Revision

Revision is a word that makes every writer cringe. All the new writers tend to think their writing is pure gold, perfect for publishing, but I think the real power in being a writer comes from the humility that comes with revision and drafting.

My main novel has had at least half a dozen different drafts, mostly because as I've matured as a person I've also matured as a writer. Through these consecutive drafts I've gone through different ideas pertaining to landscape, how the different countries are, where the characters are in their lives, their pasts, even their personalities. I've changed one character from being a fugitive in control of her magic to trying to escape an oppressive mother with no idea how powerful she is. Another character went from being unsure and unhappy to knowledgable and overconfident. It's fascinating to me how these things progress, and I feel like I'm close with my characters. They're real people to me.

But even with this draft, the one that I like the best, the one that has legitimate characters with pasts and places they've been and things they know and have yet to learn, I still am not happy with it. I took a creative writing class this last semester and I've learned so much! And now, despite what I have and how much I like the direction I'm going, I can more fully see the inconsistencies and problems in the plot where the energy dies or a certain scene doesn't have a point, etc. This problem can only lead to one thing:

Revision.

And anyone who succuumbs to revision knows it's a painful process. You have to go back, delete words, sentences, paragraphs- sometimes pages at a time. Pages that you spent hours working on. Pages that are part of your creation, your child, your soul... But it has to be done. And it's a never-ending process.

My husband and I like to read each other's works and critique them. Most recently I read the beginning of one of his stories, and when he gave me the revised beginning I critiqued it again, just as much as the first.

The problem with me and revision right now is that I haven't had the opportunity to see the finished work after many revisions. I'm still new enough to be stuck in the revision process. It's rough.

Rough... but necessary. Just remember- you're not a perfect writer. Sucuumb to revision!