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
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