Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Manuscript Revision: Write Fast, Edit Slow
7:57 PM | 
Posted by
Lola Sharp |
Drafts/Rewrites/Revisions/Edits/Polishing.
Whatever you choose to call it, I'm up to my elbows in it.
When I'm sitting quietly with my thoughts, I imagine revisions not unlike performing surgery. Or pruning bonsai. Any growth that does not belong gets eliminated. Every word must be justified; every sentence, every paragraph, every chapter edited to its most honest, authentic shape. Art and function must coexist to move the story forward.
Marcus Aurelius said, “Nowhere, either with more quiet or more freedom from trouble, do we retreat than into our own souls,” into what Melville thought of as “that quiet, grass-growing place” where a writer ought to work. I need the time, the spaciousness, to find that grass-growing place so that I can complete this WiP (the sexy working title: 'WiP 3'--I know you're jealous). I will be limiting my time online for the next few weeks, posting and commenting only sporadically (once or twice a week). I will zip through my google reader once/day, read and keep tabs on everyone. I'll check my email once/day and return any pressing emails. But I need to retreat into my writing self for a little while.
One last note, I am looking for 2-ish serious critique partners/beta readers, in which I will give the same in return. If you are interested, please contact me via e-mail to further discuss: authorlolasharp at gmail dot com.
Love,
Lola
Whatever you choose to call it, I'm up to my elbows in it.
When I'm sitting quietly with my thoughts, I imagine revisions not unlike performing surgery. Or pruning bonsai. Any growth that does not belong gets eliminated. Every word must be justified; every sentence, every paragraph, every chapter edited to its most honest, authentic shape. Art and function must coexist to move the story forward.
Marcus Aurelius said, “Nowhere, either with more quiet or more freedom from trouble, do we retreat than into our own souls,” into what Melville thought of as “that quiet, grass-growing place” where a writer ought to work. I need the time, the spaciousness, to find that grass-growing place so that I can complete this WiP (the sexy working title: 'WiP 3'--I know you're jealous). I will be limiting my time online for the next few weeks, posting and commenting only sporadically (once or twice a week). I will zip through my google reader once/day, read and keep tabs on everyone. I'll check my email once/day and return any pressing emails. But I need to retreat into my writing self for a little while.
One last note, I am looking for 2-ish serious critique partners/beta readers, in which I will give the same in return. If you are interested, please contact me via e-mail to further discuss: authorlolasharp at gmail dot com.
Love,
Lola
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About Me
- Lola Sharp
- My name is Lola. (I'm not a showgirl) Yes, L-O-L-A Lola. It's the least of my worries. Let's move on, shall we? This blog is mostly about my misadventures on the journey to publication and beyond. My passion for lush prose, quirky characters, art, music, literature, performing arts and anything creative will be a major theme here. This journey of mine will not always be pretty. Much like rubbernecking a train wreck, I know sometimes you just can't help but look at the carnage that is often my life. So strap on your neck brace, helmet and 5-point harness and come along for the ride! Licentia poetica.
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53 comments:
Good luck, Lola! You're so right about making each word either do its job or take a hike. You can do it!
Work it, Lola! Good luck and I look forward to hearing about the finished product.
Authenticity and life spring from solitude...and I will be wondering and supposing and perhapsing as I think of you while painting. May passion inspire and discipline refine...
smooches
Good luck on revising! I have some of that to do myself. When April is over.
Good luck with the revisions. I know how painful they can be.
Good luck with your revisions!
I don't envy you - but good luck with the revisions!
Best of luck, darlin! You'll kick those revisions' butts! ;)
I hate revision... it takes all the fun out of writing for me.
Ah, I'm in a similar place. I've been putting my toes in the revision waters with my third book (called Anywhere) and I'm about to take the plunge into heavy edits.
Good luck on your revisions. My thoughts are with you!
