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Monday, August 01, 2005Trust Me -- This Is HugeOf course, you may not think so; especially if you're not a writer. But to me, this is definitely huge. You see, I've written a new opening paragraph for my novel. "Ridiculous," you say. "That's not even remotely 'huge.'" Ah, but it is. Ever since having written the opening sentence (almost seventeen months ago, but who's counting?), I have loved it. Prided myself in it, as it were. Read it out loud to myself as though it were some sort of holy passage. Seriously. I had an emotional attachment to it. So I can't help but think that, by having rewritten my opening paragraph, I have reached some sort of "author growth level." Let's face it -- writers who are unwilling to hack apart their beloved creations aren't going to go anywhere fast. The entire editing process has been a journey of intense growth for me. But this first paragraph thing -- this "beautiful entry to my world" -- I never dreamed of touching it. Which means I was wearing blinders, because it occurred to me that I had to change it. It wasn't even an option. And I love my new opening. It's -- well, it's better than the original one. Naturally I handed it to Eric, and held my breath while he read. (I simultaneously fear and crave his opinions.) "I like it already," he said, he eyes still moving over the page. "Really?" (If that sounded insecure, you're absolutely right.) The real test was handing it to eleven-year-old Maggie, who is by far my biggest fan. I explained what I had done and told her that I needed her opinion because she is a "book snot." (She smiled when I said that -- she takes pride in being a book snot.) Maggie read quietly, then said, "I like it. It really draws you into the story." Does she sound like a thirty-year-old book editor or what? So, I'm sitting here feeling like I've just done some gigantic piece of work, when all I've really done is written a new beginning and tightened up the first five pages. It's the small victories that add fuel to a waning creative fire. I feel supremely ready to dig into my second novel today, which has stalled in the middle of chapter 4. Of course, I'll have to do all sorts of boring things first, like dusting and vacuuming. I might even feed my children lunch. I love my life -- I really do! |
About Me
I am: Mother to five stunningly individualistic children... Writer of young adult fantasy... Passionate advocate for Women At Home... Madly in love with my husband... In need of Organic Gourmet Chocolate on a regular basis. I've got a Paypal account if you'd like to contribute to the cause....
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9of my readers are feeling chatty:
Oh congratulations!!! Yes, yes, I know all too well what it's like to let go of an element that you've fallen in love with but that's holding the overall creation back ... ooh, now, when that baby comes out you must share what your original opening line was.. so we can marvel all the more. ;)
Once again...Tom and I are left waiting to read it;o) You really should have more confidence in your writing...you are so very gifted!
You go girl!
WOOOHOOO! I do have to agree with Jamie! you need to have more confidence in your writing ability. You know deep down in side you can climb this hill that you look at as a mountain! because deep down you know its what you where meant to do, therefore its not really a mountain.
hmmm did any of that make sense ??? see your the writer in this family LOL i'm the photographer LOL ;-)
Our hobbit family, right? LOL
You're awesome, Gertie. I do have confidence in my writing ability; I feel like I was born to do this. What gets in the way is my tendency toward perfectionism, a fear of rejection, and...and...and... your everyday, typical neurosis. :D
Thank you for ALWAYS supporting me, girlfriend. Your words made perfect sense, even if you ARE a photographer (a darn good one).
Our Hobbit family and our Mommy family! :-)
I to appreciate your support of me!
Bravo.
Perhaps it would be better not to be a writer, but if you must, then write. If all feels hopeless, if that famous 'inspiration' will not come, write. If you are a genius, you'll make your own rules, but if not - and the odds are against it - go to your desk no matter what your mood, face the icy challenge of the paper - write.
~J. B. Priestly~
Hi there,
I know the first paragraph angst...I actually have first chapter issues and it is never until I've rewritten many times that I find something that works for me. Even with input from other trusted authors, I struggle with getting the action going from the first paragraph. I love that incredible breakthrough feeling. There's nothing like it.
Kathie
Hey, here one from the archives. Bet you'd never get a comment on this one again! :)
I did a similar thing in BWaSOG while writing chapter 10. (Did Jonathan read it yet?)
There was stuff in there that had been there for a very long time that I never cared for. I finally took a page from "Secret Window" and while repeating the mantra "No bad writing" deleted the whole bit.
Then I wrote a new section to replace it that is infinitely better. Not going to miss the original.
It is interesting that there are spots in your writing that you just love, much like your former opening paragraph. By the end of the editing process, those little spots are usually removed, and the story is all the better for it.
You will note in an upcoming revision of BWaSOG, that the April 33rd bit will be missing.
It's an interesting thing we do.
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