Monthly Archives: April 2015

Revisions

I was recently directed to a certain author’s blog, who, possibly jumping off from Heinlein’s third rule of writing, tells aspiring writers never to revise their work (or possibly even re-read anything they’ve written).  Rather, he says just keep cranking out the prose and sending it out and/or publishing it, then moving on to the next thing.

Personally, the very idea of doing that horrifies me, since when I look at some of the old stuff I’ve written I can only be grateful no one else had a chance to see it until I had a chance to make it better, and figure out how I actually want the plot to function.  But I understand that every writer is different, and no doubt many are slow, careful types who get things down pretty much the way they like the first time.  But I can’t help but wonder if functioning this way might result in some books like the one in the old Bob and Ray skit:

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Filed under The Writing Biz

Thrilling, But Not Blood-Curdling

outlineIt is my sad lot to be a pantser.  I bear up under it, mostly, but I do sometimes wish I was an outliner.  Those anal-retentive buggers seem to have things easier in a lot of ways (nano notwithstanding).

But my recent discovery of these outlines from the Stratemeyer syndicate have been a revelation.  All I need is an Edward Stratemeyer of my own, to provide me with sizzling outlines that I can fill out into bestselling novels.  Preferably ones like those of the proposed “X-bar-X Boys series” that are thrilling, but not blood-curdling.  I’d also like to be published in hard cover like the Hardy Boys books, so as to appear respectable to parents.  Important consideration, that.

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Filed under General Writing Things, The Writing Biz