Rewrite misery (aka: at least she liked my zombie)

MelodyO · Oct 28, 2008

I just got back suggestions from my beta for the first draft of my novel. She loved the plot, loved the characters -- and thinks it would be best if I dropped one of my MCs (with POVs) from three to two. And didn't feel the story really started until Chapter 8, so could I mesh the first chapters with the later chapters? And change the name of one of the characters? And take out the sex scene, which seemed forced? And add more description throughout?

Sigh. I respect her opinion a great deal, and think what she said is right on the money, but damn. That's a lot of rewrites. Do any of you have any horrifying rewrite stories with a happy ending, or just general advice or encouragement, or even just a hug? This being a writer thing is haaaard. /whine

Namatu · Oct 28, 2008

MelodyO said:
Do any of you have any horrifying rewrite stories with a happy ending, or just general advice or encouragement, or even just a hug? This being a writer thing is haaaard. /whine

I just finished polishing my rewrite and am very pleased with it. The thought of doing it sucked, but it was invigorating too because I had a much better sense of what needed to be done. Getting it done is the hard part, but if it were easy, would you really want to do it?

Mumut · Oct 28, 2008

I found it hard at first but I realised the need to do it so I gritted my teeth and got it done. As you say, it's not fun while you're doing it. But when I read it again afterwards and realised it was so much better, I realised it had all been worth while. And now I'm published, so the proof of the pudding ....

Anyway, good luck and I hope it all turns out well for you.

geardrops · Oct 28, 2008

I looked at my first draft of my first real novel, which I finished in June of this year.

And then I tossed it to the side and started writing it all over again. I'm now 25% through (having started 2 months ago).

I feel your pain.

Madison · Oct 28, 2008

Yep, lots of horror. One time I decided to add a character - a villian - after the rough draft was finished. That was awful. But it worked out and I like it so much better now. Um... this summer I totally tore my rough draft to shreds. It was so confusing I almost pulled my hair out (mc decided to fall in love with someone else, then changed mind again... and again) but in the end it was for the best, and the book is so much better for it.

So yep it's hard. I totally agree/sympathize/understand. But think of the final product - your novel will be hugely improved!

Mr Flibble · Oct 28, 2008

I had to cut my MS word count down by half. That was a nightmare. But Hel's knickers it was better after!

That which does not kill us makes us stronger

Mind you I had to have a bit of a lie down when I'd done. Completely frazzled me. And then I sold it

SPMiller · Oct 28, 2008

I start-to-finish rewrote an entire novel. It was worth it. As far as I can know, not a single sentence survived from the first draft to the third. Sure, it took four months, but the resulting product was far superior.

Be aware that just because a beta (or any other critic) gives you feedback doesn't mean you necessarily have to make the suggested changes. You should only do those things that you feel will improve the story. If you happen to agree with all of them, you're in for a lot of work

JoNightshade · Oct 28, 2008

I removed 50% of my plot, characters, and the entire climax. Replaced it with another POV character, changed my MC's motivation, and... well a lot more. I think I just chucked 40% of the book. But I saved my favorite 60%, which needed less drastic rewrites to fit in with the new plot.

And yes, it was way the frack harder than just writing a completely new book. Why did I do it? Because I love my characters and I WILL NOT GIVE UP ON THEM!

So there.

(And I did this rewrite for an agent, whose response I am anticipating right now. With dread.)

MelodyO · Oct 29, 2008

SPMiller said:
Be aware that just because a beta (or any other critic) gives you feedback doesn't mean you necessarily have to make the suggested changes. You should only do those things that you feel will improve the story. If you happen to agree with all of them, you're in for a lot of work

That's what makes it so difficult. Even she said to get someone else to take a look at it as her opinions are just her opinions, but betas are hard to come by and I don't want to waste my next beta on a first draft that's going to change drastically. I shall proceed with caution. Thanks for your thoughts.

