My favorite part of writing is revising. Whenever I write my first draft, I'm just in such a hurry to get it down that I don't enjoy it properly. But revising . . . I love revising. I think of it like shaping a rough chunk of sculpture.
When I revise, I add description where it is needed. I hone dialog and prune large chunks of needless passages. I take threads of the plot from deep in the story and weave it back into the beginning. I smooth over those unexpected things, like when my heroine falls for the wrong guy, and make it seem like it was what I planned all along.
During the revision phase, my creativity truly comes out.
Which is your favorite part of writing, drafting or revising?
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Drafting, definitely. I absolutely hate revising.
ReplyDeleteI used to dislike it as well, but it really grew on me with the last two novels. Revising is when I sit back and enjoy being a writer.
ReplyDeleteThe part I love the most is building a story: the world, the characters, that first vision of the story. I'm trying to revise/rebuild a story I wrote back in March, though, and it's about to kill me!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Tia. I read and re-read so often during the drafting phase that I get bored with the work. Revising brings me so much pleasure--I love going back after a few weeks and seeing my work with fresh eyes. It's almost like someone else wrote it!
ReplyDeleteI do my worldbuilding constantly, during the first draft and adding stuff while revising. For Starcaster, I left a lot of worldbuilding for the second draft.
ReplyDeleteLaura, I'm glad you stopped by!
I love revising. I'm halfway through the first draft of The Trouble With Demons, and I'm remembering why I don't like first drafts. Once I get the entire story down, then I can start to play with it, adding, deleting, moving, expanding. All the fun stuff about being a writer.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind first drafts, but I'm just in such a rush to get done when I am drafting. So much to write, so little time! When it is all down, that's when the true plot-threading can begin!
ReplyDeleteHope your 2008 is filled with words, words, words, and much happiness, Tia!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura!
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