That is the question...
I was reading through Freeborn and Freegiven the other day, editing typos and the like as I went, and occasionally changing the wording of something, or editing dialogue. And as I got deeper, and started to pay more attention, I realized there was a great deal lacking in the depth of prose I was using. In other words, it was too conversational. Even though I had avoided using boring words like "big" and kept away from run-on "then"'s, it was still severely lacking. This was a problem I had fixed on Feather and Fang during the last year, but I had written far less in that, and was still playing with the plot, so things were still in flux. To fix Freeborn would require a major overhaul. Not to mention there are still several plotholes and unoriginal situations that need attention.
So the question I am faced with is: "Do I edit, or rewrite?" Do I just keep on fixing what I have, or do I start over again, using the first as the skeleton to build on rather than the skin to reform?
One of my best friends and fellow writers has rewritten nearly every one of his major story ideas at least once or twice. I have seen him go through five iterations of a single plot idea, each different from the previous, until all that showed up in the final from the first was the premise. Characters changed, locations changed, plot arcs changed, climax and conclusion changed. And it was worth it. The final drafts are so much better than the first, though you couldn't have known that when you read the first.
So... should I rewrite? I honestly don't know yet. I am leaning more in that direction, since I had moderate success in rewriting Grey Warrior. (As much as could be expected with no plot line). My writing has improved greatly since then (as is obvious when comparing Freeborn and Trust Hole), and I have a solid plot, with several important additions I would be making if I was going to simply edit it.
What do ya'll think? Have you ever rewritten something completely? Or do you find extensive editing to be more up your alley? Leave a comment if you want to share, or hold a conversation with yourself! (It's helpful sometimes :) )
A yet undecided, Farjag
Well, from a gung ho supporter's point of view, I would say re-write, but as someone who has realized the same problem and has faced the same decision between editing or completely re-writing something, I would spare myself the pain and just edit.
ReplyDeleteI'd say it depends. If dialogue and such are your problems, then I think editing would be the more reasonable way to go. But if you mean to change a major plotline or perhaps an entire theme, then I'd have to encourage you to re-write.
Though I am no writer, I am presently facing the same dilemma: one of my screen plays, after several revisions, had a totally skewed worldview, and so, in order to fix such a large problem, I'll have to either re-write or edit EXTENSIVELY. Of course, you would know nothing of this! ;)
So, from what you seem to say on your post, your problem (or your main one, that is!) seems to be with the dialogue. So I would say edit rather than re-write. At the end, I think the best person to decide this would be you.
I'm hoping to hear from other people as well... I could benefit just as much as you!
Good Stuff, mate!
Basil