I worked on a scene ALL weekend. Yep, you read that right. All weekend! UGH. Said scene just wasn't doing it for me. I know I'm in my first draft, but I vowed to fix this before moving on. Eureka! I did it! Now I cam move on in peace. This made me take special interest in Camy Tang's post yesterday. You have to go here to read it all. It is worth the extra click though.
I really love the idea for change that she talks about. Even something as simple as changing from day to night can spark your writing and bring you back to the story with a fresh perspective.
And as we all know, always, always try to make things worse for your poor characters. That emotional reaction to your characters draw the reader in. Way in!
So head over and check out the Story Sensei. Thanks Camy! :)
Drum roll please! Tomorrow is de day. Hmmm, Angie you must be gettin' to me. I'm cajun now.:) Stop by for the interview with Tess Hilmo. :)
Thanks for the linkity-link! I've bookmarked the site, printed off the material as well, and I'll be sure to forget about both, oh, say, the moment I hit 'post comment'. : )
ReplyDeleteStill, perhaps I'll retain a bit of the information. It happens every now and then. : )
Oh, and you're not alone on the whole one scene whole weekend thingy either. I have multiple t-shirts to prove that fact.
S
Scott: Are we twins? Your brain works exactly like mine. :)
ReplyDeleteGet a file and label it: writing stuff I don't want to forget. That way it's always at your fingertips. Sort of. I put mine right beside me. That way I never forget where it is. Well most of the time. :)
I want some t-shirts too. At least I don't feel like the time was wasted. Because I got something good. Even if it was ONE scene. :)
Great to hear you sorted that scene out. You go, girl!
ReplyDeleteI was at a writers conference table discussion with Alyson Noel, and she said she goes through her finished manuscripts scene-by-scene to be sure there is some change in every one. If she decides they don't move the story forward and can't be fixed, she dumps them. That is both awesome and scary to contemplate doing. But it's on my list of revision "to-dos."
I was glad to get that scene down. It wasn't right and I knew it.
ReplyDeleteGULP! That whole thing is astounding. But Tricia, it's now something I will tackle. It sounds overwhelming. But it's probably something that every writer does to some extent. So it shouldn't be too hard to do. :)
Cool, thanks for the link. I have trouble moving on in my story, too, unless my scene is really effective and necessary. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI need to do this for my opening scene to my series. It's seriously lacking in power.
ReplyDeleteCindy: I can't move on unless I'm sure it's as right as I can make it at that time. I'm glad I'm not the only one. :)
ReplyDeleteT.Anne: Opening scenes are so HARD! UGH! I worked on my opening scene for Seventy Two Hours for weeks. Good luck. You shall overcome girl! :)
Robyn - I have those nifty folders with labels. My folders are either puprle or orange. Work was getting rid of folders, so I'm all about the free stuff. But wait, then I must remember where I put my folder. It's usually on top of my All-in-One Printer thingy . . . and buried beneath everything else I toss on the printer thingy until the time I need the scanner option and then I remove and sort the pile. Le Sigh!
ReplyDeleteS
Yeah and don't forget when you have to put in a new ink cartridge. *she wipes forehead* Oh how we writers must toil!
ReplyDeleteHey, here's a thought! FILE CABINET! *grin*
Wow, thanks for sharing. She made it sounds so easy too. A scene goal. I think that'll really help.
ReplyDeleteHeyya Linda! Yeah it does sound easy. And even if it's not hopefully it'll be worth it. :)
ReplyDeleteRobyn, congratulations, on the progress! It makes me happy to hear about some success stories!
ReplyDeleteAh yes. The dreaded editing, scene fixing process. I hate it. It is especially hard when you know a scene or paragraph or passage just isn't working but you can't help but think of the hard work you put into it and just can't bring yourself to cut it. Writing really does require a lethal determination and a will of steel! Well done for getting through this awkward stage! To progress! :)
ReplyDeleteDavin, YAY for progress! :)
ReplyDeleteLou, I hate cutting. No matter what it is I can't stand to cut words that I've shed blood over. But cut we must. To progress! Cheers! :)
Fantastic link - and one I'm not familiar with. thanks! gotta love finding new sources of helpful information :)
ReplyDeletecheck your e mail...I've a question for you.
Tess, any new info I can use, I'll grab it! Especially free! :) See you tomorrow! :)
ReplyDeleteI hate editing when it's not going well. It's amazing how some scenes were great the first time I wrote them, but some scenes need so much re working.
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ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I'm working on the third draft of my NaNoWriMo novel and I was stuck on this one scene for at least a week. Granted, I didn't work on it that much during that week, but it's still annoying. Gad you got yours all straitened out.
ReplyDeleteOh! And thanks for the comment on my blog! Sorry it's taken me so long to reply.
~ Katherine Anne