Almost exactly three years ago, I began this blog in hopes of pushing myself to finally get something published. Four published short stories and a host of other writing projects in the works since then, I'm happy to say that the public shove worked.
Now, if I could just get on getting one of those novels out in the big world. It's always good to have goals, right?
January 18, 2010
So, I wrote a novel.
Eventually. It didn't start out that way.
Twenty some years ago it was six pages of scrawled pen marks. Then I took a creative writing course in school and the story grew to a hundred pages on an ancient clickty clack typewriter. Barrel of liquid white out anyone?
I wrote sequels!
At this point I realized the first story needed work. I don't remember why I realized this exactly. Sanity slipped in for a second, most likely. I rewrote the whole thing and expanded it. It was the most awesomest novel ever.
I let someone read it.
They informed me that it wasn't the most awesomest novel ever.
I rewrote it again and decided to go crazy and switch the entire novel from the pov of the female main character to the male main character. This was a great move, as it turned out, but whole loads of work. I lost track of how many times I rewrote it to get the male pov firmly inserted and the female to take the back seat. She did not like that! Not one bit. She's never forgiven me for it, in fact. Oh, but I had fun exploring the new pov. He grew and flourished and made the story everything I wanted it to be. Ah, bliss.
Then I let some one read it.
They informed me that it most certainly wasn't bliss.
What? How could they not love my 385,000 word novel? How, I ask?
At this point I joined a critique group and saw the light. And the editing knife. It was shiny. And sharp.
Three more rewrites, minus 267,000 words, and a host of cut characters and their corresponding subplots later...
I wrote a novel.
I understand what you're talking about with the knife. Sometimes changing PoV may work marvels, as well as critics. Best of lucks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! Turns out changing the pov was the best thing I could have done for that novel. He became my favorite character and inspired a totally new, much improved from previous efforts sequel.
DeleteCongratulations on the novel!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Now if I can only get it published or get the ambition to publish it myself. :)
DeleteShiny and sharp editing knives are the best. Good luck with your novel! It sounds like you've put a lot of work into it. =)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteCongratulations on your novel and all you've accomplished! It's great to meet you through this blogfest. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
DeleteVery nice post. "It was shiny. And sharp." haha
ReplyDeleteI think everyone's first novel is something they blunder through. I know it was for me. I was so clueless. (Still am, to a point). I wonder if I knew all the rules in the beginning if I would have ever gotten through the title page. But, I'm glad we did!
Ignorance is the only way we make it through that first novel. :)
Delete"It was shiny and sharp." I love that.
ReplyDeleteIn the middle of editing hell of my next release. Been cut a number of times on my own editing knife.
--
Tim Brannan
The Other Side
The Freedom of Nonbelief
Good luck with your editing. :)
Deletei love that tale of learning, harsh realities and a happy ending! lesson, persevere!
ReplyDeleteIndeed. :)
DeleteI have a series of novels that came to mind while reading this. I know I need to make some tough decisions about it when I get around to rewriting what I have, but I know it needs to be done.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing just how much work goes into one novel, isn't it?
Thanks for participating in my blogfest!
Thanks for hosting the blogfest!
DeleteEditing can be brutal, but it's well worth it in the end.
A great beginning of learning and writing. Nice determination!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
DeleteI like the "minus 267,000 words" line. I loved this post from beginning to end. It was awesome-sauce for me!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from L.G.'s blogfest - nice to meet you!
Nice to meet you too. Awesome-sauce is my favorite topping for life.
DeleteHi, Jean. Popping in from the blogfest. Lord, revising is tough! I'm doing that now with a book I just meant to *edit* but found myself revising bits here and there, even a full chapter! Gah!!! But the knife cauterizes as it cuts, so it's all good. I hope. :-)
ReplyDeleteI never seem to be able to just edit until at least the third time through. Good luck with your book!
Delete"How could they not love my 385,000 word novel? How, I ask?"
ReplyDeleteLOL - I love your sense of humor.
Great post! :D
Thanks for dropping by, Melissa!
DeleteI love that shiny editing knife - it's revolutionised my life! Great post :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Trisha!
Delete