I am SO excited about today’s lesson with guest blogger, Helen Brenna! It’s fabulous! I’m so glad that Helen and I “met” online and that she agreed to be with us today as her take on this topic is wonderful. And her books are great, too! She writes for Superromance, one of my favorite Harlequin/Silhouette lines ever. There’s something for everyone in Superromance and the writers are always top notch. I don’t think I’ve ever not liked a Super! So without further ado…please give Helen a warm jungle welcome!
Revision: A Writer’s Best Friend or Her Worst Nightmare?
Hi everyone! Thanks, Julie, for inviting me to visit!
You know those writers who have problems letting their book babies go? They happily revise and revise and revise until the cows come home? Apparently, I’m not one of them. Revisions scared the heck out of me until, some years ago, I finally faced the fact that I’d written four books that hadn’t sold and weren’t going to sell unless I sucked it up and fixed them.
I had to change my perception of revisions, and I’m glad I did. While my October Superromance, Finding Mr. Right, is my fourth published romance, it’s actually an incarnation of my second completed manuscript that never would’ve seen the light of day without significant reworking.
In a nutshell, here’s how it went down.
Finding Mr. Right was once upon a time called Unspoken Promises and back in 1994 it was my first Golden Heart finalist. Despite having acquired an agent and the interest of several editors, it didn’t sell. With that story, I made one of the biggest mistakes new writers make and ignored the market with a vengeance. I took my characters to the Middle East, from Manhattan, to Saudi Arabia, to Lebanon, and on to Cyprus.
I know. You’re rolling your eyes. How stupid is this woman?
But here’s the thing. I hadn’t intended on writing a book set in the Middle East. The setting naturally evolved from the plot. Maggie, the heroine, has built a business from scratch, never having relied on anyone for anything. Her story arc revolves around her getting pushed out of her comfort zone and having to hire a man. And the hero, Nick, needs Maggie’s company as cover to avenge the murder of a friend.
With a pure suspense, I might’ve been able to get away with a Middle East setting, but this was a romantic, emphasis on the romance part, suspense. Any wonder it didn’t sell?
So what’s a girl to do? Go back and rework? Drop it and start something new? Or slog on through?
I started a new book. I needed to have fun in order to remind myself why I was writing. So I wrote Treasure, the book that won the RITA this past summer for Best Series Romantic Suspense. Interestingly enough, that book never did very well in contests, as least not in its original form, and I couldn’t get anyone, agents or editors, interested. So, once again, starting a new book seemed easier than revising Treasure.
Enter book number four. Dad for Life. Didn’t sell this one right away either, despite the fact that it finalled in the Golden Heart, another agent offered to represent me, and several editors expressed serious interest.
This is the point where I realized (I’ve already explained how dumb I am, right?) that I had to get a grip on revisions, otherwise I was going to keep writing these stories that no publisher was ever going to want to buy. My writing was where it was supposed to be, but my execution obviously left something to be desired.
I’m not talking about micro revisions, like editing individual scenes, or adding depth or better characterization to a story. No, I’m talking about the scary kind. The kind where you have to take a manuscript apart and put it back together again because something major isn’t working, or change one thing in the beginning that echoes on through the entire story.
Going back and reworking these books has taught me a few general things that seem worth passing on.
1. Get Feedback. Accumulate as much overall and detailed feedback as possible. Critique group comments, contest scoresheets, rejection letters. Put them all together and see if you can find common threads. If not, read into the comments. Most of us can tell if something isn’t working right, but very few of us can get to the real flaw in a scene, let alone an entire book. You know your story better than anyone, so you just might be better at figuring things out given a little guidance.
2. Work in Some Distance. You might be able to take a look at a scene you wrote yesterday and be quite capable of determining whether or not it’s working, but if you’ve just finished a book, chances are you don’t have the distance you need to take a look at the project as a whole and figure out what’s working and what isn’t. Take a weekend, a week, several months, a year, whatever time you can afford and then read your story again. Get that distance any way you can and use it to your advantage.
3. Cultivate Objectivity. Distance should give you some objectivity, but objectivity is not the same as distance. By gaining objectivity, I mean cultivating in yourself the ability to separate yourself from your writing. We all say our books are our babies. They’re not. You tell me my babies are ugly and I might punch your lights out. My books? Some people will love what I write, others will hate it, chances are most folks will be somewhere in between. And that’s okay. There are no perfect writers. Believe it.
