It looks like you and your pooch like to sink your teeth into something and not let go. I'm thinking of Tom Skerritt's character in A River Runs Through It, where he kept handing Norman's writing back - complete with lots of red-pencil with the advice, "Again, half as long!"
Someone told me once - I don't remember who they were quoting, but it was to the effect of, "Writing is rewriting."
I wish you well - it seems like you are well stocked in red pencils!
Ha! This is hysterical when you get to the dog part. 🤣 As you know, I'm also writing middle grade fantasy, though I prefer to call it "teen fantasy adventure" because I believe/hope that older readers will enjoy it as well. I'm now at the very end of the ultra-tedious revision process for book 2, which started at 107,000 words and is ending around 86,000. That always works best for me. Chop, chop, chop, chop, chop. And it reads a lot better in the end.
As always I love your metaphors and Tock is the perfect model to prove your points. I'm afraid I saw myself in the less than sensitive "cut this!" Love the photos. Love your words, and the message is right on target.
Missoula word-meister Wendy,
It looks like you and your pooch like to sink your teeth into something and not let go. I'm thinking of Tom Skerritt's character in A River Runs Through It, where he kept handing Norman's writing back - complete with lots of red-pencil with the advice, "Again, half as long!"
Someone told me once - I don't remember who they were quoting, but it was to the effect of, "Writing is rewriting."
I wish you well - it seems like you are well stocked in red pencils!
Cheers,
Mark
That is such an apt quote. Happy rewriting to you, too, Mark!
Ha! This is hysterical when you get to the dog part. 🤣 As you know, I'm also writing middle grade fantasy, though I prefer to call it "teen fantasy adventure" because I believe/hope that older readers will enjoy it as well. I'm now at the very end of the ultra-tedious revision process for book 2, which started at 107,000 words and is ending around 86,000. That always works best for me. Chop, chop, chop, chop, chop. And it reads a lot better in the end.
Sounds like you did some very productive cutting, Jim!
As always I love your metaphors and Tock is the perfect model to prove your points. I'm afraid I saw myself in the less than sensitive "cut this!" Love the photos. Love your words, and the message is right on target.
You are a terrific reviser, Suzy! Thx for reading.
I need Tock to gnaw at some past characters. I actually tend to under-write.
That sounds like a great topic for another post - how to expand the Toy Box!
Yes! I need that one! I under-write screenplays too.
Ah, thanks, Nadia. And thanks for your wonderful pointers, too!