Books by Lorie Ann Grover

Books by Lorie Ann Grover
Kirkus Starred Review, Firstborn: "A fantasy that reads like a lost history tome and deftly examines issues of gender...An engrossing story with welcome depths."

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Thoughts on Revision or Run, Chicken, Run

http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/s/sh/shed/887972_clip_art_chicken_1.jpg
I've been thinking about my revision process because of Holly Cupala's Summer Revision Smackdown this summer with Jolie Stekly. I had some clarity this morning as I discussed my pattern with my daughter.

So I'm working on a manuscript I've been nursing a few years. Just recently I grasped a major plot and structure change. What commenced was a frantic urge to get to my computer to tackle the ideas. I became irritated, grumpy, and driven. Other activities and people were a test in patience. (Sorry, you guys.)

This morning I landed on the last page, all changes poured from head onto the screen. Like separating the yolk and white with eggshells. Slippery, bloopy stuff.

And now there's peace again. I can do rgz work, clean, chat with friends. I'm still revising. But there's not the urgency that I had before. What I have is a dead, plucked, uncooked, floppy chicken. However, it's not going anywhere.

These are my thoughts. If you hit me at the egg separating moment, please accept my apologies. I'll be dancing with the floppy chicken soon enough and hoping people will join my conga line.

Here's to good friends and family who tolerate revising writers! Love ya! Smack!

1 comment:

holly cupala said...

"What I have is a dead, plucked, uncooked, floppy chicken."

Ha!