re-write or edit? - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T17:07:42Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/rewrite-or-edit?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A188581&feed=yes&xn_auth=noJohn, Just out of curiousity,…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-04-04:537324:Comment:1915912009-04-04T19:10:03.173ZminervaKhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/minervakoenig
John, Just out of curiousity, did your editor request those changes that generally? Or did she give you specific directions about how to make the beginning spookier, etc.? Having never worked with an editor, I'm kind of wondering how much leeway the writer gets in those situations...
John, Just out of curiousity, did your editor request those changes that generally? Or did she give you specific directions about how to make the beginning spookier, etc.? Having never worked with an editor, I'm kind of wondering how much leeway the writer gets in those situations... Every time I see that a male…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-04-04:537324:Comment:1915682009-04-04T14:36:42.677ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Every time I see that a male author chooses a female protagonist, I wonder why. Nothing wrong with it, of course, but I always suspect it has something to do with a market where more women buy mysteries.
Every time I see that a male author chooses a female protagonist, I wonder why. Nothing wrong with it, of course, but I always suspect it has something to do with a market where more women buy mysteries. Good topic. With my novel "Bl…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-04-04:537324:Comment:1915022009-04-04T00:27:32.349ZJohn Desjarlaishttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnDesjarlais
Good topic. With my novel "Bleeder," the acquisitions editor suggested a number of changes that I knew strengthened the book, and I went with them. But none of them involved some major revelation about a character. The editor wanted the motive for the murder deepened, she wanted the beginning tightened and made spookier, and the ending more explosive, and some other stuff.<br />
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With the sequel in progress, I've had to start over three times because of new revelations about the supporting cast, not…
Good topic. With my novel "Bleeder," the acquisitions editor suggested a number of changes that I knew strengthened the book, and I went with them. But none of them involved some major revelation about a character. The editor wanted the motive for the murder deepened, she wanted the beginning tightened and made spookier, and the ending more explosive, and some other stuff.<br />
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With the sequel in progress, I've had to start over three times because of new revelations about the supporting cast, not my protagonist (though I learn more about her all the time - but nothing that will fundamentally change the story). Some re-writing is caused by new information I learn about police procedure. I don't mind starting over; I'm able to salvage chunks and do a copy/paste re-write. I'm confident that my next go at it will be a straight-through draft, without this recursive re-writing. Each start has been more-or-less right, and so I don't feel like I'm starting from scratch. In his book On Writing, King…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-26:537324:Comment:1900552009-03-26T08:16:18.420ZJessicahttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Jessica
In his book <i>On Writing</i>, King mentions that he usually writes two drafts, then a polish.<br />
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I myself tend to do a bit of both. Editting the words I used and re-writing the parts I don't like, sometimes adding whole scenes when I get one of those pesky epiphanies. Normally I get them at midnight, and I know if I don't get up, I'll lose it... dammit!
In his book <i>On Writing</i>, King mentions that he usually writes two drafts, then a polish.<br />
<br />
I myself tend to do a bit of both. Editting the words I used and re-writing the parts I don't like, sometimes adding whole scenes when I get one of those pesky epiphanies. Normally I get them at midnight, and I know if I don't get up, I'll lose it... dammit! I'm too lazy to rewrite, but…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-21:537324:Comment:1889512009-03-21T14:45:07.956ZJohn Doddshttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnDodds
I'm too lazy to rewrite, but I do edit. I always think you can pick and pick at something until it falls apart. My inclination is that, if one book isn't quite right, even after editing, I'd much rather write another rather than rewrite the current one. Stephen King never censored or edited as he wrote, though I am sure he edited later. I wonder if rewriting isn't just another delaying tactic (fear of rejection, maybe, perfectionism, I don't know). When you consider Ray Bradbury, or someone…
I'm too lazy to rewrite, but I do edit. I always think you can pick and pick at something until it falls apart. My inclination is that, if one book isn't quite right, even after editing, I'd much rather write another rather than rewrite the current one. Stephen King never censored or edited as he wrote, though I am sure he edited later. I wonder if rewriting isn't just another delaying tactic (fear of rejection, maybe, perfectionism, I don't know). When you consider Ray Bradbury, or someone said, "You have a million words of crap in you before you become a real writer" I believe him and keep moving forward. Good luck, though. Would be interesting to hear how it goes. I'm not sure that it's good a…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-18:537324:Comment:1886102009-03-18T14:01:27.138ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
I'm not sure that it's good advice, but I'm with B.R. on this. I immediately get involved in what happens when I'm making changes. It's a journey of discovery, and I can't resist taking it.
