The truth about revisions

The problem with writing a story is that for the author, the story doesn’t occur on the page. It occurs in the author’s head.  And the story is always good there. I’ve got some awesome scenes in my mind. I do my best to translate those scenes on the page.  When I write a  novel, I always think the writing is good because I’m still seeing the scenes in my mind.  This is why authors always need to take a break from their manuscripts.  The longer, usually the better.  After a couple of months, I reread what I’ve written and I can see all sorts of problems that I then fix.  
And then I think it’s good . . . until I read it the next time.  Apparently the same is true  in drawing because this comic says it all.

13 comments

  1. Dena McMurdie
    October 15, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    Very true! It happens to me all the time. I’m an artist, and I can see how it would happen to an author as well.

  2. Tiana Smith
    October 15, 2012 at 4:19 pm

    Ugh. SOOOOOOO true!

  3. Sara A
    October 15, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    i feel the same way. a few months later and i’m like, people do not talk like that!

  4. Janette Rallison
    October 15, 2012 at 11:20 pm

    Yeah, it sort of makes me afraid to read any of my old books.

  5. E.S. Ivy
    October 16, 2012 at 7:20 am

    Definitely true in art as well as writing.

  6. Janette Rallison
    October 16, 2012 at 10:14 am

    But I guess it’s a good thing because that means we’re getting better. (Hopefully.)

  7. justathought
    October 17, 2012 at 12:56 am

    What is even more frustrating is when the picture you see in your head just lacks the words to explain it!

  8. Danyelle Ferguson
    October 17, 2012 at 6:17 am

    I’m in the revision process right now on a couple of different projects and know exactly what you mean! =)

  9. Janette Rallison
    October 17, 2012 at 9:08 am

    Yeah, I think that’s the most frustrating thing about writing–seeing all the colors, action, and nuances of a scene and then not being able to describe them. Makes me wish I was a director instead of a writer.

    I think it’s the same for all writers. I wonder if singers and dancers feel the same way.

  10. Julie Daines
    October 17, 2012 at 9:10 am

    Sadly, i think this is why we as authors can revise endlessly and never feel like it’s done.

    We read My Fair Godmother in our Book Club last month and everyone LOVED it! I’m giving the set to all my nieces for Christmas!

  11. Donna K. Weaver
    October 17, 2012 at 10:43 am

    So very true, Janette. That’s why it’s so important to get input on others. If we haven’t succeeded in getting enough of what’s in our head down on paper, they (hopefully) will tell us. lol

  12. Janette Rallison
    October 18, 2012 at 9:02 am

    Julie, Thanks! I hope your nieces like them.

    Donna, you’re exactly right. That’s why Beta readers are so important!

  13. 真子單
    October 19, 2012 at 5:29 am

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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