tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post3736976116083479646..comments2024-01-05T05:32:54.346-05:00Comments on S.A. Larsen, Award-winning author of middle grade & young adult fiction: Twisted Tuesday: Examining REWRITING, Step 1S.A. Larsenッhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-76870657325863801782011-05-19T13:45:29.629-04:002011-05-19T13:45:29.629-04:00I like breaking things down into scenes, too. Some...I like breaking things down into scenes, too. Sometimes it's so hard to know where to plunge in, and looking at things in smaller bites can make it easier!Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-16164042778247072972011-05-18T12:08:15.401-04:002011-05-18T12:08:15.401-04:00Good for you to keep at it like that, Sheri. It t...Good for you to keep at it like that, Sheri. It takes a lot of stamina and endurance, it ain't easy. I've learned to merge characters too, that too much can prevent our stories from succeeding like we want. With every story, we learn something, so none are wasted. Keep at it!! :)PK HREZOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11650153097981426833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-12001710185416274432011-05-18T06:51:21.102-04:002011-05-18T06:51:21.102-04:00This is great, Sheri. I'm glad it is working f...This is great, Sheri. I'm glad it is working for you. Wow, 5000 words plus hosting a prom dinner, I'm impressed. :)Ciarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15628488753277495111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-91128224912930208362011-05-17T23:48:52.417-04:002011-05-17T23:48:52.417-04:00This is some great advise, Sheri. I pretty much ha...This is some great advise, Sheri. I pretty much had to do the same with my first novel.<br /><br />I give you so much credit for dissecting your novel chapter by chapter. I is hard to let go of characters or scenes we love. I cut a book out of mine. <br /><br />Keep up the good work and keep us posted on your successes. We all need to cheer you on as you get closer to that coveted contract.<br /><br />MichaelMichael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-42465516996266316802011-05-17T22:07:08.600-04:002011-05-17T22:07:08.600-04:00oh, man. ((hugs)) I can only imagine how daunting ...oh, man. ((hugs)) I can only imagine how daunting the idea of a complete rewrite must be. I wrote like four different MSs to avoid rewriting my first novel! LOL!!! <br /><br />I'm very amazed by you. You're an inspiration to me, and you rule~ <3LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-50333491087479487392011-05-17T21:52:48.671-04:002011-05-17T21:52:48.671-04:00I'm working through final edits on book #3 rig...I'm working through final edits on book #3 right now, and then comes the ugly task of rewriting book #2. It's a mess. I think you're spot on when you mentioned writing in scenes. I think your process makes a lot of sense, and I'm sure your book will shine when you're through.Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-26920265683623410552011-05-17T18:57:17.450-04:002011-05-17T18:57:17.450-04:00Sounds like you're making great progress! Good...Sounds like you're making great progress! Good luck, and I hope you're feeling better.Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-2700897153614564852011-05-17T18:30:55.410-04:002011-05-17T18:30:55.410-04:00Awesome stuff, Sheri! Thanks for sharing. I hadn...Awesome stuff, Sheri! Thanks for sharing. I hadn't thought about a shorter route, but it totally makes sense. And congrats on making so much progress.<br /><br />Hope you're feeling better. I know that prom dinner will be a Kodak memory. Have fun!Kittie Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07756250649095903317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-46627521502398222432011-05-17T14:50:31.583-04:002011-05-17T14:50:31.583-04:00Yes that forward motion is so crucial! My problem ...Yes that forward motion is so crucial! My problem is I think I had good forward motion, but my scenes still meandered - like a fast flowing river with big loops in it! So that's the re-write, chopping off some of those loops and bringing important plot elements into the story sooner. So glad to see this is a Part 1 post on re-writing. I'm excited to see what you'll share next as we get through our re-writes together.Margo Berendsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476308235642890474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-46649732202711893212011-05-17T13:12:15.270-04:002011-05-17T13:12:15.270-04:00Great thoughts on revisions. I am revising one as ...Great thoughts on revisions. I am revising one as we speak. And another one that needs major rewrites. All this talk about rewriting/revisions is making me tired. I need a nap and it isn't even noon here!Sharihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05184772057308479564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-87001576140936134722011-05-17T13:00:13.135-04:002011-05-17T13:00:13.135-04:00Wow. Excellent post, Sheri, and AMAZING progress! ...Wow. Excellent post, Sheri, and AMAZING progress! I love what you said about shorter routes for your characters--I never thought of that one. :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-57024664389413329742011-05-17T12:48:53.428-04:002011-05-17T12:48:53.428-04:00Awesome it's working for you! My brain hurt ju...Awesome it's working for you! My brain hurt just reading this.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-91843662482550435192011-05-17T12:42:43.627-04:002011-05-17T12:42:43.627-04:00I've been re-writing and revising at the same ...I've been re-writing and revising at the same time for the last six months. I can only hope and pray that as I become more experienced it won't take this long every single time.Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-31501028161991946822011-05-17T12:30:30.085-04:002011-05-17T12:30:30.085-04:00Call me nuts, but love to re-write. I can focus on...Call me nuts, but love to re-write. I can focus on specific parts, not worry about tying up the thread because I've already done that; I just need to do it better.<br /><br />Congrats on the progress, Sheri. Really wonderfulcleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-67409324079123227242011-05-17T10:22:13.890-04:002011-05-17T10:22:13.890-04:00Rewrites are insanely frustrating, but I often fin...Rewrites are insanely frustrating, but I often find them to be much, much more effective than just revisions. I know of some authors who ALWAYS completely throw away their first draft and do a structured rewrite, once they've gotten the emotional heart of the story in their minds.<br />Best of luck!Faith E. Houghhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03823750019164801104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-4881174602552562412011-05-17T08:42:22.238-04:002011-05-17T08:42:22.238-04:00That's some awesome progress!! 5000 words! Ver...That's some awesome progress!! 5000 words! Very nice. <br /><br />And tackling a scene-by-scene rewrite is daunting - good for you for having the courage to plow ahead. I know you'll be happy that you did!Susan Kaye Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348197999397141067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-12880455892772755242011-05-17T08:02:32.047-04:002011-05-17T08:02:32.047-04:00The very first novel I've written will have to...The very first novel I've written will have to be completely rewritten and this is helping me set up the ideas! <br /><br />Talk about scared though. I have two new plot bunnies and I've decided for once in my life I'm going to outline. I've written about 10K for each story and feel that I've got a great start. Let's see if I can help myself on the revision end by knowing what's going to happen before it does :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667521490706435608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-19051130031530073832011-05-17T06:51:55.770-04:002011-05-17T06:51:55.770-04:00"I'd missed shorter routes the characters..."I'd missed shorter routes the characters could take to achieve the same means."<br /><br />Sheri -- This is a really important one! And it is SO hard to see, especially for me, since I'm a pantsterer in my drafting. The story comes out of my subconscious in the first place, so it's really important to find the places where something convoluted and drawn out can become something more streamlined, simple, and perfect.<br /><br />And there's nothing like that AHA! moment when the answer comes to you! (Right before you feel silly for not having seen it all along.)Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-74241095243696986132011-05-17T06:47:59.323-04:002011-05-17T06:47:59.323-04:00That's great that you've gotten such great...That's great that you've gotten such great feedback and that you're willing to analyze the problems chapter by chapter. Funny, but yours is the third blog post today about revision. You're all psychic.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.com