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19/6/2014 6 Comments

Writers' Retreat - after

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I love writers' retreats. It was such a productive time.

In two days (Friday night to Sunday lunch) I edited an entire novel (Just the Way You Are), jotted down notes for three new stories, plotted another new novel and thought about--never underestimate the importance of thinking--what I was going to do to fix a half-finished novel.

Since then, I've done another read-through of Just the Way You Are and picked up 128 things to change. They're minor, though, so won't take long. The novel is actually hanging together well. I was surprised there weren't more things for me to change in this round because the last edits were major. I took out one character's point of view completely, combined two other characters into one character, and removed one plot line completely. I didn't think I'd rewritten the bits around those things cohesively enough to withstand another major edit, but I did. *feeling good*

I worked on the synopsis for that story tonight. I've changed it a lot--it needed it because the plot had changed--and I think I've ruined it, but I'm not sure. I'll leave it sit tonight and have another look at it tomorrow night after I finish making the rest of the small changes to the story. I'm up to 68/128. 

I love working on a project when it's so close to being ready to send out. It's the same kind of feeling I get when I begin a new story and everything is the exploration of the unknown. 

I have two weeks' holiday coming up and plan to spend most of it editing a SF story I've been editing for a while. It's been sitting for a few months so I'll need to read it again to see exactly where I'm up to with it. There was a lot of passive writing in it that's taken a number of passes to remove. It's another story that suffered major plot changes after I'd written the whole thing. Primarily, that was because a couple of plot elements clashed with the way the protagonist's character developed. It was clunky and unbelievable. It works better now; I just need to strengthen the main character's motivation at the beginning so the conflict in the middle is clear. I can't wait to get back to it.

Okay, I've spent enough time talking about writing. Time to go back and DO the writing. *love my job*

6 Comments
Fiona Greene
18/6/2014 09:15:07 pm

I am so jealous - another two weeks of holidays to work on all of those ideas. I don't have any time off until October and I can't wait to spend some whole days writing. Until then its bits and pieces. Good luck with your submissions.

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E E Montgomery link
18/6/2014 10:28:54 pm

Thanks Fiona. I know it's only been a few weeks since I was last on holiday but it seems longer. I'm really looking forward to the break and being able to spend some significant time writing. October is a long time to wait for a break but at least bits and pieces still keep you moving forward. Good luck with your writing.

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Danielle Birch link
19/6/2014 09:53:08 am

I very much wish I had some more annual leave coming up. The words and characters and plots are mounting in my head and there is only so much time in the day to get them down. But it is better to have the ideas and struggle for time than to have no ideas at all.

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E E Montgomery link
29/6/2014 02:37:35 pm

It is much better to be overflowing with ideas. I've had a few times when my mind has been totally blank and it's scary. Luckily the writers' retreat cured that.

You know how I HATE to brag ;) but I'm on holiday again now. I've had three days rest and family-oriented activities. Tomorrow after I do a few things for my day job, I'm getting stuck into the writing.

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Rebecca A Emrich link
29/6/2014 10:47:53 am

This blog post makes me want to go on a writing retreat myself. I've always thought I should do this, but never gave myself the chance. I can see how much this would help me with my own writing. Thanks.

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E E Montgomery link
29/6/2014 02:39:29 pm

Rebecca, if you get the opportunity and can afford the time and cost, do it. There is no bad writers' retreat--even the ones that are full of workshops with little writing time. I always learn something and come away relaxed and with a notebook full of ideas and hints. Good luck with it.

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