REWRITING YOUR STORY (When Revising Isn’t Enough)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- How do you know whether you need to revise or rewrite your novel? What's the difference between revising and rewriting? One thing I've learned is that rewriting a book isn't as scary as it sounds. In fact, it might even be a faster process than revisions!
Stuff I use as a full time writer/author (that you may have spotted in this video!) (affiliate links are afoot):
WRITING/WORK STUFF
Alphasmart Neo2. Highly highly recommend. amzn.to/3cStKui
Adjustable laptop desk. I LOVE this thing. Typing with my arms at an angle has drastically reduced elbow/wrist pain. amzn.to/2OYh0tX
Clever Fox planner. I’ve used a few planners and this is my fav. Lots of space for mind-mapping and brainstorming, daily to-do lists, space for goal setting. amzn.to/3vNmk3Z
Best writing pens, hands down. I use them every time I revise a book. amzn.to/311nRoP
Acer monitor. I kind of hate the word gamechanger but this really was that kind of purchase. amzn.to/3vH71Kh
Brother laser printer. I won’t lie, this thing is a behemoth. But I’ve had it since 2017 and I think I’ve had maybe one paper jam? It works great, it’s super consistent, A++ for printing manuscripts. amzn.to/3tzIvZE
Macbook Air. Doesn’t really need my recommendation. amzn.to/2OUCaJx
COFFEE STUFF
Ninja coffee maker. I freaking love this thing! It has a “speciality” setting that’ll make...not espresso, but pretty dang close. There’s a milk frother attached if you want to get fancy with your drink. amzn.to/31533Nu
Cold brew pitcher. I have two of these on constant rotation in the fridge. Don’t judge me. amzn.to/3cSKVM9
Zulay milk frother. (Yes, I take my coffee seriously.) amzn.to/3r7DDJu
VIDEO MAKING STUFF
Canon G7X Mark iii camera. amzn.to/3r9BfCb
Savage studio lights. I mostly use these for ‘talking head’ videos. amzn.to/3r7G6Un
Ubeesize 10” ring light. That’s the little guy sitting on my desk. I mostly use it for vlogging. amzn.to/31hqpzD
JJC mini tripod. amzn.to/3feXxjJ
Rode clip mic. amzn.to/2OSaLb2
______________
Check out my free Create Dynamic Characters course, a quick writing workshop that'll help you create a protagonist who transforms AND find an organic plot for your novel in just 20-30 minutes! michelleschust...
Plus I've got lots of other freebies for you to download and use on your writing journey, including:
From Premise to Plot: A Guide to Plotting
My FIRST First Draft Checklist
My Revision Game Plan
The Query Formula
Download 'em all here: www.michellesc...
_____________
BLACK LIVES MATTER. To my fellow white authors: we have to show up every day. We have to speak out. We have to make it clear to the Black authors and creators in our community that we are here for them. Silence is not an option. Please check out this Google Doc for hundreds of resources on how you can support, donate, and learn--not just in February, not just when another senseless tragedy due to racism occurs, but every single day from right now moving forward: docs.google.co...
________________
SUPPORT INDIES!
Like audiobooks? I switched from Audible to Libro.fm in 2019 and have zero regrets. Libro.fm sends your $ to the indie bookstore of your choice! The monthly fee is the same. Sign up with this referral link and get a FREE audiobook: libro.fm/referr...
Looking for your next writing craft book? Check out my Bookshop and support indies! bookshop.org/l...
________________
Looking for a ghostwriter for your novel? I might be your gal! reedsy.com/mic...
If you're interested in using Reedsy to offer your ghostwriting or editing services, sign up here: reedsy.com/p/m...
*full disclosure: the above link is a referral! If you sign up and get a project, you and I each get $100!*
___________
MY BOOKS
/ 6522087.michelle_schus...
www.goodreads....
__________
Music from www.bensound.c...
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may receive a small commission from purchases. There is no additional charge to you!
