Revision struggles

[janradder]

Just about two weeks ago, I started work on the third draft of Immature Loser Punk. It's been an odd two weeks, at least in terms of the speed at which I've worked and how difficult a lot of the writing has been. The first draft I really just breezed through. I'd sit down and just write. There were a few rough patches where I sat in front of the keyboard and had trouble getting the words out but, for the most part, it was pretty smooth sailing. The second draft was essentially cleaning up the mess of the first draft. It was hard work, at times, but still, like the first draft, I seemed to kind of plow right through. Working on this third draft, that's definitely not the case.

For the past two weeks, I've been stuck on the same forty pages. A lot of the time I just sit and stare at the pages in front of me, pen in hand, not sure what I should write or what tack I should take. Sometimes I feel like I'm trying to dig a stump out of my backyard as I search for the right words. It's been a struggle. At the same time, I feel like this has been a really successful revision, so far, even though I'm only forty pages into it. A lot of the work I've done has been important -- I've been adding pieces to the narrative that are essential to my story but that I'd never included in either of the first two drafts. But it hasn't been easy.

Maybe this is all just normal, though. I've never undertaken writing anything even close to this length before and on top of that, I hadn't done any serious writing in about ten years (or more) so quite a bit of this has been a learning (and relearning) process. I feel like I'm on the right course and that if I keep at it, I'll be happy with the results. But I really hope I finally get things right on this draft because, right now, it's definitely kicking my ass.

Comments

[ccfinlay.livejournal.com]

Speaking as someone who has dug a stump out of the backyard (a double-trunked silver maple three or four feet across, using an ax and a shovel) and who has revised a first novel, the comparison is apt. Just keep digging at it. But if you're stuck in one place, move to another and attack it from there. There's no shortcut to just doing the work, but there's nothing that says you can't skip around a bit, especially when you're getting started.

[fengi.livejournal.com]

Are there any excerpts of Immature Loser Punk anywhere? By the title alone I'm interested.

[janradder.livejournal.com]

That seriously brought a smile to my face that the title interested you enough that you'd want to at least read excerpts. There aren't any published anywhere, though. Right now, there might be a few chapters or sections of chapters that I think are close to finished but everything else is still fairly rough.

[janradder.livejournal.com]

Thanks -- it helps to hear that you felt the same revising your first novel. Right now, it doesn't feel so much like I'm stuck -- more like it's just slow work, and, at least at this point, I don't see a whole else in the book that's going to be much easier.

I've got a stump in my own backyard that I tried digging out a few years ago to no avail. It was a pretty sizable ash at one point and, after a few days, I decided it just wasn't worth the effort to get it out so I just stuck the compost bin over it. Hopefully, I won't feel the same about my book.

[cathschaffstump.livejournal.com]

You know, my current work is also kicking me! I think my problem is that I've written so much so fast recently that all my parts need oiling. Argh.

So, I'm kicking back for a week, and then starting again.

I wish you much luck in your hard-earned (quality) revision.

Cath

[janradder.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I took all of December off except to read through the second draft at the beginning of the month so perhaps some of this is just getting back into the writing habit. Still, none of the writing on this draft has come easy.

[janradder.livejournal.com]

And enjoy your rest! I hope it helps.

[cathschaffstump.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I appreciate the good wishes.

I will NEVER understand writing. Sometimes it doesn't need us except as a channel. Other times, it's like wrestling a bear.

Catherine

[albionidaho.livejournal.com]

Yup -- we just keep pounding at it ;). I can't wait to read it though!

[janradder.livejournal.com]

Thanks!