A popular term writers use is "married" when it comes to our writing.
"Are you married to this part? I think the story would be better without it."
"I'm not married to the ending. I know it's weak."
This year I've been working on a NaNoWriMo from 2012. In fact, I was a 2013 NaNo rebel. And now that November is officially done, but my manuscript is not, I'm still working.
My story is about writers. A group of rowdy women writers. And until about six months ago, there was no thread to make non-writers care. Really, there was no connecting thread, nothing really weaving the story together. But then I found one, and started adding pieces here and there as I revised while I also wrote.
Something was still missing, however. My "thread" was coming in too late--I thought. The major story layer needed to make an entrance earlier, in my opinion.
The problem? I had a beginning that I considered snappy--and engaging. Even though my tale is part humor and part darkness, I almost always lead with the self-denigrating foot. I use lightness to compensate when sadder times threaten to slay me.
Yesterday, I finally divorced the snappy beginning. Actually, I didn't get rid of it, but I did write a new first part...And I kind of like it.
Now, I'm still not finished. I haven't gotten to the ending yet. But I'm closer to the end. And, it's a more cohesive story than it was two days ago.
What part of what story was the most difficult for you to divorce? What part did others tell you need to get a divorce from, but you stayed with? Writerly minds want to know...
Sounds like you are really getting somewhere! I am glad you are continuing to work...I although I would think as November ended, you would have crashed for a while!
ReplyDeleteClaudia--I crashed already...didn't make the 50,000 words, so I have to keep the little trickle of momentum going...
DeleteOthers aren't invited to my poems until they're finished. I work high in a tower, with a moat, and no phone. Bolthouse is flown in by helicopter drop. It's all very mysterious! ;-)
ReplyDeleteShay--Bolthouse...Probably every hour on the hour, right. That's the secret...
DeleteThe dead hookers. A wise woman advised me to divorce them. It was right at the time. But now I yearn for a reconciliation.
ReplyDeleteVal--Hook up with the hookers again. You might end up liking them.
DeleteHFFF am I included in this NaNo project? Yeah, I've scrapped an entire opening, came back to it a while later and revised and liked it much better. A little distance helps.
ReplyDeleteLinda--You are indeed. But your name has been changed to protect the guilty.
DeleteWell put as usual. Though I don't technically divorce my writing because I like it way more than I liked my actual husband. I like Fireblossom's metaphor. I banish parts to a tower so I can take them out again later when the time is right.
ReplyDeleteTammy--Fireblossom always says it with flair...And you don't often have parts that need banishing.
DeleteI've actually never heard the "married/divorced" thing with regard to writing, but it sure fits. And it is somewhat less brutal than William Faulkner's decree that "In writing, you must kill all your darlings." Better to divorce them and revisit them later rather than bury them forever. Although my husband is certain that a divorce is like milk going bad---no one opens the fridge, sniffs inside the carton and says, "Maybe this will smell better tomorrow." :)
ReplyDeleteLisa--I don't think I made it up, but perhaps that phrase only exists in my head.
DeleteYeah, you can divorce the stinky parts, then poke them with a stick to torture them...
Okay I know about divorce......haaaaaaaa. You did the NaNo thing the better way. I finished, but now I have more "stuff" to deal with and am no closer than when I started.
ReplyDeleteLynn-I think my one pile of poop is suckier than your 3 (or 4?) NaNos. Should we have a competition?
DeleteAs they say, sometimes we must kill our darlings. So call it divorce or call it murder, it sort of feels the same.
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
Pat-You are right. It's the same thing. Sometimes it's easy to do, and sometimes we hang onto those parts/characters that really stink, thinking they're okay.
ReplyDeleteHi Sioux; I enjoy the updates on your story and how you go about making the changes that please you. It gives me insight.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kathy M.
Kathy--Thanks. I'm glad that my screw-ups help others. ;)
DeleteIn my YA novel that will be out from Rocking Horse Publishing in 2014, I had a talk show--The Mona Show--that took up a huge chunk of the beginning. I wanted to be able to go to the Oprah Show when it was still on for research! :) One of my critique group members told me to get rid of it--it was confusing everything, and she was right. Oh, that was a hard divorce. But I did it.
ReplyDeleteMargo--It IS hard when you become so enamored with a part--and it might be the perfect thing for another project--but it doesn't work in what you're working on currently.
ReplyDeleteResearch...Yes, I am going to put a chocolate fountain in my story, which will necessitate my husband installing one in our house for "research."
You're brilliant, Margo. ;) Thanks for the idea...