Halfway through the first draft of the second book in my science-fiction series, I realise that a particular plot line just isn't working. It was struggling along like a bicycle rim on a gravel road. The solution?
I was talking to a friend of mine late last year and how I was struggling with book two as a particular plot line didn't flow. After going back and forth over the various aspects of the plot, I made a startling discovery - there was no particular character in that plot line the reader could identify with. Serious mistake on the part of myself as the writer. As I realised this, I felt a heavy weight fall on my shoulders. The only way to correct this, would be one of the words many writers cringe at. Rewrite!
So, printed copy and my favourite felt tip pen in hand, I set out to restructure. As I worked through the thirty-seven-thousand-odd words written thus far, I soon realised that in order to fix the problem plot, I will need to reshuffle some of the main plot as well. The sequence of events need to change, characters need to change. One whole subplot is going to fall by the wayside because it will no longer fit. No, wait. Hold that thought for a moment... (Just had an idea. That sub plot can still be used. With a few changes, such as the time, place and character, I can still use it.)
Now, where were I? Ah, yes. The dreaded rewrite. After finishing editing what I have written thus far, I'm setting about to make those changes. It's a slow progress as I'm also correcting little inconsistencies I noticed while editing. Once they are done, I can set about moving things around. Once that is done, it's back to the printed copy and pen to work through a second round of changes to fix the (now) inconsistencies.
As I'm doing this, I'm also finalising the last few changes for the update to my other website. Once that is done, I can fully concentrate on book two. Watch this space for progress updates!
So, printed copy and my favourite felt tip pen in hand, I set out to restructure. As I worked through the thirty-seven-thousand-odd words written thus far, I soon realised that in order to fix the problem plot, I will need to reshuffle some of the main plot as well. The sequence of events need to change, characters need to change. One whole subplot is going to fall by the wayside because it will no longer fit. No, wait. Hold that thought for a moment... (Just had an idea. That sub plot can still be used. With a few changes, such as the time, place and character, I can still use it.)
Now, where were I? Ah, yes. The dreaded rewrite. After finishing editing what I have written thus far, I'm setting about to make those changes. It's a slow progress as I'm also correcting little inconsistencies I noticed while editing. Once they are done, I can set about moving things around. Once that is done, it's back to the printed copy and pen to work through a second round of changes to fix the (now) inconsistencies.
As I'm doing this, I'm also finalising the last few changes for the update to my other website. Once that is done, I can fully concentrate on book two. Watch this space for progress updates!
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