Revision Hell
Worse than staring at that blank sheet of paper (or computer screen) and having no idea what to write is Revision Hell. The first draft of my current manuscript is complete. I am now having to work back through and check for abrupt POV changes, make sure the consistency of characters is there and fill in any extra descriptions that may need sprucing up. Along with that, I need to take the time to check sentence structure, grammar, punctuation – ie. The boring stuff.
I know, some people just love the grammar and mechanics of writing. They were the people in class who would diagram sentences just for shits and giggles. I am without a doubt NOT one of those people. There are some grammar and punctuation mistakes that I wouldn’t even know I made if they slapped up side the head and shouted “HEY, DON’T DO THAT!”
For me, the revision process encompasses the mechanics of writing. The part of the writing world that had Sister Agatha (name was changed to protect…well…someone), walking the aisle of desks swacking the ruler or pointer in the palm of her hand. The part of writing that takes all the creativity out of you. It takes the fun out of the imagination.
When I write the first draft, I’m living a real life story. Granted, it’s in my head and some would equate it with hearing voices, but none of them have discussed murdering ex-husbands or ex-bosses. But, I get to know the characters. They will speak to me and from time to time smack me up side the head and yell, “I WOULDN’T DO THAT! CHANGE IT!”
Then of course, there is the other part of revising that is really difficult for some people. It’s taking your own words, identifying what’s wrong with them and finding a new set of words to say the same thing only better. Sounds easy, huh? Well, not when you’re a kick yourself in the ass multiple times for doing something mediocre kind of person. Not when you spent nine years being told you’re writing was nothing special and a waste of time. Then this process is painful, doubt ridden and painstakingly slow.
So, I am now beginning a list of things to keep me on the revision path. A reward of sorts. Something like, get 10 pages done and you can have a cookie. If you get 25 pages done, then that deserves a trip to Maggie Moo’s. Things like that. It’s a search for those external rewards and soothing indulgences that can get me through Revision Hell.
4:03:52 PM 
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