Two New Beginnings (and some ends)
Posted by CM under Friends, Ornithology, Writing on Sun 15 Apr 2007
he lovely India Carolina, my CP and very good friend, now has a blog and a website. You probably remember her warmth, her charm, and her lovely writing from FanLit. Visit!
In other news, I just have to wrap up a few loose odds and ends now. Whew! I’ve had time to think about Book One. I revised my synopsis and figured out how to fix a problem in the middle of the book and the end of the book. And I finally figured out what had stumped me for ages. The first meet between my hero and heroine is wrong. It doesn’t work. The mechanics of the meet are fine, even though I agonized about those for ages. But the substance of the conversation–written well before I had really let either character get into my head–doesn’t work with the two anymore. It needs to be rewritten. Not revised; rewritten entirely from scratch.
Okay, I can deal with that. But at this point I have a plan. I’ve realized that the boring little bits in the middle don’t work because they aren’t telling a story, and I finally figured out that there is a story there–an interesting and important story–that needs to be told. It’s good to finally “get” the book again.
So what about you? Do you love India’s new site? Do you have any exciting new beginnings, or ends to share? Let me know.
April 15th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Wow, CM, I believe I have the world’s best C.P.’s and friends! Thanks for the support. I hear you about the rewrites. As you well know, I had many sections of Twist that had to be scrapped and completely rewritten, not merely revised. It’s a good thing, though because now your characters are alive. And you’ve got a great story. I can’t wait to read more.
April 15th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Hi, CM.
I think India’s new site is lovely. If I was able to access goggle, I’d tell her so, but , alas, they are not accepting my password tonight.
Must love the Internet.
I think that’s the joy of the first draft–learning to understand your characters. Rewrites are inevitable, yes? I certainly hope so. I can’t wait to read your story.
Are you enjoying Beau Monde?
Gillian
April 15th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
India’s site is gorgeous!
Rewriting. . .ain’t it the devil in disquise? But, wouldn’t you know, I always end up with something better in the end. So, good luck!
I’m writing a book in a month (and instead of writing, I’m blogging. . .hmmm. . . what does that say?).
Just got back from camping and am too tired to write. . . but, tomorrow it is back to the keyboard!
April 15th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Love India! Love CPs! Love the website! Must figure out how to make one of my own… I know I have a book on the essentials of web design… somewhere!
April 15th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
India, we’re glad to have you!
Gillian, I love the Beau Monde. Very wonderful. And rewrites are not only inevitable, they are . . . fun. I like rewriting. I’m still in the “rewriting” stage, not the revising stage. Sigh. Revising is a much more autopilot activity.
Ericka: Book in a month is very brave. Good luck!
And Sara: you’ll definitely have to make one of your own, especially now that you’re getting requests from agents. I’m so jealous of you all.
April 16th, 2007 at 7:35 am
2008, CM. 2008. The name’s going to be so big by then, they’ll be sending you the query letters!
April 16th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Great site! Thanks for the link. And yes, I’m a much bigger fan of rewriting than of struggling endlessly with something you know deep down doesn’t work. Good luck!
April 16th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Sara–again, I say ha! Only you, and your stalking ways.
And Lacey, rewriting is a bitch, especially when you like 90% of what you wrote, and think that maybe, just maybe it kind of might work if you just close your eyes and squint at the text….