Friday 13 December 2013

Starting Over, or ten reasons why I'm ditching everything

So, I wrote a novel. It was OK. I thought it was quite good. And perhaps it was. But it wasn't Good Enough. I despaired, I ranted, I sulked. I threw not only the baby out with the bathwater, but all the words too. Then I picked them up. And picked myself up. And I had some lovely, kind, helpful, insightful feedback. I'm starting over. From scratch. Anew. Without looking at any of those soggy, bathwater words. And this is why I'm pleased about it.

1. Not good enough can always become better.

2. No words are wasted. Even those you throw away have helped to shape your world, your characters, your plot.

3. If you can't let go of your story, then it's yet to be written. It's just not the right shape yet.

4. Re-writing is scarier than re-drafting but it's fresh, exciting and, sometimes, the only way forward.

5. The thrill of finding the right story cannot be beaten.

6. I love this story. It's my story. Even if no one else ever reads it, I must write it. And I need it to be good.

7. This character in my head will not let me go until she is done. She's had a tough time. She wants to tell me all about it. How can I not let her do that?

8. As new ideas flood my mind, I am carried into my character's world. Who needs cinema? This is much better!

9. If I don't carry on writing, people (thank you fellow SCBWIers) will nag me.

10. We all know about Ernest Hemingway's first drafts. Why should I be any different?

So it's onwards and upwards, but most of all, inwards!

28 comments:

  1. This is all very positive! I decided to rewrite a story recently. Though I haven't actually started doing it yet.

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  2. Yes, yes, yes! It IS scary but finally when you arrive at the correct (and most likely unexpected) destination, you will know. After ten years of writing children's fiction I've finally "Got it", finally understand. And I think, with my latest m/s, I might have arrived at the right place. And it is SO worth it (read this thread again in June, when you're having doubts). Good luck.
    Karen

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    1. Thanks you. What an excellent suggestion to read this in June! Glad you've found the right place.

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  3. I think it can be very freeing to decide to do this and the words will be much better second time around. Who knows, you may even get to sneakily cut-and-paste a few really good sentences from the previous draft when no-one's looking!

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    1. Freeing but scary. I am SO tempted to do a bit of cut and pasting but am so far resisting it!

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  4. I absolutely subscribe to rewriting - though time does take its toll, you always end up with something better! Go, Sue!

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  5. This speaks to me, as I'm in exactly the same position following a critique group meeting. (It was helpful and since I too like my story I'm going to follow your example.) I intended to re-write anyway, but it is encouraging reading the determination of others. Thanks.

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  6. This is brilliant and something I understand totally. Go get'em Sue I know you can do it. Can't wait to read it

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    1. Ha, Ness. You may have something of a wait! But I do have a self-imposed deadline for first draft by end of April. Fingers crossed!

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    2. Ha ha! I am in exactly the same position and just read what you wrote about having a self-imposed deadline of the end of April and thought, 'Oh I've got much more time. I've got til the beginning of May.'

      *penny drop*

      So we are completely in sync in both what we are doing, the timing we're giving ourselves!! Good luck!

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    3. Miriam, you KNOW that means we'll have to keep up with the RFH sessions! :-)

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  7. Completely and utterly brilliant post, Sue! I very much look forward to reading this wonderful piece of work one day!

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    1. Not as much as I look forward to you reading it! :-)

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  8. Good for you, Sue. I totally know the feeling. My current WIP is a complete rewrite of an old story. Couldn't let it go and now it's much better. Best of luck with this new version - you're doing the right thing!

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  9. That is bravely honest. I quietly hide my failed projects, discretely moving on!

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    1. You have failed projects! Surely not!

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    2. I saw a sign the other day that said: "If at first you don't succeed, hide all the evidence that you tried"

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    3. And that's why I bought the shredder!

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  10. Power to you Sue! There's a freedom in letting the old draft go.

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    1. Thanks, Paula. Although the temptation to peek back and borrow just some of the old draft is sometimes quite overwhelming. So far resisted!

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  11. Enjoy your voyage of discovery, Sue!

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    1. Thank you, Jan. The voyage keeps taking new turns!

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