Today I'm starting back into a novel I thought I'd finished writing. The last third of the book is set in New Orleans and I need to update for the effect of Katrina, and I want to clarify a couple of other things while I have it "opened up."
It's not as hard as it might sound; I know (pretty much) the changes I want to make. On the other hand, every change in a story seems to necessitate others. So this is not a small undertaking either.
THE OBSTACLES I DEAL WITH IN STARTING A REVISION:
the fear that I can't do it
the fear that I'll mess up what's already there
the weary feeling that I've already spent enough time in this story
the question: is it possible that "deep down" some part of me doesn't want to
be immediately clear and finish stories quickly, that I really want to be
"hard to get"
THE GREAT THING ABOUT STARTING A REVISION:
once I've begun I'm involved and excited again
I discover new things to explore
I know I'll get where I'm going eventually
And so the thing now is simply to take a deep breath and begin.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Blogroll Me!
ANXIOUS WRITER ATTEMPTS ADVENTUROUS LIFE
Search This Blog
Writing Books, Seeking God, Teaching Writing, and Coping with OCD
I’m a writer who dodged being a minister; I saw that my dharma, my calling, was instead to write about body and spirit, to explore in fiction my metaphysical questions. I’ve spent the past 35+ years as a freelancer, with 2 novels, 2 nonfiction books, magazine and newspaper articles from 25+ countries, a few seasons as a TV reporter, copy for ad agencies, a winter in India, and my manuscript and career consulting services for writers.
It’s not because I’m naturally lion-hearted that I’ve chosen the topic of bold living and bold writing. It’s because I aspire to living and writing with courage. I wrestle with these matters; I even have a touch of an anxiety disorder, specifically obsessive-compulsive disorder. You probably know the saying: we teach what we need to learn.
I post here about daily fears and triumphs, about writing and, if I ever get my courage up, about mysticism, the ultimate brazen act: direct experience of God. I hope you’ll leap into the wide-ranging conversation here and come back often. I hope you’ll find the talk here encouraging for your own adventures.
It’s not because I’m naturally lion-hearted that I’ve chosen the topic of bold living and bold writing. It’s because I aspire to living and writing with courage. I wrestle with these matters; I even have a touch of an anxiety disorder, specifically obsessive-compulsive disorder. You probably know the saying: we teach what we need to learn.
I post here about daily fears and triumphs, about writing and, if I ever get my courage up, about mysticism, the ultimate brazen act: direct experience of God. I hope you’ll leap into the wide-ranging conversation here and come back often. I hope you’ll find the talk here encouraging for your own adventures.
Followers
Blogroll, Book Links, etc.
PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE:
PeggyPayne.com
To Buy My Books:
American gathers courage in a Hindu holy city
A preacher-mystic dares to tell about the voices
Giving can heal and empower the giver
A business encourages bold thinking
Using This Blog
"Everything Peggy Payne has critiqued for me has gotten published and in venues such as Image, Shenandoah, and The Missouri Review. Her advice on structure was indispensable in revising my memoir, Gods of Noonday."
Elaine Neil Orr
Blog Archive
- ► 2010 (140)
- ► 2009 (298)
- ► 2008 (281)
- ► 2007 (157)
- ► 2006 (102)
4 comments:
Peegy,
I love revisions. Especially after a session of mutual critquing at one of my writer groups. Compared to starting a project and laboring to get it all 'down,'
revising is a puff, a pleasure that accelerates as I put a section to bed with pleasure and relief.
Impressed with your blogging prowess, too.
Gene HUll
i feel very similarly about important relationships--i remember once a woman thot i couldnt be Right for her cz id done something very unmannerly--& she allowed me to be/do what i wanted, & when that proved way-limited/limiting, she took up w/ me again for the good reasons we'd been attracted to each other for in the first place, not expecting deeper connection cz'a what i'd done--& we fell in love forever-now
-20-some years ago it was, & we're both far better off & together cz she bravely followed her heart as i was following mine.
I like revision better too, Gene. I feel I'm working on something that's already real. As opposed to pulling stuff out of the air.
Post a Comment