Thursdays: On Writing
self doubt in revision.
So I write.I won't call myself a writer or an author. I"m not sure if I'm looking to make writing my career but I do think it was very awesome to get published.
I'm revising. I'm on the 12 draft. My process goes a little somehing like this. I write. I sent it to my betas, Alicia, Danielle, and Cid. I change EVERYTHING they say I should change, or add more detail to or whatever. Then I send them the next draft and I do it again.
A few days ago I TOTALLY rewrote my first chapter. I sent it to Cid. I won't do much more until I get her feedback.
Why?
I don't really trust myself at all. Look I can fix your story no problem, I just can't fix my own.
Revising is awful, because now I have to look at EVERY WORD in my novel and justify it's existence.
I'm not trying to be a bummer about it.
I AM trying to find something SUPER awesome about it.
My new favorite thing about revising is CUTTING USELESS WORDS.
Oh how I love it. No self doubt there.
So I compiled a list of WEAK words from various places. I did a find all, and wrote the number down. Next I did a find NEXT and looked at EVERY time I used that word. I decided if the word should stay or go. Lots of times I cut WHOLE sentences because I didn't say a damn thing in it.
There were 1299 empty words at the start of this. I got it down to 600. In a 74K novel--- not too shabby. And it's a way to feel INSTANTLY productive.
That 400 down to 200
Just- 49-- 18
Pretty 12 -6
Then 53- 28
Was…ing--- 205 ---58
Went 69 -- 25
Get 304- 172
Got 209- 139
Would 264
Have 255
had 409
make 88-- 50
go 137- 63
could 209
do 214
Felt 33-13
Heard 49
Saw 31 - 9
Looked 98- 27
Appeared 29
knew 53
As you can see, I haven't done it for every word, nor will I. But the novel is MUCH stronger for it.
Go, do it. You'll thank me later.
SO true. I realized recently that I overuse use "just". What did people do before find/replace? (or more accurately in this case, find/delete)
ReplyDeleteI'm saving these! Thanks
Oh man, do I ever feel your pain! I'm working on that rediculous paranormal romance I wrote at the beginning of the year. Ya want to know how many words I cut last night? You ready for this? 7,000. S-e-v-e-n t-h-o-u-s-a-n-d *gets a cookie for spelling* When I totaled up everything I cut last night I almost passed out. It hurts! It hurts a lot! But there's so much that needs to be rewritten!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I really like NSAA. It's funny and honest! Have I ever said that before? I like how the characters are honest about who they are. Fer serials!!
I actually like revising. But dude, you have to find yourself in the novel. You have to trust yourself. I think that's what makes the best authors. I just finished edits for my editor, and I didn't do every single little thing she suggested. I did about 90% of them -- in my own way. The story is mine, not hers. Your story is yours, not your CP's. I think that might be something to consider. When you trust yourself, you'll be more passionate about calling yourself an author or a writer.
ReplyDeleteI love slashing words too! It feels so good. I use Wordle at this stage of editing. Then I use the find tool. LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteYou may not call yourself a writer, but you are :P
ReplyDeleteGreat work on the editing. It's hard work, but it's great work.
I love slashing words too.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get some good feedback from your bud.
love the list of words you slashed :) I se so many books in print hat couldve done with that kind of overhaul of little words. makes such a difference