4. More objectivity. Take that objectivity you’re nurturing and give it a shot of steroids. Embrace criticism as if it’s your best friend. It’s like that quote by Nietzsche that goes something like that which does not kill you can only make you stronger. Even if a person is malicious in his or her criticism, the criticism itself cannot hurt you. You can only gain by learning how to listen to what other people have to say about your writing or story.
So how did I revise Finding Mr. Right?
Going through significant revisions on my first two published books, helped me realize that nothing has to be written in stone. I reset my story from the Middle East to Greece and created a scenario where the hero needed to access secured government files in order to avenge his friend’s death. I also had to finally accept that the Middle Eastern setting wasn’t the only problem. My heroine wasn’t right for my hero. And that was the toughest pill of all to swallow. Well, that and the fact that my writing had, thank God, improved in fourteen years.
So what about you? Do you like to revise? Hate it? What have you learned about the revision process in your writing journey?
I’d love to give away a copy of Finding Mr. Right today, so anyone who comments or asks a question is in the running!
And next year keep an eye out for:
3/09 – From the Outside, from the Harlequin NASCAR series and
8/09, 10/09 and 12/09, a Superromance trilogy set in Wisconsin, on a fictitious Apostle Island named Mirabelle.
Visit my website or drop me an email: http://www.helenbrenna.com/
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Welcome, Helen! Nice too “meet” you! I always embraced revisions with the goal of better book would equal a sale. We’re all different! But I agree with everything you said. The part I personally have the toughest time with is # 2. Giving distance because it equals having patience. As the plotmonkeys know, that is so not my thing.
Yet it’s 100% the right thing to do.
But I loved what you said about collecting advice AND THEN FINDING THE COMMON THREADS. Because if you listen to everything everyone says, you’re stuck in the situation of not knowing what to change! It has to be a common thread or something that resonates with you – you know you should change it but you can’t face it, and yet …
I give you credit for making those huge changes in the story because honestly, changing the place and the heroine … you practically wrote a new book! I’m so glad it was lesson learned for you and you’re doing so well!
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Wow Helen what great advice! I guess I never realized how much patience an author needs to have….maybe that’s why I struggle
Have you ever made revisions only to find that it was better left alone?
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Welcome Helen! I’m a reader only, but enjoy finding out about each author’s writing process.
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Hi Helen,
Welcome to the jungle! Thank you for the great advice about revisions. I’m one of those sick people who actually like revisions. If an editor tells me to do revisions I do them, anything to make the book stronger, better.
Congratulations on making those huge changes to your book and sticking with it. Not every author out there would have accepted the challenge.
Cher
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Hi Helen! Welcome to the jungle and thanks for a great article.
As someone who is currently in the process of rewriting a story for the 3rd time, I can completely relate to a lot of what you said. The first go round was just plain awful. It was the first thing I’d ever written and I didn’t completely finish it. The 2nd time was better and I entered it into a contest (Yay, Julie and the TARA contest). All the feedback was the same – stronger conflict. I’d also hooked up with a critique partner who said the same thing, so I started on the 3rd version.
And because I needed to change the conflict, most of the story is getting rewritten. I’ve been able to keep a little of the original 2 versions, but not much.
I sat it off to the side and wrote a novella (which sold, yippee) and then, when I went back to it, I had that distance and objectivity you talked about. Now, I’ve been working on it for several months again, and I’m losing that objectivity and perspectve. Some days I think it stinks and needs to find a nice cozy fire somewhere. Other days, I think it’s okay and I need to keep plugging along.
My critique partners have loved it, as has a friend that I passed the first 3 chapters on to, so their excitement keeps me going on those days I’m just not sure anymore. I’m certainly not afraid of revisions, but I haven’t learned to trust my instincts yet and be comfortable with knowing the revisions I’m making are the right ones.
Thanks again for being here and sharing your experience with us!!
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Hi everyone! Thanks again, Julie, for the invite! She told me you guys weren’t early risers on Saturdays. Ha! LOL
Carly, that’s where I’ve finally gotten with revisions – understanding it all makes for a better book. And a better book makes for more sales. I hope! And, I agree, the common thread on the feedback has to resonate with the author, otherwise she shouldn’t make the changes. But that means she has to be objective!!
