All writers know that revisions are a necessary evil, a vital (though sometimes tedious) part of the process of writing a book.  Unfortunately, many writers do not see it for what it actually is:  another opportunity for them to be creative.

Now, if you all you are changing in your manuscript are small phrases, spelling and punctuation mistakes, and grammar issues, such pains-taking corrections can be less than exciting.  I tend to think of this type of revision as a “polish”:  your manuscript is almost literally walking out the door and you are making sure its buttons are fastened, its hair is combed, and it doesn’t have spinach caught between its teeth.

Sometimes, however, a hiatus is needed—a vacation from your manuscript. If you are getting weary of working with your current WIP—after months of rounds of writing, critiquing, re-writing, and re-critiquing—set your work aside and let it percolate.  This can actually lead the writer to a stronger conception of their work.  Coming back to your novel with fresh eyes and a willingness to embrace change can truly work miracles.

The revision that excites me most is the one where I truly re-vision a major portion or concept of the work.  Seeing the work in a different light, or thinking about it “outside the box” that I originally put it in, often takes the manuscript in a better direction simply because I am not limiting myself to my original vision of it.

This process is, however, fraught with pain and fear.  Pain because I have to sacrifice ideas, scenes, language, dialogue that I have become incredibly fond of.  The first book I wrote, my medieval, will have approximately 8-10 chapters cut when I revise it this summer.  I know this, and have been putting it off because I like an awful lot of what’s in those chapters.  But the harsh reality is that the major story conflict starts at the end of chapter 9.  Their courtship, while a conflict in and of itself, is not the major conflict in the book; the conflict emerges after they fall in love.  And at its current length of 160K, the book needs pruning.

But there is also fear.  Fear of making a mistake.  Fear that this re-visioning will weaken rather than strengthen the book.  That is a very real risk with every revision, and not a light one.

There is the hope, however, at the end of so many tunnels. 

As I wrote this blog, I recalled some advice a friend recently gave me, suggesting that I think about breaking the book in half and creating a two book set.  Now I’m wondering if perhaps it could be done as a three book set—chronicling the whole story:  boy woos girl and gets her, boy loses girl, boy gets girl again in the end. 

Hmmmm.  A new vision.  A re-vision.  And anticipation of rewriting a story I love suddenly escalates.  Can’t hardly wait for summer now.

Below are a couple of links that may help make revisions easier.  They give advice and strategies from some of the top writers in the business.

 http://www.indiereader.com/zine-article.htm?id=52

http://inkyfreshpress.com/2010/12/writers-on-the-art-of-revision-natalie-whipple-katherine-center-stephen-king/

Stephen King’s book On Writing is a personal favorite of mine.  He has another, earlier book, Danse Macabre, that also has great information on writing, especially for the horror genre.

How difficult is it for you to revise your work?  Do you look forward to revising or do you drag your feet?  Please share a comment about your take on revisions.