My last class (photo is of two friends in the class) was on revision. Something the instructor said has stuck with me. He talked about finishing a piece of work and then putting it away for awhile before revising. Of course we've all heard this, but for me, "putting away for awhile" has meant not looking at the work for a couple days. Not long enough, according to the instructor. He said, "The longer your time away from it, the more honest you'll be when you come back to it."
Hmmm...
12 comments:
That's a cool thing. Thanks for sharing.
I suspect by the time I have finished a book, I will be too excited to let it sit for a month or more, but I will definitely try!
I think that instructor could teach me a thing or too. I never put things away for long enough. But I'm getting better.
Oh, true that! I find about a week apart from a manuscript really makes a difference, especially if I read fine books by top-notch writers. Always makes my next revision so much stronger.
JONATHAN: That's been an issue for me, but it won't be this next time...I'm a lettin it sit.
TINA: Some instructors are better than others. This guy was very good. I'm excited about looking at my notes from his lecture. I have got to get to your blog and catch up!
DARBY: I'm going for an even longer sit time with my newest ms...I'm thinking a few weeks. I want to approach revisions with fresh eyes.
...great advice, and so very true!
Glad you're having a memorable time, Anita:)
Thanks for sharing, Anita. That's hard for me, also, but it makes us work on other stories.
ELLIOT: Thanks! Yepper, it was memorable.
JEAN ANN: Yeah, when a writer is letting one work sit, he/she can be busy working on something else.
Thank you Anita. It is so true. And I do revise my posts. I revise my songs!;) But I can't leave my post, literally not even for a minute, I'll write, I'll read, I'll edit, I'll read, I may go out to make a sandwich, I'll bring the sandwich in, preview, read, preview, edit, read. Publish. Edit. Publish.
Stephen King says about 6 to 8 weeks - I can do a month. Good reminder.
This has been difficult for me to do as well. I vowed to myself (actually prior to reading this post) that I was going to finish current book, forget about it, and write next book. Then only after that next book is done, will I go back and revise the first. We'll see how this game plan works.
OCEAN GIRL: I know what you mean! And now (though I'm sure this is not what you intended) I'm picturing you making a sandwich! Yum!
JAN: King is an example I hear a lot, and I did read his book, which I loved. I guess I thought I'd never be able to wait the six (and I still probably won't wait that long, honestly), but the thing about being more honest about your work really struck me.
ANITA: I'll try to hold you to it!
I didn't do that when I first started seriously writing about five years ago. And I subbed to editors too soon.
I do put it away for a while, weeks, but never months. I can't take it!
Post a Comment