I think, in the end, I do just need a break.
But I also think that break is coming to an end.
So, what next?
Well, I've been playing around with this idea.
See, as most of you know, I believe that most people's first novel is a practice novel. But, in my case, I needed more than one practice novel.
But there's this one practice novel...I love it. I've come back to it again and again.
And now I think I'm going back to it one more time. Like a moth to a flame. I'm going to completely rewrite it. Bones up. Take the plot from the story I love, and dress it with the writing skills I've developed since I've written more, different novels.
In the past, I took the original file and tweaked it.
Not this time.
This time, I rewriting. Every word. From almost-scratch (there are a few scenes I want to keep--but literally, just a few).
How about you? Have you ever gone back to a rough draft after writing another novel since then?
12 comments:
I think the question for me becomes, have I ever not done that? Sigh. So much rewriting.
Good luck with your project, Beth - I know it will turn out great.
No, but I've THOUGHT about it. :)
Yes. In fact, I've rewritten one novel - changed the main character's name quite a few times - a number of times. I recently (back in March, I believe) went back and did an overhaul/semi-rewrite of the project. I love it. Now, I liked what I wrote in the past, but I loved the reinterpretation of this project.
So, rewrite away and have the time of your life while doing it.
S
Good for you! I think it takes a lot of courage and patience to go back to a book and tear it up and start over, but sometimes a story is just that good. Best of luck, can't wait to hear about it. I'm sure it will be awesome. Your story is lucky to have you! ; )
Yes. From scratch. But it was an idea I'd never finished since it was only partially done and then when the harddrive crach, I took that as a sign from beyond that it just wasn't working. 8 years later, I wrote form the beginning with only the concept and better storytelling skills.
I can't tell you if it's good or not, since I have not looked at it the 3 weeks since I finished it (this weekend starts the revision....) but I enjoyed the writing of it more than you can imagine.
Shelley
I've never done gone back. I've thought about it, but the thought of months and months of rewriting something I've already finished makes me a little sick to my stomach.
I am very impressed though! I think if it's an idea you still love and you know you can write better now it's definitely worth some time and energy. Good luck!
I've gone back, and I'll do it at least one more time. My first book I've completely rewritten from the very first novel I wrote clear back in high school. And it's a beauty now. Still needs work, but it's been an awesome experience! I had to go back to it. I couldn't stop thinking about it for 12 years!
Rewriting is HARD, though. It's harder than writing from scratch a completely new novel. Lots of reasons why.
I know this because I'm rewriting Monarch, technically my third novel, and I will be rewriting my second novel sometime in the future. Yes, I'm a rewriter. I think all three of these books have been "practice" novels. I've learned how to write from them!
Oh yeah, I have. I wrote my first (practice) novel about eight years ago. Once I realized it was a derivative pile of crap, I shoved it deep into a drawer never to be seen again. :)
Then, I wrote another novel, which I absolutely loved. But I set it aside because something was wrong and I didn't know how to fix it. After writing yet another novel, I went back to it and rewrote it from scratch. But it was STILL not right. So I set it aside again, wrote yet another novel, and just this year came back to it. I rewrote it from scratch again, and FINALLY it's taking shape. It took seven years to get to this point, but I'm very glad I never gave up on it. I love it too much. :)
I've gone back, but I hadn't written a complete novel in between only a partial. Good luck going back.
Yup. Wrote my first novel during NaNo '06. Current novel started in NaNo '07. Before NaNo '08 began, for which I had a completely different idea, I decided to rip out half of Novel #1 and create a new ending. Did that quickly during October, then switched to Novel #3 for November. It's a juggling act, right?
It's good to get a bit of a breather once in a while -- gotta recharge. You're keeping your writing habits juiced via your blog till you can get pumped about your (re-)new(-ed) project.
Looking forward to posts about that project (and news re: A Long Way Home)!
I haven't done it yet, but it's in a drawer waiting--not tossed out. I think you'll be happily amazed at what you can bring to it now. Good luck!
Oooh, I'm terribly excited you know. I've been pondering on doing that to one of my old manuscripts, you know, give it the complete scrub down. That sounds like a great solution.
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