Friday, June 6, 2014

Rewrites, rewrites and more rewrites


I have been rewriting the first 5 pages of my New Adult project for review and trying to incorporate some feedback I got on them already.

Every time I rewrite them they are completely different.  It is almost a different story.  They certainly have had a different tone each time.  I edit the rewrite and then when I think it is perfect I look at the original and like the original better but want to incorporate some of the new version.  Then I incorporate and edit and review and decide to rewrite it completely from scratch.

I rewrite and then edit and review and go back to the original and like the tone from the original better but some of the concepts and phrases in the new version are quite good.

This little scene continues to play out again and again and I still don't have the pages to show and have too many versions and I am so burnt out I can't look at them anymore with any objectivity, but I have a deadline so I must press on.

I am amazed at how differently I can write the same thing and that I cannot pick just one I am happy enough with to pass on.  This is new for me and while I thought completely rewriting it was a good way to go at first now I am not sure because I am more confused than ever.

Has anyone ever done this to themselves?  If so how'd you fix it?  Especially when you couldn't walk away and give yourself the benefit of time.

Thanks my friends.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Go California Chrome!
Happy writing!
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4 comments:

  1. cleemckenzieJune 6, 2014 at 8:24 AM

    I'd step away and think about that through line and those characters. What tone do want? Then once you've sorted all of that out. go through your mss. and highlight what consistently develops the story you want to write, what characterizes the people in your story best and what conveys the tone you've decided upon. Take the highlighted stuff and create a new doc. Keep all the rest separately. You never know when you'll be able to use it. Good luck.

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    Replies
    1. Kathryn ThorntonJune 6, 2014 at 11:29 AM

      That is wonderful advice. Thank you. I know the tone I want but I had not stepped back enough to think of the five pages in terms of the whole story, can't see the forest for the trees!
      Have a wonderful weekend.

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  2. Hilary Melton-ButcherJune 6, 2014 at 11:59 PM

    Hi Kat - good luck with your rewrites ... but thanks for reminding me about Go California Chrome .. I was able to email a young blogging friend, Lenny, as he was excited about today's racing with Go California Chrome!

    Cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  3. FeJune 13, 2014 at 1:46 PM

    You’ve been nominated for the Liebster Award. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete

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