Re-Visioning

This is where I am right now.  THE REVISION CAVE.

Revising

Okay, I haven’t blogged since the middle of October.  My excuse is that, in addition to a full-time day job (teaching),  I’ve been fretting over a revision request on a mg novel I’ve subbed.  Chipping away at the manuscript.  Slow-going but I’m still at it.  Whoever said, “Writing is rewriting,” knew what they were talking about.  Anyone can write; it’s rewriting that shapes and makes the story.  I liken it to having children.  Giving birth is the easy part.  

My first revision goal was Thanksgiving.  I’ve since moved it forward to post-holidays.  Sigh.  I wish my day job didn’t get in the way, but then, I probably work better under pressure.  Less time to procrastinate (although I still do – I am a veritable genie at procrastination.  In addition to the real pressures, I can pull more things out of thin air to keep me foolishly busy.) 

I continue to be surprised at this story as I revise.  Someone on the Blueboards called it “breaking open the manuscript.”  It’s just such a slow process for me.  Is it like that for everyone?  I’ve read and re-read the agent’s editorial letter and am trying to keep in mind the well-known advice to “edit with a feather,” but it’s hard.  At the same time, I’m missing working on my other mg story, which is in the first draft stage and lots more fun to work on.   

Warning – Rambling Thought here:  I am looking at signing up for the Vermont MFA program.  Thinking about the hours it would take each week to get through it…hmmm.  Any thoughts or advice?