February optional question - Is there a story or book you've
written you want to/wish you could go back and change?
Funny you should ask. The first book I ever tried to write
was such a disaster I put it away, took a couple of writing classes, and moved
on to other things. When I thought of that first attempt at all it was only to
consider how not being able to write it propelled me forward.
But over a year ago, I found myself at a low point. I had no
interest in starting anything new but wanted to keep writing. Rifling through a
drawer, I discovered a printout of that first muddle. Sorry to say, it was even
worse than I remembered. But the timing was good. Pulling that mess together
would certainly involve a challenge.
Today, what was once a wreck of a novel is now a solid piece of
work I like. The red-ink comments of a trusted reader are sitting beside my
computer. She suggested I rewrite one scene to make the stakes higher, but I'm
happy to say that other than that, her feedback was positive, her changes
few.
Honestly, I thought this book was a lost cause. Even now I’m
surprised I had the nerve to dive into it again. So in answer to this month's
question, I can’t say I “wished” to return to this particular story, but I’m delighted
I proved to myself that I could.
Do you have stories you wished you could go back and change?
8 comments:
That sounds like it was definitely a rewarding exercise. I've been too afraid to go back and revisit my earliest (very messy) attempts. Good for you!
Excellent! My first novel attempt sat in a drawer for years until I pulled it out and rewrote it. Became my first published novel.
It's great you revised your first manuscript. Mine is in a drawer too. I'm hoping to pull it out after I finish my current manuscript.
I can relate to that experience, Lisa. I'm happy for you. Good job!
Well done! Not only did you have the nerve, but you also had the skills. :)
Good for you Liza ... well done on checking it out again - and good that you're back writing ... cheers Hilary
Glad you didn't give up on that early work.
https://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com
That is a great story about your story. I would probably have the same reaction to look at my first novel.
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