Saturday, August 15, 2009

Backtracking

There comes a point in every novel (or maybe not), where the writer realizes something has gone wrong.  The plot has gone off the beaten track.  You are forced to do the dreaded thing. You are forced to cut stuff.  

Why?  Why is this happening to me? you ask.  And you stare at all those words that you wrote; highlight them.  You hit it the delete button.  The page is as empty as your heart.

Okay, really, it's not all that dramatic.  But I think the reason I may be not-so-interested in my manuscript right now is because around 3,000-4,000 words ago, I took a wrong turn in the plot.  The last chapter, chapter and a half, feel blah to me.  Everything before that point, I am pretty happy with.  I could show it to people without any shame.  But this latest part feels...contrived.  So I think I must go back, cut it, and try again.  This is unfortunate, as obviously, I won't be hitting my deadline.  Still, it is better to realize the error sooner rather than later.  It would be wrong to press on blindly.  I must have the heart to delete, and delete liberally.

I must thank Lady Glamis for reminding me to map out the ending, for it may have saved that very thing.  It's time to go back to the drawing board and figure out something suitable for the novel's conclusion.  This is a delicate period!  I won't rush it.

I finished the drama, and the ending ticked me off and made me realize my ending may well tick other people off if I don't do it right.  See?  Everything relates back to writing.

Also, Weronika gave me this wonderful award, but it will have to wait until the next post, when I can list who I will pass it on to.  And think of seven facts about myself.

4 comments:

  1. Now that I think about it, I've never done much cutting--I've always taken everything that I've written and kept it all, but rewritten what didn't seem to work (which was probably a mistake). I have to consider many of those factors when I finally get to the revision stage.

    You seem to be doing alright! :) Great insight.

    As for Glam, she knows everything. It's a bit overwhelming. :D

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  2. Your story will be better for the cutting :) Last night I had to cut a scene because it no longer made sense with the new material. I've got to the stage where I didn't care that I had to delete the precious words. I just added new ones :D

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  3. Congrats on the award. I am so in this particular situation, with a WiP that needs some direction due to lost plot. Lady Glamis also inspired me to form some new habits as well with regards to mapping. Good luck to you.

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  4. Mapping doesn't prevent all problems, and can create some problems of its own, but I sure do hope my posts helped you some!

    I've cut stuff so often and so much that I'm numb to it all. I think the more practice you get the better and easier it becomes.

    Weronika, I know far from everything, but thanks for the ego boost! Now only if I could get published...

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