Don't forget to download your FREE Revision Game Plan! mailchi.mp/f17f07b2dc80/1tr1vqp27s
Oh, this was a wonderful video! Thank you so much for sharing your stories, it’s nice to know even published Authors struggle with stories. It was encouraging to hear that after some years you were still able to salvage your passion project!!! Thank you again for these wonderfully informative videos!!!
Thanks, Jojo! I definitely still struggle, haha. I have sooo many unfinished manuscripts on my desktop. :)
This was such a refreshing video. It's nice to see that everyone struggles with some part of the writing process and no one's immune to it. Your advice here is priceless. Also, both your books sound like so much fun, I'll have to check them out!
Thanks so much!! I really appreciate that. 😄 And yeah, I agree - I feel like as helpful as it is when a writer gives advice on what works, it's even more helpful to hear what doesn't work!
Wow, that is such a cool story (not at the time for you obviously). Thank you for sharing, it was really helpful and inspiring.
Ha, thank you! I definitely learned something from it, so it was all worth it. :)
Thank you so much Michelle for being so real. I can't begin to tell you how much your sharing the details of your ups and downs help me as an aspiring author. You've been a blessing and have encouraged me to keep going! I hope one day soon I'll have a lot more time to really sit down and focus on writing. Trying my best now though😅
Omg 😥😌 that is a big fear of mine. I have a hard time accepting that something is not working, and then thinking about how much time invested into a project only to have it rejected.
It's so hard!! But you really do learn and grow with every project, even if it doesn't get published.
Oh I feel your pain! But I am so glad you got at least 2 of the ideas published!
As for revisions and rewriting, the rewriting bit I told myself (stubbornly) years ago that I would never do it. Lo and behold, the last few years I've been working on these stand alone novels (in the writers block/writer's doubt I get when working on my proper series) never getting too far past 100 pgs. I reread the bejeebers outta them and every time I kept seeing some glaring flaw, even though i wasn't sure what it was. So, I tried rewriting the one and discovered whole knew characters and plot I didn't know in the first (unfinished) draft. The same with another novel, only I realised that the female MC I thought would be the MC actually isn't. Her story is too limited and when I finally realised that, I understood that I had three MCs that needed to tell the story so that it could be understood. Still in the plotting process for that one yet, but it's nice to have a grasp on what needs to be done.
LOL thanks! I think it's a struggle most of us go through. Wow, what a cool revelation you had when you started rewriting! Some books absolutely require more than one POV. I hope you get through that draft this time!!
Oh, I FEEL that denial. I have - for the first time - a publisher interested in one of my books. Which is good. She's willing to put some work into it, at least that's what I read from the emails. She already made some suggestions what to fix and I am totally on track with her. We will phone in a couple of days to see if we're able to work together. And I am SO AFRAID that her sugegstion would be: "Take this one character and tell his story." She already hinted that the book wasn'ta s emotional as it could be and I should refrain from following more than one character (four. Right now it's four). Deep in my heart I know that this definitly will make the story better and bring across my point with it. But on the other hand, well, it would mean that I have to a) write the complete first half of the book new and b) Probably have to cut out my most favourite scene, because I now longer follow that character's POV. I DREAD this changes, even thou I'm positive they are for the better.
Also, I've worked on this story on and off four almost eight years by now, revising it extensivly over the last seven months. I fear that I can't even see this book anymore by now ^^'
This video is exactly what I needed to hear about the third version of my book, which feels like I need to throw away and start over. Thanks for making it less scary, and the reassurance that it's not "starting over" from nothing.
Whew. Thank you for the encouragement.
Happy to help! :)
Whelp. This popped up in my recommendations right when I needed it! Thank you for this video!
Glad it was helpful, Chelsea!! :)
Cool 😀
This was really good and very relatable.
Thanks so much, Camille! :)
Blind pigeon.....sounded interesting.....or I really feel bad if the bird ever took flight!!!