Hello friends,
The end of another weekend is upon us, although as a retiree, I can't say it makes much difference to me. (Sorry, couldn't help adding that!)
Today, I spent a couple hours working on my current novel, "A Kindness Returned." This is my fifth romantic suspense and I must say, the most frustrating so far.
As an author, my mind is constantly conjuring up stories, twists and turns in plots, finding new ways to hurt someone, deciding how to kill off a character... After a bit, the story usually settles
comfortably in my mind, allowing me the peace I need to write, to become immersed in the characters and their lives.
Unfortunately, with this current story, I can't seem to reach that point where I'm happy with where the story is headed. As a consequence, I am constantly changing things up. For example, last week, I killed off one of the characters. Yesterday, I brought her back to life, deciding she could still be useful to me. The problem with that is every time I change my mind, it necessitates rewriting a good deal of the story.
Let me tell you, rewrites suck! I'm not talking rewriting a page or two here. This is the second time in this particular novel where my rewrites span more than fifty pages! The hardest thing for me is highlighting page after page, then hitting backspace on my keyboard. Just about makes me cry.
Of course, once I reach my happy place in the story which, I hope, will be very soon in this case, then it all becomes worth it. I have about thirty pages left to rewrite on this particular switch-up, so let's hope my characters find peace soon, so that I can finally move on! They need to leave me be!
Here's wishing you a great week! Here's hoping you enjoy your week! Happy start to a new week! (Just kidding!)
Lise
The end of another weekend is upon us, although as a retiree, I can't say it makes much difference to me. (Sorry, couldn't help adding that!)
Today, I spent a couple hours working on my current novel, "A Kindness Returned." This is my fifth romantic suspense and I must say, the most frustrating so far.
As an author, my mind is constantly conjuring up stories, twists and turns in plots, finding new ways to hurt someone, deciding how to kill off a character... After a bit, the story usually settles
comfortably in my mind, allowing me the peace I need to write, to become immersed in the characters and their lives.
Unfortunately, with this current story, I can't seem to reach that point where I'm happy with where the story is headed. As a consequence, I am constantly changing things up. For example, last week, I killed off one of the characters. Yesterday, I brought her back to life, deciding she could still be useful to me. The problem with that is every time I change my mind, it necessitates rewriting a good deal of the story.
Let me tell you, rewrites suck! I'm not talking rewriting a page or two here. This is the second time in this particular novel where my rewrites span more than fifty pages! The hardest thing for me is highlighting page after page, then hitting backspace on my keyboard. Just about makes me cry.
Of course, once I reach my happy place in the story which, I hope, will be very soon in this case, then it all becomes worth it. I have about thirty pages left to rewrite on this particular switch-up, so let's hope my characters find peace soon, so that I can finally move on! They need to leave me be!
Lise
No comments:
Post a Comment