When hurricane Sandy hit, she felled several large oaks on our property, a major "revision" job, if you want to compare it writing. Luckily, the storm left the house still standing. Subsequently we took down two more immense oaks threatening the the house. Oddly, from within the house it is impossible to see where the missing trees once stood. I know a writer who is valiantly revising a very good story. He calls me when, like the hurricane, he chops whole sections. He has chopped out thickets of writing that don't move the plot along. But the main character and the plot are still standing, and the story is moving forward to what should be an excellent conclusion.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
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Some of the funniest writing was written in un-funny times & places. But yes, where the writer is emotionally always slips in. Theses were written about these connections...
ReplyDeleteGreat metaphor, Linda. Sometimes chopping up your work can be the hardest thing - but what is left is always more important.
ReplyDeleteI imagine what's hardest is deciding what needs to get the axe. Maybe it's easier when a hurricane stars the job for you. :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. should read "when a hurricane starts" . . .
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