I'm not sure that it's good advice, but I'm with B.R. on this. I immediately get involved in what happens when I'm making changes. It's a journey of discovery, and I can't resist taking it. It took 8 months to rewrite.…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-18:537324:Comment:1886082009-03-18T13:59:46.578ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
It took 8 months to rewrite. The plot did not change, but the characters became more distant, and the style was much less poetic. Past tense is the tense of plot narrative. Present tense is both more dramatic and more poetic. That's what I learned. Maybe it was worth 8 months. The new book has yet to sell. (And I should add that I never keep the old version. I overwrite). I believe my agent wanted a commercially viable book, and I wanted insight into a woman's character as she survives in…
It took 8 months to rewrite. The plot did not change, but the characters became more distant, and the style was much less poetic. Past tense is the tense of plot narrative. Present tense is both more dramatic and more poetic. That's what I learned. Maybe it was worth 8 months. The new book has yet to sell. (And I should add that I never keep the old version. I overwrite). I believe my agent wanted a commercially viable book, and I wanted insight into a woman's character as she survives in incredibly troubled times. Personally, I don't mind rewr…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-18:537324:Comment:1885812009-03-18T05:39:50.741ZB.R.Statehamhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BRStateham
Personally, I don't mind rewriting. This character epiphany also means there is going to be a major revision in the plot at well. New doors open up--new scenes emerge. It's like entering a house of mirrors with this revision. It looks like the same story line, but it's oh so very different! Revising then becomes very exciting.
Personally, I don't mind rewriting. This character epiphany also means there is going to be a major revision in the plot at well. New doors open up--new scenes emerge. It's like entering a house of mirrors with this revision. It looks like the same story line, but it's oh so very different! Revising then becomes very exciting. I completely agree with this…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-18:537324:Comment:1885602009-03-18T03:26:57.602ZAndrew Kenthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/AndrewKent
I completely agree with this advice. The epiphany be just a bad idea dolled up for a party. Keep the chain on the door and hear what it has to say first, through small edits. Then, if you like what's going on, toss off the chain and invite it in.<br />
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But I'll wager that after 80K words, the epiphany will look a bit hinky standing on the porch once you give it the once-over, and that you'll end up closing the door on it. Happens all the time to me.
I completely agree with this advice. The epiphany be just a bad idea dolled up for a party. Keep the chain on the door and hear what it has to say first, through small edits. Then, if you like what's going on, toss off the chain and invite it in.<br />
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But I'll wager that after 80K words, the epiphany will look a bit hinky standing on the porch once you give it the once-over, and that you'll end up closing the door on it. Happens all the time to me. Revising! Such a better word!…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-18:537324:Comment:1885492009-03-18T02:43:43.339ZminervaKhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/minervakoenig
Revising! Such a better word!<br />
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Y'know, I rarely have them at night as I'm falling asleep. It's always when I'm out of the house, doing something completely unrelated to the book. That old advice about keeping a notebook next to the bed? Pointless, for me. I keep a little notebook in my wallet instead.
Revising! Such a better word!<br />
<br />
Y'know, I rarely have them at night as I'm falling asleep. It's always when I'm out of the house, doing something completely unrelated to the book. That old advice about keeping a notebook next to the bed? Pointless, for me. I keep a little notebook in my wallet instead.