On Rewrites

I have decided that rewriting a novel is like meeting old friends for the first time in years. I’m re-learning them, rediscovering what I love about them, and unearthing those things that have changed.

It certainly makes the writing easier when I’m not still trying to figure out how they each act, react, and interact.

Who knew a rewrite could be fun?

It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, yet dreaded at the same time. I know how long a rough draft takes me, and how much work I still have to do at the end. Why would I want to put myself through that more often than I had to? Especially with so many other stories to get to, I just never allowed myself the time.

But now I’m doing it. I’ve invested too much in this story. I love it too much not to.

I originally started writing it more than five years ago. My knowledge of the craft and of basic story structure has grown exponentially since then. Now, I’m better able to make it the story it was always trying to be.

On the other hand, a rewrite is not a rough draft. Not unless I want to spend another three years on this same novel. For efficiency’s sake, I don’t have the luxury of thinking that I’ll fix all the problems later. I no longer have the excuse of not knowing the world, characters, or plot.

It’s strange having a blazed trail to follow. In many ways easier — the words seem to flow across the page, though because I’m still in the early stages, I have no way to tell if this trend will continue for another twenty chapters.

For now, this rewrite — the whole process of rewriting — is new, and exciting, and fun. I’ll let you know if I still find it all that by the end.

Wish me luck!

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