Good luck with the revisions - such joy (yes that was sarcasm in case you were wondering). :)
Good luck girl! You can do it:)
Great minds think alike--I also wrote a post about revision today. Specifically having an openness and extravagance rather than trying to merely salvage. The quotes you mentioned sound like you're in the right frame of mind to revise with creativity and vigor.
I'm write there with you deep in revisions! It's tough business I was excited to get 3 chapters done this evening... they aren't easy!
I think I'll do better with revisions than writing the first draft. *sigh* Maybe I just wish I was further in the process. I loved your comment on my blog today. I felt truly encouraged by your words. Thanks so much :))
Good luck. I'm sure your book will be brilliant :o) XX
Good luck as you go through this phase!
I thought a grass growing place was...well...something else.
Nevermind. :)
Good luck with your revisions!! And you're right, I am SO jealous of that title!! ;)
Sometimes it just has to happen like this, because at least for me the blogging brain works different from the writing brain. I hope you get a lot done under your tree. The bonsai comparison is perfect!!
Ah! Love the bonsai tree! Good luck with the revisions--sounds like you're being super productive!
Best of luck, Lola. See you soon, hopefully.
Good luck with your revision!
- Sophia.
Good Luck with your revision and getting down n dirty serious with your novel!!
Take care
x
HAVE FUN! You'll get your revisions finished, and we'll be here when you get back to grace us with your lovely presence.
I love that picture of the girl typing on her laptop with the huge stack of books behind her! She probably resembles most of us, hahaha.
Everyone needs a reading retreat from time to time. Enjoy.
Love the photo of the girl on the laptop. Except that it's unrealistic...she would never have such good posture in that position. That's why God created trees - Nature's back support.
I'm always terrified that i'll prune too much, and my word count will be too little to justify publishing.
That would suck straight up...
hmmm, i posted a comment but it seems to have disappeared... i'll give it a moment to see if it pops up before re-writing it...
Love the cool, calm photos. Makes me feel better about revisions already! Sometimes it's hard to keep your head about the whole thing.
Good luck Lola!
Good for you. I'm ready to run screaming into my dark hole, too. I think once this A-Z blogging challenge is over, I'm going to unplug for a little while.
I get that, girl! I am headed there soon. Inter-Breakville, here we come :)
I'm taking my revisions a lot slower this time around. Good luck with yours.
Write fast and revise slow is something that took me a long time to understand. I used to write slow and then get burnt out by revision time.
Good luck, love. You'll get into the swing of it and knock those revisions out of this world! When you get the chance, I have an award for you at my blog. :o)
Good luck! Since your semi-neglect of those of us in blogger land is for a good cause we'll forgive you.
I think it's really smart to take some time "off" to focus on writing - but I'll miss you here on the blogosphere;) And I have an award for you!
I'm onto revisions too, so lets hope the moon is rightly placed for optimum improvement! I wish you a ton of luck getting everything JUST RIGHT!
Good luck! We'll be here when you come back :)
Good luck with your revisions. It will be worth the time :)
Good luck finding that quite place...grasshopper. :)
I may have to follow your example and retreat into my quiet place soon. I hope your semi-break is very productive!
Oops - I forgot to mention, there's something waiting for you at my blog. :)
I'm sleeping, eating and breathing revision right now. Good luck!
I sent you an email about your critique request! Let me know if you get it :)
Very good post. THanks! I need any little inspiration I can find these days, just to keep going.
I like your style. And echoing the above sentiments: good luck with your revisions.
See on your sidebar that you're a Ludo fan. :)ME TOO.
Love the image of the bonsai to illustrate your theme. There is an element of patience and pruning involved in the revision process.
Perhaps trimming bonzai trees will make us better revisionists? (don't steal my dream)
Blogging breaks are so needed. I hope you make some good progress while you're away.
Thank you for the support and well wishing, friends!!
I hate editing so I'm not looking forward to it but it's not going to be as bad as I fear. It's for a good cause.
Good luck with the revisions. It's my favorite part of writing. Good thing considering how long it takes. :D