long time to get it interwoven with what was left of my story. But I'm glad that I did. It made the book so much better.

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  6. Phew, I am done with the re-write! Now I am combing through in editing. But, Dee from Coming Home to Myself has wisely advised to not over edit. "Keep the integrity, the voice..." Good luck!

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  7. Good luck. You have a wonderful attitude about it.

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  8. I've done my share of rewrites. It can be daunting at first, but it also feels marvelous to have a distinct pathway for where the story should go. Sometimes you have to write it wrong before you can write it right. : )

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  9. It's going to be tough, but you have something to jump off from. Don't give up until you can type "the end".

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  10. I rewrote my first completed novel, adding 15k (which is a good thing for me) and improving the plot and characters. However, I fear I'm going to have to rewrite it again. It's not strong enough in parts, and it still needs to be lengthened and I still have to add character development. -le sigh- I'm also thinking that I might have to rewrite a big chunk of THINKING OF YOU. Hoping I'll just have to add scenes and revise others though.

    I love this post for the simple reason that you're updating us about your writing. Those are my favorite types of posts on anyone's blog.

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  11. OHHHH! I'm so excited for ya! As you clean it up, you'll be thrilled by the magic that happens. I have some books in draft 31! But! Most end around draft 8-11. Rewrites are my fave. Save it and go back if you don't like the changes. Nothing lost, experience gained. Good-luck!

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  12. It is a daunting prospect, but it sounds like you are going into it with the absolute best kind of attitude to have! The kind where you emerge a success. Best of luck with it all!

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  13. It's exciting to get a fresh idea, isn't it? Even if it is with a current project. I remember when I had a similar feeling with my current WIP and I am excited now because I am finally headed toward the finish line AND I have the beginning for another one that I have been pondering (yup, I'm a SLOW writer)! Cheers!

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  14. Thanks everyone - I knew I wasn't alone in being here or having been here! I've read about other people rewriting things from scratch, a fair few times. I guess now it's my turn! Eeeeek!

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  15. I haven't had to do a rewrite, since I'm only on the second draft of my first novel. But, when I did the first read through, I realized how wooden the relationships were and ate about a pound of chocolate for comfort. At least by knowing what you need to do, you have a direction, and it will get fixed and be all the more wonderful!

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  16. I've been there a few times before :) I've edited and tweaked and combed through my story thinking it was the last time, sent it to a cp, and it comes back covered in blue fixes. I love my cps! I would have started querying with a poopy story if not for them :) Good luck with the re-write. You can do it! It's going to be awesome, I'm sure ;)

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  17. Sending hugs. And a volleyball. :)

    P.S. I loved that movie.

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  18. Good luck with the rewrite! ...I've done that "giving the main character a purpose when she didn't have one before on occasion. Oh the trials of editing.

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Thanks for your words, me hearties! and don't forget to leave a link to your blog somewhere I can find it!