When I pick up a story again after a bit of time has passed, I always have to edit. I see things I missed before, I realize that a particular thread isn't working or that maybe character x should behave a different way about character y. It's just a given. I'm always going to find things wrong. That's why I have to re-read with a eye to the fact that the story will never be perfect. It's just not possible.
However, there comes a time when I realize that a great (in my opinion) portion of the story just doesn't work, and I have to cut it out. But, then I reason, maybe I can put it somewhere else. Sometimes that works. I have a particular cut in mind right now, and I'm hoping that I can rearrange it in the text and put it somewhere else. It just seems like such a good moment between two characters. It seems to reveal their hearts. Unfortunately, it no longer really fits with what comes before it. I'm going to try to fit in before, make that moment come earlier in the prose.
It's a bit like life I suppose. Sometimes we just have to recognize that what we're doing isn't working. No amount of ignoring problems, finagling situations, or manipulating people is going to change the facts. We are messed up people and we need to rely on the Author and Perfecter of our lives to bring our story to a satisfactory conclusion.
So, I'm off to make a few snips, and I'll let you know what the finished product looks like.
No comments:
Post a Comment