Snippet Sunday

[wayfaringwordhack]

I was going to share a watercolor painting I worked on this week, but I didn't get around to taking a photo.

Instead I will speak of my writing progress. I decided to reread volume one of Witherwilds. I'm happy to say that I was quite into it at the end of the story (maybe from a little before the 2/3 mark),. The downside of that, of course, is I have a lot of work to do on the opening. If the story, which I obviously like and feel is worth writing, did not engage my interest enough to be impossible to put down, it will not engage a uninvested reader.

At this point, I'm trying to decide if I should go back to the beginning and fix book one or charge on with bk 2. I have a scene that I know needs inserting at the start of bk 2, and I could do that now. But I also have a list of things and a stack of cards detailing changes that need to be made in bk 1.  I know even more things will need changing by the time I get to the end of the trilogy, so the practical part of me says to write on and make changes at the end of having draft one. I don't *think* I have anything in the current list of changes that derails the plot, so I *can* keep on writing. I just don't know if I should. *sigh*

Hmmm. This is less of a snippet and more a glimpse into the brain of a troubled writer.

Anyone what to share what they would do if they were in my writing boots? :P

Comments

[frigg.livejournal.com]

I would rewrite bk 1, but I don't always make the wisest writing decisions. :p

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Cyclical writer? *sniggers into hand*

[mindseas.livejournal.com]

I feel the same way about my tetralogy of horseracing apps. Should I fix up my older apps, or pursue exciting ideas in the newest app? The difference, I guess, is that the older apps are published, so users will get a better experience if I update them. You don't have that problem, so if you're sure there are no changes that will matter, you're free to write on! I would. Maybe. On the other hand, I've never believed that one could go back in time and do anything at all and not change the future. Oh well, I guess I'm not much help, am I?

(I spent today fixing up an older app.)

Your Magic 8 ball tag reminds me that I also published a "Magic Oracle" app that answers questions. I asked it "Should Miq write on or revise?" and it said "The first." So there you have it!

[frigg.livejournal.com]

Indeed. :p

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Like frigg, I'm not sure my actual practice is worth emulating.

If I thought the fixes required for book one were not too time consuming--if I knew what I wanted to do and thought I could do it pretty quickly--I might do that. Buut, I would worry about losing forward momentum, and with a really big project, there are chances that by the very end, what you want to do with the beginning is going to change even more. By the end of the third book, you may want an even different-er beginning, if you take my meaning. I think what I'd like to think I'd do is make a note at the beginning part about what my thoughts were now about how to revise it, then *leave* it and plow on ahead.

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

I would ask you two questions:

1. Do you expect to discover more as you work on book 2 that would affect changes to book 1? (And it sounds like you do expect this.)

2. What are your goals as a writer/where are you in your plans of submission?

If you think you'll discover story that will make book 1 stronger, I'd wait.

If you think book 1's story is set and that what you need to do is rewrite/strengthen it, and you'd like to get it submitted, I'd work on it.

Ultimately, you could get change suggestions from editors that could affect the rest of your trilogy, if you submit book 1 before the others are set in stone.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

I wish I knew what to do in this situation. My preference would be to charge on through book 2, on the grounds that maybe I'll find something there that will mean even further changes to book 1, so I might as well get there first before making any changes. Not sure this is actually the best approach though.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I think my preference is your preference. I know that I will have more insights the more I write--this is the wonderful way in which my brain works, so...--and knowing that, it makes more sense to keep going.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I am going to listen to the Magic Oracle! :D So, yes, you are a big help.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I think this time we are not going to be peas. I just know that when I reach the trilogy's end, I'll have stuff I want to tweak in book one. I'd rather not tweak more than I have to.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

With me, there's also a better than even chance that I'll find something later on which will completely invalidate the first part (although I'm not sure this is actually a good thing in terms of getting something finished...)

[frigg.livejournal.com]

Hence me not always making the wisest writing decisions. :p

[clarentine]

This. My vote would be to plow onward and then reassess the entire trilogy once you're done. (Myself, I fear getting stuck in endless revision loops, but then I absolutely hate the revision process and avoid it whenever possible. Needless to say, that colors my answer somewhat. >:-) )

[clarentine]

(And the leaving notes for yourself to work through on revision? I do this too, and it works.)

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Yep, this happens to be me, too. :P

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I do indeed take your meaning and know it is even very likely that the opening will have to be revised yet again.

So, onwards it is. Go, forward momentum, go!

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

LOL. Well, you know how many times I went over and over and over the beginning of the Traveler's Daughter. Definitely got stuck in a loop there, so I'm pretty inclined to say forward it is.

And yeah, revision notes are our friends. :P

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

1. Yes, I certainly do. My brain would not be my brain if I don't. :P

2. Very good question. Since I consider this trilogy as one LONG story and not 3 individual but strongly connected stories, I won't submit or otherwise try to publish anything until the whole trilogy is finished. If I had what has come to be thought of as a "traditional" trilogy, each book having its Big Climax, I would consider finishing one and subbing it for those very editorial suggestions you mention. :)

So, looks like I'm plowing on. Thanks for weighing in.