Rewriting the novel
I think I'm beginning to understand something about writing a novel: you have to trust it.
Today, at my retreat in the woods, I wrote and wrote and revised. I thought I'd try a new tactic where I used revision notes (I have seven year's worth, thanks to the amazing folk in my writer's group) to revise chapters instead of wracking my brain to figure out some plot points. All went along swimmingly until I hit another wall in the plot. I tried different angles, I wrote some stuff, I thought: How the heck will I ever fix this? I don't even know what's happening! How many times can I write this book and still not know what's going on?!?
And that's when I decided to pack up the laptop and take a break.
I can't banish the moments of fighting, because they're part of the process, but I can step back. And listen. And trust that the book will arrive on time, largely without my help. Okay, a little of my help.
'Til tomorrow.
Today, at my retreat in the woods, I wrote and wrote and revised. I thought I'd try a new tactic where I used revision notes (I have seven year's worth, thanks to the amazing folk in my writer's group) to revise chapters instead of wracking my brain to figure out some plot points. All went along swimmingly until I hit another wall in the plot. I tried different angles, I wrote some stuff, I thought: How the heck will I ever fix this? I don't even know what's happening! How many times can I write this book and still not know what's going on?!?
And that's when I decided to pack up the laptop and take a break.
I can't banish the moments of fighting, because they're part of the process, but I can step back. And listen. And trust that the book will arrive on time, largely without my help. Okay, a little of my help.
'Til tomorrow.