We Write and We Rewrite
I think I’ve found another description for the Terrible Two’s…that term would define the combined labors of editing and rewriting.
At first, I think I actually enjoyed the rewriting portion of writing.
As I made the first draft changes, I was in fact reading through the story again and in doing so, I was also editing…again. Not only am I making changes based on the first edit, I am also making additional changes I feel are necessary while I read over the story again as I rewrite.
Some might wonder why I would start a second book before finishing the first. That’s okay; you can wonder, worry or choose to believe I’m being hasty. I just have certain goals and I’m trying to stick to a plan.
Here is what multi-tasking looks like:
I have always been good at multi-tasking so I don’t really doubt myself in that regard. It’s just that one story can so overwhelm your thought process, along with all the other little details and chores of everyday life; it will soon be determined whether I can skillfully rewrite one book while also writing a new one. However, spending time on my second novel is a nice break when I tire of rewriting the first and I like the option of moving back and forth between the two tasks.
“Books aren’t written, they’re rewritten…” Michael Crichton
“The beautiful part of writing is that you don’t have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon…” Robert Cormier
Garbage is a strong term and one I personally would never use to describe my work, but you get the gist. It is the editing and the rewriting which both ultimately deliver a superb story.