The Word Cloud

6 Comments

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  by Bren 2 years ago

  you are brave. I expect it will be much better. I have been lying in the garden picturing just which chapters need to come out of my books. But I don't have the courage to start. Instead I began a new one knowing that all the experience of past years will help make this one tighter, and I won't worry about it being short as all my others were too long. Look how short Nick Hornby's are. :)
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  by Weens 2 years ago

  I empathise completely. I am currently editing/rewriting and I think I am chucking out more than I am rewriting so the word count is steadily going down. I started with a novel, and if I'm not careful, it's going to finish up a novella - sigh! However, it has to be better with out all the dross. We wouldn't chuck it out if it was good. I know my edited chapters read much better now, even with new material. Through it all, my original story is still there, I'm just telling it in a different way.
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  by CJ 2 years ago

  Like Weens, I also empathise completely and utterly - and I haven't even got to the whole novel stage yet! JUst try to bear in mind that at the end of it all, you'll have a lovely novel ready to be published... ;)
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  by Bradwyn 2 years ago

  I thought I was the only one doing a complete rewrite. I too started editing but found out that it didn't read any better, so with heave heart and a sore finger I've started my rewrite. I hope yours is going better than mine. GOOD LUCK.
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  by Minxie 2 years ago

  I recently sent mine off and additions were suggested, which can't be added without rewrites. Someimes rewrites spoil the flow, so a complete rewrite is needed, unfortunately. What I have done is go through highlighting scenes I'm no longer happy with, picking out the parts I don't want to change, typing it as a complete scene, reading through, then rewriting!!! It's not easy is it - bit boring :(
  
  On the plus side, you've got a complete piece of work, the story is there... just keep highlighting the parts you're not happy with and then go back to them. Don't let the rewrite spoil your natural flow. I put mine aside for a day then read again as if I were to read it straight after the 'extra' bits stand out too much and it's throwing me...
  
  Good for you that you're doing it - I suspect if you spoke to any writer you're at the hardest point - the point at which most of us decide to start working on something new. Don't be tempted - all your hard work will pay off
  
  Minxie
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  by lovecrime 2 years ago

  Keep going. Make a list of things that need changing, crossing off as you go so you can see progress. Keep any bits you cut - you might change your mind or you could use them some other time. And make time for yourself - maybe have one day a week to just do enjoyable writing, away from the edit, if you're finding it stressful.