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Revision Quest
by Deb Lund
What’s the difference between people who dread revision and those who love it? Is it experience, or strategy, or (yikes) personality?
Characters head out on quests, and revision is a quest of its own.
When I talk about revision in school visits, I tell them how I can always tell the difference between little-kid writers and those who are a little more mature (obviously I don’t say this to the youngest audiences). Then I ask what little kids say when their teacher wants them to write more, and someone always answers correctly. “But I’m done!”
Writing is rewriting. You have to mine through lots of rock to get to the gems, and it’s in revision that you arrange those gems, polish them, and show them off in a setting you’ve designed. You might string them together like a necklace, revising the placement of each stone until it’s the perfect combination.
Two of my editors have told me I was their best reviser. I didn’t always fit that title. As writers (or creators of any art), we have these quirky voices in our heads that tell us we can’t do it, or it’s going to take too long, or it’s just too overwhelming to begin. And then those same voices have the audacity to tell us that we’re the only ones who struggle with revision. We look at the completed work of others and know it’s beyond us. We have a vision, but it doesn’t come out of our heads the way we see it before it lands on paper.
Guess what? That’s true for everyone! Nothing creative ever takes shape exactly the way it’s planned. We’re so busy judging others from the outside, not realizing that they may have the same insecurities as we do on the inside. We believe we’re doomed to fail the revision quest. Revision is where the line is drawn for some of us. We hand over our power, quaking, tiring as we near the finish line. We’re scared. We think this is where we find out if we are worthy or not. So we put it off until it becomes a big monster, a worse adversary than any villain we could create. It’s time to transform that monster.
Do you like jigsaw puzzles? Exploring new hiking trails? Are you a collector? Do you hit thrift stores looking for finds? When you read your favorite books, are you willing to go to the ends of the earth with those characters just to find out what happens? You need to kindle that same kind of passion when revising your own writing.
Revision doesn’t have to be the dirty work. Turn it into play! Host a revision party, dress up as your character, act out scenes, or dream up a handful of “What If…” questions for each scene that doesn’t trigger an emotion for you. Use your Fiction Magic card deck! Replace your judgment about revision with curiosity toward it. Tell yourself a new story about revision.
But yes, it’s true. People who like revision are neurotic. I know. I get downright obsessive with revision. And I love it—partly because of experience, maybe because of a few strategies I’ve learned, and (yikes) my quirky personality. But you can develop a love for revision, too. It just takes energy. A boost in passion. A willingness to let go of misbeliefs. And then you’re unstoppable.
The experience will come. There are strategies galore on this blog. Oh, and that personality thing? I lied. Personality has nothing to do with it. It’s something even quirkier than that. But it’s something you can change.
It’s attitude.
You’re a writer, and as I always say (and you can quote me on this), “Sometimes the stories writers most need to revise are not the ones they write, but the ones they tell themselves about their writing.”
Change your story = change your attitude = change your outcome.
Best wishes on your quest…
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Link for “Fiction Magic…”:
http://deblund.com/debs-services/fiction-magic/
Link for “Kidlit Creativity Camp”:
http://deblund.com/debs-services/for-writers/sept-15-18-writers-retreat/
50 comments :
I'm ready to join you in your neurosis and have fun with my PB that really needs a new slant. What a great reframe!
Here's a pep talk I can come back to on those days when I'm faced with a draft and I don't know where to begin. Thanks!
What a refreshing--and I mean re-freshing--post. Thanks, Deb, and Meg!
I have yet to experience what I would call a great revision but I will keep on digging! Thanks for the encouragement.
Great advice -- will inspire great revisions!!!
Is it wrong to love revision so much?
I love watching a story take shape from the first draft which is always rough through the addition of details and examples and then finally getting around to reshapeing.
Thank you, Deb. The revision tips and encouragement were needed today. I have BIC and will keep your advice in mind :)
Great post! I love the line, "You have to mine through lots of rocks to get to the gems." My problem is knowing when to STOP revising
Love the idea of mining through "lots of rocks to get to the gems." Thanks for the encouraging post, Deb!
Ooo, I love these tips. Especially the revision party. Dressing as my character sounds like a lot of fun. I'm gonna slay that big monster (dragon) :-) today. Thanks, Deb and Meggers.
