"I'm not alone when I'm writing - the language itself, like a kind of trampoline, is there helping me." ~ William Stafford
(Photo from Super Tramp trampolines)
As we are all sometimes painfully aware, writing = revision. Today I thought I'd provide some revision, trouble-shooting symptoms and prescriptions, all taken (and slightly adapted) from Barry Lane's, After The End. (Enjoy his humorous Latin terms - they crack me up!)
1. Delusions of First-Draft Grandeur (Reluctant Revisititus - Latin)
Symptoms: Writer feels no need to revise any of his writing except to spell words correctly. Writer's eyes glaze over when the word revision is mentioned.
Prescription: Know that writing is revision; use leads and details to find new angles; explode moments. Understand that it may not be time to revise yet. Let it sit. Know that it doesn't have to be written over to be revised. Before any revisions are made, praise and enjoy what there is.
2. Dialogue-arhea (Looses-lipsus - Latin)
Symptoms: Writing suffers from an excess of flat dialogue that doesn't move the story along.
Prescription: Replace some dialogue with exposition and add snapshot-quality details to make real scenes.
3. Bouts of Vagueness
Symptom: Writing gets vague in places for no apparent reason.
Prescription: Determine if the vagueness is a result of missing details or an unsure purpose. Vagueness is often a necessary stage for writers who are exploring uncertain territory.
4. Uncut Words (Editophobia / Editomalaise - Latin)
Symptoms: Writer is afraid to edit her own work or is bored with editing.
Prescription: Find ways to make editing both routine and fun.
Other great revision tips from Barry (for yourself or when critiquing the work of others):
- Be more interested in what is NOT on the paper
- Never be afraid to be critical. Know when to be a tough editor and when to be a nurturing reader.
- Remember that too much unqualified praise can be as damaging to a writer as flat rejection.
- Never tell a writer a paper is done. Always point out more suggestions for revision.
What are some revision tips you can add?
"Dialogue-arhea" - that's hilarious! :D :D :D Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha I loved this. So true, I'll add...remember what you love about your favorite books, find those parts in your own book, polish them until they shine. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. We'd like it to be ready from the first spewing words - it never is. We love our words and don't want to slice them up. Bring on the knife! And, is it ever done? No, not until the deadline strikes!
ReplyDeleteDETAILS! (See Bouts of Vagueness)
ReplyDeleteI read manuscripts all the time that say things like, "He was drinking water out of his mug." Nothing inherently wrong with that, but how much more interesting is "He was slurping tepid water out of his Garfield mug, the one that said 'Hang in There' in fat purple letters."
Dialogue-arhea! Haha, that's awesome--I love it!!
ReplyDeleteHeehee. Latin is funny :)
ReplyDeleteK.M. - That's one of my favorites, too!
ReplyDeleteBethany - Good addition, Bethany. :)
Mary - Ah, the knife...so painful sometimes. :)
Lindsey - Yes!! Great example.
Angela - LOL! I like Looses-lipsis too. :-)
I love the trampoline quote. So cool! This whole post is neat. So is there a part II? How to make revising fun!
ReplyDeleteNisa - I'll see what I can come up with - good idea. :)
ReplyDeleteYour analogies are SO good!
ReplyDeleteI love Bethany's tip, too!
Ha! Now that's a funny list. The sad part is that it's all so true. : )
ReplyDeleteI like the tip about being more interested in what is NOT in the paper, but I am struggling with the last one.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, a paper (or manuscript) is done. I think over-revision can be just as bad as under-revision.
That is when you have to trust your inner author to know when it feels done.
(But I think only the author can decide this.)
Good post!
Shelley
I love those! They're awesome :) Great post! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI like that bit about looking at the thing that's NOT on the page. There's a lot to that suggestion! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHaha! These manage to be both hilarious and helpful :D Thanks for posting them!
ReplyDeleteThese are so good. I have bouts of vagueness.
ReplyDeleteYou always find the best quotes and tips!
Winged Writer
Awesome - I love the list!
ReplyDeleteJennie - Thanks for smiling at me again today, Jennie! :-)
ReplyDeleteKimberly - I liked Bethany's tip too.
Shelley - I agree, especially with shorter books like those we write. I paused a moment over that one, too, but 99% of the time there are improvements we could make.
Jenn - I'm glad you liked them!
Meredith - Isn't that a great tip? :)
Choco - I agree. Useful is always a little better when there's humor involved. :)
Catherine - Thanks, Catherine!
Jemi - oops! You snuck in there. :-) I'm glad you enjoy the tips. Barry Lane is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'm still dizzy from the trampoline. :) What a ride, this writing life is, huh?
ReplyDeleteAh, great tips! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteToo much unqualified praise. Are you sure? I mean, who says it's unqualified. Maybe unqualified isn't so unwelcome. Not by me anyway. I'll take it. Gladly.
ReplyDeleteBut that 2&4. Those, I have to get back to you on. I believe I could use some work there.
Great post! Too funny!!
What a great post!
ReplyDeleteAlthough, there is also something to be said against overediting. :(
all funny, but TRUE!!
ReplyDeleteI'd also add "let some time pass."
The more time goes by, the less perfect the book looks, and it's easier to see what needs to be done.
Right after you write it, it's still a bit shiny. :)
Funny!
ReplyDelete(and especially timely after months of revisions of my wip!)
Great tips! I have suffered with all of these afflictions on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteMy tips? Same as usual. Write once, put it away for a few days, revise twice, put away for a day, revise again, send to your critique group. That's it.
ReplyDeleteOh, and if you don't have a critique group? Get one. They'll light the revision fire under you if nothing else will.