Hey, Tina! Oh, yes, I’ve made changes that didn’t work!!!! That’s why I always save files pre-changes. By the time I’m finished with a book, I have so many files named for pre-whatever, it’s funny. The way I look at it is working through any change makes me a better writer, so I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
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Hi Liza! Thanks for stopping by to comment!
Cher, I’m getting to where I actually do like some revisions, especially if I can really feel the changes all coming together to make for a better story. Then it’s great.
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Carly, I forgot I’d wanted to mention – yes, it was almost like writing a new book. I really wanted Unspoken Promises to have it’s very own cover. It was first GH final and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this hero, so he deserved the right woman. Sounds strange, but I was motivated! I think it probably took me longer to rewrite than it would’ve to write from scratch!
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I think I have read your NASCAR books…LOVE THEM!!!!! I haven’t read your others, but I will have to check them out!
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Hi, Alannah! I feel so bad that you’re in this place with your ms. I get it. I feel the same way about things when I go through several sets of revisions. I start to hate what I’m doing and continually doubt that I will ever again be able to write anything anyone is ever going to like.
Unfortunately, you may find that’s part of your process. I think it is for me.
I absolutely hated Finding Mr. Right pretty much until the last 2 weeks before sending it on to my agent. The book got a 4 1/2 star Top Pick from RT. What do I know?
So I guess if I were to add a fifth point to this it would be “To be kind to yourself.” Pat yourself on the back for all the hard work you’ve done and are doing and trust, trust, trust that you’re becoming a better writer because of it.
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Good morning Helen,
1st I am not a writer, just a reader. However, I love revision! I find myself stumbling on mistakes in the books I read.The more information & comments I’ve read in the last couple of months since finding Romance stuff on the internet the more critical & picky I have become. I’m looking for different things when I read now, so my expectations have certainly risen in what is acceptable to me to read. I enjoy going back over writings & making things better (like when I was in college & forced to write-ugh) or getting to the end of a scene & saying “WOW” awesome writing. I’ve read some blogs from others that I had to turn & share with the hubby b/c they were so insightful & mind grabbing & awesome, that how could I not. I do see, especially in e-books, where editing/revisions, whatever you want to call, it is lacking. Then I see some that OMG I want them in print so I can hold them.
Now after saying all this, I am truly amazed at the imaginations & talent to just come up with the idea/story & put it on paper. I totally respect that as I have no talent in this area. So cudos to all you authors for this alone!!!
Have a great weekend,
Susan
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Hi Helen! Thanks for being here and sharing this great information!
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Welcome to the jungle Helen. Thanks for coming. Thanks for sharing your process on revision. Being a reader only it makes you appreciate you authors alot more. Wow, such hard work you all do for us to have an amazing story. Thank you.
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Hey, Katie! Almost missed you in there.
Yay, you read my NASCAR book! I’ve got another one coming out 3/09 that was a lot of fun to write, so if you liked Peak Performance, you’ll love From the Outside. An ex-Formula One playboy and an American Sweetheart actress. Just got the cover yesterday, so I’ll have to get that up on my website.
I think you’ll find my voice is the same whether your reading one of my NASCAR books or my Superromances, so if you like one, you’ll like the other.
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Hey Susan B! You sure you’re not a writer? LOL This is funny because before I started writing seriously, I never critiqued books. But now that I’m writing, I’m constantly analyzing what’s working and what isn’t.
Hi Robin!
And thanks Rebekah E!
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I also wanted to say, there is such a thing as too much polish, taking out all that shines in a book by constantly reediting. You should not spend your life on one book and never write a new one or you’ll never move on. And never expect to sell every book you write, because it can cause a permanent mental block and again, you wont’ move forward. I know people who can’t move forward because of that one book they’re constantly revising. So watch out for that trap, but YES you MUST revise!
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Wecome, Helen! :wave: I just went through a huge revision. I had to cut almost 25,000 words. This particular book had been changed several different times since I wrote it, all to the detriment of the story. I finally went back to the roots of the story, but back in the proper time frame so the plot and the characters make sense. I had to weight scenes and secondary characters and almost each word carefully. I HATED it! But the book was much better. I got the critique back from an editor, looked at what she had to say, and revised it again. It’s now back on her desk and I’ve got my fingers crossed!
The bottom line is, do we want to sell and become PAID, published authors? Or is our work so sacrosanct that we can’t change a word? I want to be a working writer so my decision was fairly simple. Does it hurt to get criticism? Yes. But the ultimate goal is to produce a manuscript that someone besides your family and best friends want to read.