I actually love revision. I find drafting challenging. But I've noticed that's an unusual reversal of most writers.
I have that issue too. Deadlines are a writer's best friend.
Thanks for this post! My current story is stumping me, but I am going to attempt a revision party.
I love revision...it's an opportunity to reach possibilities!
Thank you, Deb. The revision component is one my favorite parts of writing. What amazes me most, though, is how an editor revises the revision and makes it all the better.
Deb...I absolutely love your analogy of revision to a piece of jewelry...arranging and rearranging the gems in the setting until they are shown off to perfection. That is just lovely! Revision is one of my favorite parts of writing...but getting the perfect beginning and the perfect ending is darn hard and arranging the middle so everything flows perfectly not easy either. You've helped a great deal with that analogy...I will think of it like that now...like a jeweler, with precious gems...creating a masterpiece. ;)
I'm a fan of revision time! To watch a character grow as his/her world evolves is exciting.
You're preaching to my choir! I LOVE the game. It's my obsession. Thanks for a great post!
Thank You, Deb! Your analogies are both inspirational and fun! I'm looking forward to this round of revisions!
Love the quote about changing attitude! Great post!
Great post. Thanks for the advice!
Excellent post. I don't mind revision. But I do dread reading critiques even though my CPs are wonderful! But then I get over it and get down to work.
Thanks, Deb - I think you're right about the attitude part. Sometimes I dread the thought of revising, but when I just relax and think "what if I tell this from a different POV" then it becomes an adventure.
Thanks, Deb. I guess I'm a little neurotic and quirky, because I love revision.
Excellent post, Deb! I used to be so scared of revision because of what you said, "we have these quirky voices in our heads that tell us we can’t do it, or it’s going to take too long, or it’s just too overwhelming to begin." But now I do love it because of the end result! It's so fun to see it all polished up :-)
I knew I was a writer when I realized I loved to revise. Thanks for an encouraging post.
It's the attitude, yup, i get it. I love your line Deb about the story we write about ourselves as writers. My head is full of those negative stories right now. So, I will try to dispel them and pull out my Fiction Magic Cards and see where stye lead. Thanks for the push.
And you did it 'cuz you got a dragon book to prove it!
:D
I love this line: “Sometimes the stories writers most need to revise are not the ones they write, but the ones they tell themselves about their writing.”
Thanks so much for this post, Deb and Meg ~ it was timely as I push through revision, reminding myself of that polished gem waiting at the end. :)
Deb, you could turn anything into a party, I believe! Thanks for a great post. Love your quote about writers often needing to revise the stories they tell themselves!
Love this - SO much truth! (And by the way - I DID quote you. On FB :D) Great stuff!
Generally, I do enjoy revising, but, of course, not always. Great tips!
A revision party! I can buy into that. Your quote at the end was exactly what I needed to hear today. Thanks!
It was what I needed to hear, too. That's why I said it. ; )
I did see your post! Made me smile... And I always love revising, once I can get myself going on it. Is that the "not always" part for you, too?
Only when I'm in the party mood, Linda! (Ask my kids...) ; )
I use that sentence a lot—especially on myself!
Oh, Kathy. Just hearing the stories is huge. I didn't even recognize them for what they were for years. Um, decades, maybe? I hope the Fiction Magic cards help with that revising!
Yes! And you're welcome...
In general, yes - but sometimes I fall I love with my words and don't want to "mess with them," no matter what they do to the story. Silly - but it happens. :) Thanks for responding!
Good, Penny! Sometimes the voices are too much for me, and I just have to force myself to take the tiniest baby step to get going. And you're right—what a great gift to see the progress and polished version!
Much needed traits in writers! ; )
I love that you look at it as an adventure. It really is, isn't it!
I get that. Isn't it interesting that we judge ourselves or think we're being judged with critiques? If we could only keep in mind that they're gifts of new perspectives!
Vivian, your reflection of what I said coming back to me came at a perfect time. Thank you for expanding on that analogy and reminding me what this work is about. Back to my revision...
Oh, let us know how that goes! Good luck.
You're welcome. I need them myself, so I might as well share, right? ; )
I'm actually looking for just the right costume for one of my characters. We should have a "Dress as your Character" day! I'll think about this... ; )
It's not silly at all! And that part gets easier...
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