I have now finished a major re-write of TRF - it isn't as different as you might guess, even though I deleted 17,000 words, I seem to have added about 13,000 words. It has taken quite a long time - and I am going to read it properly and then send it off....
Every time I do a re-write I feel that the newer sections are raw, not quite so well-written - but in this case I don't feel like that. By the end I was writing pretty fluidly - it seemed to be arriving as requested, and I was able to kill assorted darlings. I wish I had the feeling of tranquillity that I feel I "deserve" after the efforts of the last few weeks. Actually, it's been a month, I think I started re-writing around about 10th February. I have written nearly every weekday - not much at weekends. As I write this I am beginning to feel a little bit excited again - I think it is better, but I am also disappointed that since JM's intervention what I have is a much more conventional romantic novel really - with a few more twists and turns in the plot. I still like the early version in some ways. But I really need to move on. I am not sure how much more time and energy I can spend on this. I need to start working on Vol 1 (after a few days off to do tax etc.etc.). I feel that I have a stronger idea of what it needs now.
So what has happened to TRF? Well - Lucy got a bit tough - but finally is won around - and Leo has an epiphany (as suggested by Tara) and thus is able to see his life and relationship with her in a new perspective and they unite in a positive manner, according to the best romantic feminist principles.
I fear a few babies may have got lost in the bathwater, and I will be just checking through the "dead darlings" document and seeing whether I have accidentally decapitated any really worthwhile trains of thought that I wanted to pursue. It's not impossible - everything it seems - in the new version - has been scrutinised for its contribution to the "story" - well everything in the second half. I fear there will be more changes and stuff... oh dear.
Every time I do a re-write I feel that the newer sections are raw, not quite so well-written - but in this case I don't feel like that. By the end I was writing pretty fluidly - it seemed to be arriving as requested, and I was able to kill assorted darlings. I wish I had the feeling of tranquillity that I feel I "deserve" after the efforts of the last few weeks. Actually, it's been a month, I think I started re-writing around about 10th February. I have written nearly every weekday - not much at weekends. As I write this I am beginning to feel a little bit excited again - I think it is better, but I am also disappointed that since JM's intervention what I have is a much more conventional romantic novel really - with a few more twists and turns in the plot. I still like the early version in some ways. But I really need to move on. I am not sure how much more time and energy I can spend on this. I need to start working on Vol 1 (after a few days off to do tax etc.etc.). I feel that I have a stronger idea of what it needs now.
So what has happened to TRF? Well - Lucy got a bit tough - but finally is won around - and Leo has an epiphany (as suggested by Tara) and thus is able to see his life and relationship with her in a new perspective and they unite in a positive manner, according to the best romantic feminist principles.
I fear a few babies may have got lost in the bathwater, and I will be just checking through the "dead darlings" document and seeing whether I have accidentally decapitated any really worthwhile trains of thought that I wanted to pursue. It's not impossible - everything it seems - in the new version - has been scrutinised for its contribution to the "story" - well everything in the second half. I fear there will be more changes and stuff... oh dear.
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