And it's about time. My fourth draft took a lot longer (3 1/2 months) than my third draft (3 weeks), but I made a lot of changes (although the read aloud I intended to finish with turned into a silent speed-read). STAR SWANS AND SARKI went from somewhere around 96,000 words to 89,490 words.
This is the first draft that I've finished with fewer words than I started it with. I'm shedding information that I needed to know to write the story, but has become obvious or otherwise unnecessary. And I'm finding that as I take out the clutter, my story becomes more and more like the original version - the one I fell in love with and tried to capture with my first (messy) draft. I'm not sure why I'm taking such a roundabout way to get there . . . actually, I do. I had to get to know my characters and their backgrounds. Have you ever experienced something similar?
I'm ashamed to admit that I've never actually finished a draft of a novel, but I am a strong proponent of writing more than you need and then cutting the unnecessary things. I don't think you actually lose the feel of the good but superfluous things you cut--that you, the author, know about them is enough that hints of them get scattered throughout your novel, and that makes it more three-dimensional.
ReplyDeleteAlso, CONGRATULATIONS!
Thanks, Q!
ReplyDeleteI didn't finish a draft of a novel until I was 32. I wrote a lot, but it was scattered. I'm still kind of scattered because there are a lot of different kinds of writing that I like.
And thank you so much for your offer to critique!
Congratulations! Did you do a read-aloud for the third draft too? I've found I can't effectively read my story aloud more than once every few months. I end up silently speed-reading too.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! What exciting and happy news for you :)
ReplyDeleteSince I have yet to finish a novel-length revision, I'll lave to wait to tell you how I feel.
Thanks, Adam! I haven't read it aloud all of the way through yet. I keep starting and then running out of time. Next time, I think I'll read it to my kids and mark places that feel awkward or wordy (and places where I lose their attention).
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie! My first revision took even longer, so good luck with yours!
Massive word removal always helps my writings, whether stories or not. I think it's great that you were able to get back to the original feel.
ReplyDeleteKudos!
=)
WOOT, WOOT! So excited for you, Myrna! And I hear you on those read alouds - they can be tricky. It's the last edit I intend to do with Bob.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to find out what happens next for STAR SWANS AND SARKI!
Totally! I sweated through my first few revisions because the story was so loooong, and in the last round I took out words without trying. Because I was honing in on the story it needed to be.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!
Congratulations on finishing the draft! Can't wait to read it. :)
ReplyDeleteMy first draft was more like a fleshy outline so my revision needs a bit of work to round out characters, add details, blah, blah, blah. :D
ReplyDeleteYay!
ReplyDeleteEach story has its own way of wanting to be told...sometimes they take a while to let the writer in on it.
Shelley
Congratulations! I agree that reading aloud is very important. I also think that it should be read off paper rather than the screen...
ReplyDeleteHave a super week, Myrna!
What FANTASTIC news! Congratulations!!
ReplyDelete"I'm finding that as I take out the clutter, my story becomes more and more like the original version"
YES! Exactly. I think that means you've got a great draft on your hands. :) I'm so happy for you!
Anna started as a 50k NaNoWriMo draft, blossomed up to 100k, and was neatly trimmed back to 82k.
Hi! Stopping by from the BBQ! That sounds so official, you inspire me. I have not officially written anything yet. Well, that's a lie. I have two pages for my first inspirational poetry book done. :) Anyway, I look foward to watching your progress and reading your blog. Best, Janelle
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting from the BBQ :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing the fourth draft! I'm on draft two. The task is so daunting. I remember when Natalie Whipple drew that picture for you! Very cool :)
Congratulations on finishing! I'm a little jealous. Yes, I've spent the last ten days or so on two chapters, mostly getting to know a couple characters I didn't know so well.
ReplyDeleteDropping by from the BBQ. Congrats on your WiP work! Nice blog here.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah! Definitely! My first novel went through SEVEN drafts over a period of FOUR years. I'll be damned if I ver have to shelve it. Please, please whoever is watching can you publish my novel? ;o)
ReplyDeleteI'm over from KG's. Nice to meet you! So glad to find another poet in the crowd :o)
I'm here from KarenG's too. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to meet a fellow writer. Congrats on finishing your draft. Cheers!
Cool, Myrna! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteDo you have betas lined up for this draft already? Just curious. I have a couple beta-reads I'm planning to do this month for other writers. I was waiting to finish my rewrite -- and now it's done. So, let me know if you'd like another reader!
Amy
Purrowling in from Downunder on my way home via the BBQ. Purrs on finishing the draft!
ReplyDeletewell done! I'm just going over my seventh ;p I popped over from Karen's BBQ so now following, nice to meet you!
ReplyDeletehttp://damselinadirtydress.blogspot.com
I've written many words to get to know my characters too. It's nice to cut things you know you don't need anymore. But I do save it in my files. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Myrna,
ReplyDeleteI sort of live in my characters' world while I'm writing their story. I know it's weird, but I do. So I feel I know them awfully well.
My Apple reads my story back to me. Between him and my critique group, I slowly add in info I neglected to put in during the first few drafts, My MS rarely exceed 60,000 words, I don't know why. Right now I'm at 40,00 words and mentally I know where I need to go back and explain more and connect the dots.
Congrats on getting that fourth draft finished. Remember to let it rest.
Congrats! If you need another beta reader...
ReplyDelete:o)
I'm finding the same thing with my WIP right now. The plot in the original is more true to the story, but it is the characters that needed to experience the full-circle evolution.
Three cheers for you, Myrn. Now go and celebrate!
Congratulations! That's super exciting :)
ReplyDeleteI've never gotten far enough to experience anything similar, but I did just realize that I need to add another viewpoint to my outline, because I need to tell two characters' stories instead of one. And I took a long, winding route to figure that one out.
Congratulations again!
Never in all my days. But I am so excited for YOU!
ReplyDeleteCOngrats you amazing woman!