Feathers · Oct 29, 2008

I once spent three months writing a novel, and then another three tearing it apart. It was like a thing of dominoes...once I changed the sucky ending, I had to revise the middle. Once I revised that, I had to change the ending again. Then I had to change the beginning and the middle, then the ending...I don't know how many drafts I went through. But I had to trash it. And it absolutely killed me for about a whole year.

Moral of the story: don't go kamikaze without asking someone's advice. I chopped my novel so bad that I didn't know how to put it together again, and since I was flying solo, I didn't know I was overboard until it was too late.

Also, final thing I learned, is that sometimes a story is only as good as that particular story. I kept trying to make it the best that I could, but I could only get it to a certain point, and then it wasn't getting any better.

Good luck, now that I scared you off 0.o
-Feathers

Danthia · Oct 30, 2008

<hug>

I re-wrote my ending five times. I had to deepen the political aspects of the entire novel. I had to give a secondary character more to do and make her more active.

Revisions are all part of the job

If they feel right to you and you think the changes will make it a better book, do them. If not, don't. Sometimes someone will have a great idea, but it doesn't work for the story you're trying to tell.

Trust your instincts. Don't do anything right away, but let the feedback simmer and see how it might fit into the overall novel. Do some outlines or a rough synopsis to see how it would all work. If you like it, go for it.

Deccydiva · Oct 30, 2008

When I came to edit mine - without any crit at that stage - I ended up splitting every chapter into two, then dropping three altogether. Some scenes moved forwards, some backwards then I had to make sure that where weather was mentioned, it was not snowing in August. When someone said their cat had kittens, they couldn't appear in their new homes for eight weeks. The novel runs over a nine month period.
After tearing my hair out I believe what I now have is much better. However, I still need to check for continuity and pace and other little details but I am putting it on the back burner until after NaNo when I should be able to read it with fresh eyes - and a less confused mind.

You're not alone...

Yay! 1,400th post!

Luray · Oct 30, 2008

BIG hug to you. No good stories from me, haven't even completed my first novel or had my first rejection but I know it's hard. You can do it.

SecretScribe · Nov 14, 2008

I need to make some fairly substantial changes to my ms and I just can't get started. I am stuck on whether I should sit down and do a new outline and then cut and paste what I have into the new format, or should I just start over with a blank page, or should I ... rather get more ice-cream. I am procrastinating because I don't know where to begin or how to do it. I have done a really, really short description of each chapter but now don't really know how to get from there to a proper rewrite. Any suggestions - Please!

:Shrug:

Selcaby · Nov 14, 2008

I'm on at least the fourth major version of my novel. One of the MCs from version one became four characters in versions two and three, then merged to become three characters in version four. The other MC has had two first names and two surnames, the villain has had three first names and two surnames (she was married to another character to begin with, then I decided she wasn't), the number of POVs has gone up as high as seven but has now reduced to two, and there have been at least three separate endings (version one never got to the end). And I'm still not finished. So you are not alone. I really do believe the latest version is the best, though.

Phantasmagoria · Nov 14, 2008

*Hugs* for both MelodyO and SecretScribe. Oh, hell, *hugs* for all writers here who dread the rewrite stage. I feel your pain! Revision/rewriting is the hardest part of the job, at least for me... The only advice I have that might be helpful to others? It may be a good idea to keep writing something else (start a new project, maybe) while you edit and fuss, but if you do that, for the love of all things holy don't get so immersed in your new project that you neglect the revision process on the first! If that happens, you may begin to lose your grip on the story you're editing... making it nigh-impossible to ever actually finish (can you tell this has happened to me more than once?? *weeps*)

Rewrite misery (aka: at least she liked my zombie)

MelodyO

Waiting for love on the web

Namatu

Lost in mental space.

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

geardrops

Good thing I like my day job

Madison

summertime...

Mr Flibble

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

SPMiller

Prodigiously Hanged

JoNightshade

has finally arrived

MelodyO

Waiting for love on the web

Feathers

emerging from the writing cave

Danthia

Deccydiva

Back from the dead

Luray

SecretScribe

Selcaby

Writer of wrongs

Phantasmagoria