This experiment came about because I had to radically rewrite The Echo section of Recovery Triptych.
I got to thinking during the rewrite, and about the rewrite at hand, but about how many times I’ll write a complete story (and sometimes almost finish a novel) and realize the story’s lacking something.
Usually I’m not sure what it’s lacking, and so the adventure begins.
What I realized during this most recent MindWalk was I didn’t or wasn’t writing the story which wanted to be written.
I can hear Plotters now. “aHA! A Pantzer!”
Not so. Some of my most tensely plotted stories are off the mark. Sometimes the real story is obvious to me, but only after I’ve gotten the lacking version out. Other times I have to close my eyes, sit back, take deep breaths, climb Mount Horeb, bring back the diamonds embedded in Saturn’s rings, you get the idea, and when I do I see (or at least start to see) what the real story is.
Sometimes the protagonist isn’t the best protagonist. Sometimes the POV doesn’t serve the story well. Sometimes the throughline collapses and I didn’t realize it.
Whatever the reason, whatever the cause, give myself some time and the real story emerges. Sometimes I can use pieces and parts of what I’ve written, sometimes I can’t use what’s written but I can use the characters and settings, sometimes plot points change location or are added or removed.
All of which often requires a radical rewrite of what I had before.
Go for it. Yes, it’s work. At least it is for me.
Yes, it’s worth it. At least for the story and me.
Enjoy!
Stories/Novels mentioned here:
Think I’m onto something? Take a class with me, schedule a critique of your work, or buy me a coffee.
Think I’m an idiot? Let me know in a comment.
Either way, we’ll both learn something.
Get copies of my books because it’s a nice thing to do, you care, you can follow along, and I need the money. My latest is my fiction anthology Tales Told ‘Round Celestial Campfires Volume 2
FWIW, I hold a Creators RoundTable the last Thursday of every month from 7:30-8:30pmET. Watch past RoundTables. Register to participate.
Wilderness House Literary Review EIC Steve Glines and I (Senior Fiction Editor) hold monthly open chats with authors interested in a) writing for us, b) improving their craft in general, and/or c) increasing their chances of being accepted by other markets.
Meetings are held via Zoom on the last Friday of each month from 9-10amET.
So, want to know how to write for us? Want to know what gets our attention? Want to know how to write better for whatever market you’re interested in? Join us for our next “Meet the Editors” Zoom session. Seats limited! Sign up and talk with us. We’re relatively easy going and fun to be with.
Last item, finding these experiments useful? Strengthen my ego and link/friend/follow me.
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