I was discussing my novel last night with my husband who tried to convince me that people don’t want to read about dark topics like my YA novel. I threw out counter-examples like “The Road” in my defense.
So, I went to sleep last night debating whether or not I should completely scrap my entire novel and just start over. But God will just not let me let this one go.
So, I awoke with many numerous ideas flitting through my mind and I’m willing to give it one more good edit before it’s laid to rest like the rest of my works, destined to be just a word file on my computer I suppose.
What has happened is that I’ve cut out all the beginning/introduction in order to make the new beginning pop. Well, now I realize I may have cut TOO much and need to re-work it. My task has become: make the first five pages sizzle so I can get someone to actually read my novel completely because I know the rest is good: the plot twists, the ending, the ups and downs of the characters, the arc, etc.
Now I need to add some stuff back in but yet in an interesting way, not necessarily chronological. I may have to increase a character’s flaws (which is numerous as it stands but not prevalent in the beginning) and edit my superfluous writing style once again.
I wish I could say I’m looking forward to this–but I’m not. It’s another necessary evil on the road to publication. I am praying fervently for God’s guidance in this one. I will need it once more.
I enjoy reading your writing process. I am alwa s fascinated by how writers write. I never care about the order a story is told. I often jump to the middle or end of a book to see what goes on. Invariably I am compelled to go back and read the deliecious details that fill in the blank. If a friend or mother —or I — am telling a story, if often gets out of order. The storyteller gets ahead, then has to go back, etc. Its okay!
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