Sometimes I seem to disappear from my blog. I don't mean to, but I get so involved in my writing that I forget I have a blog.
I have been revising this month - mainly my picture books.
Amazing Miss Gracie, my manuscript about a pretty scarecrow, has gone through a huge facelift!
This was my first picture book manuscript. It has went through numerous title changes and edits. I love this manuscript, so I kept overlooking its big problem.
Well - no more! I won a critique from a professional picture book writer. She loved the story, but her comments about the ending made me finally realize what I knew all along, but didn't want to admit. I needed to take the plunge and make some major changes.
I took the 'new version' to my writing group yesterday and they liked the changes. Now, it goes back to the lady who critiqued it. Keeping my fingers crossed that she doesn't think I made it worse.
But, I think it is better now - the main character solves the problem. Oh, I also changed her name back to her original name she had in the very first draft - Maizie.
Now - I've found another one of my forgotten picture book manuscripts that needs work. Currently, I am changing the POV of the story to see if that makes it better.
Is writing easy? No!
Is writing fun? Yes!
Especially when you see your story grow and develop.
You can spend hours picking out just the right word. Do crows huddle, rest or roost?
You can spend hours thinking of the perfect title or name.
You can spend hours deciding on the best POV.
But, most of all you need to pick the best story.- the story everyone is waiting to read!
*******************
I love revising. And it's always possible that you can figure out years later what to do with an old ms. We are always learning!
ReplyDeleteSome people use their first stories sort of for practice and go on to writing others. I like my stories and keep working on them until I get them right :o)
DeleteI have much revising to do. I'm glad I'm not the only person who finds forgotten manuscripts. One of my critique partners mentioned a PB manuscript I'd kind of forgotten about and asked me what was going on with it. Well, nothing. She said she thought it was ready to go, so I'm going to polish it up and send it out. Good luck with your revisions.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Rosi, and good luck with it.
Delete