All of your tips are terrific, Helen!
Thanks for reminding me that time, distance, and objectivity are key to getting where I want to go.
Have a great day, Jungle Buddies! I’m off to my first meeting with OK RWA to learn about world building from Gena Showalter.
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Excellent point, Carly. Too much polish can take the heart out of a book. You can have a structurally perfect book that’s boring.
Point # 6 – Recognize when it’s time to move on.
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Hey Silver J – Good Luck! You sound like you’ve got a great attitude. Revisions don’t stop just because a writer sells.
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I will have to remember that, Helen…I loved “Peak Performance”. I love those NASCAR books and I get to discover new authors (I am so excited for your new one!). I will definitely check out the others!
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I heard someone the other day talking about “polishing the soul out of the story.” I haven’t gotten to the polishing part, I’m still trying to hammer and nail! :giggle: I honestly think by the time I get finished with construction, I’m going to be too I-don’t-care-ish to polish too much!
And Susan, I agree with Helen. Are you sure there’s not a writer hiding in here somewhere? :giggle:
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You know, Alannah, some writers don’t need a lot of revision, so you might fight your hammer and nail version is great.
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Hi, Helen! Welcome to the jungle. And thank you for a great article with lots of solid advice! :wave:
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Hello Helen, It is a pleasure to meet you… Thanks for sharing! I love when authors share info with us… :flower4you:
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Hi Helen. Good to see you here. Great post. A lot of great information. I love the cover to Finding Mr. Right.
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Looking roward to this one! I just wanted to tell everyone that is they haven’t read Treasure, their missing a great read. Loved it!
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Hi Helen,
I’m not a writer, but I remember doing revisions for school papers. I hate to revise my work. It’s especially hard when your professor is finding fault with your work. It may feel like criticism, but they’re just trying to help you improve your work.
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:wave: Hello, Helen. Great to see you here in the jungle. Thanks for all of the great advice. My WIP (work in pieces) is going through some serious rewriting.
2009 is going to be a huge treat for your fans. Can’t wait to read all of you new books.
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Hi, Janelle and thanks for having me here today!
Hi Colleen, thanks for visiting.
Wish I could say I have something to do with the cover, Crystal B, but I’m glad you like it. I think it’s my best Superromance cover yet. Love how the colors pop.
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Hey Teresa!!! Miss you!
Jane – I remember feeling that same way in school. Some teachers are much better at giving critiques than others. I think what bothered me most, is it always seemed to be their way or the highway and they weren’t good at explaining the reasoning behind their opinions.
Fiona, sweetie, you’re making me blush! Good luck with your WIP.
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Wow we have a record number of people here for a Saturday or at least it feels that way. Great topic, Helen. Thanks again!
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Carly, I don’t usually stop by (not a writer), but something told me to (and it turns out that Helen writes awesome NASCAR books, what more can I want?).
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Great topic!
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Great advice!! I have bookmarked this page for when I am ready to start the revision process on my WIP.
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Hi Helen,
Do you have a scene in your mind that you haven’t been able to fit into one of your stories yet?
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I am just a reader, but enjoyed reading about your revision process.
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Hi Helen! Thanks for the great article. While I’m not a writer, I always enjoy reading about the challenges writers face and their processes for dealing with them.
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I’m blushing again, Katie.
Hi Minna and Carrie!
Susan, interesting you should ask if I have a scene in mind that I haven’t been able to fit into a story. I have an entire SUBPLOT that needs a book!! And it’s a good one, too. I had to cut over 100 pps from Dad for Life. It was originally written as a ST, and it had a triangle love affair subplot that didn’t work for Superromance. One of the secondaries from that story is still one of my favorite characters. Maybe some day he’ll have his own book!
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Hi Estella – never say you’re JUST a reader! LOL Where would us writers be without you?
Hi Stacie Mc – glad you stopped by.
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Carly, I’m glad to see that today’s been a good day. You guys have been great. Thanks so much for having me!
Julie asked me to pick a winner at the end of the day, so I’m thinking this is it since it’s a Saturday. Thanks everyone for stopping by and all your kind comments!
Liza is the winner of FINDING MR RIGHT! Please email me @helenbrenna@comcast.net with your addy and I’ll send it out!
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Helen thank you so much for being here today!!!
Terrific stuff!!!
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Boy am I sorry I missed this one, and didn’t get a chance to ask questions! Just what I needed.