After pulling 8 pages (two scenes) from my novel, I was met with a moment or two of concern. While I knew that the excised pages had to go, I had no idea what would take their place. None. I spent some time on Sunday thinking about it. I tossed a few ideas back and forth, but nothing jumped out at me.
On Monday night, I got that one spark that I needed. The scenes I cut were of a fight in a prison yard. They were simply too ordinary, so they had to go. I still needed a fight in the prison yard, though. I decided to make the fight over food. Not only would that provide a motive for two malnourished inmates to go at it, but it would also help the protagonist to have an important epiphany later on.
After that, the scene pretty much wrote itself. It was one of those rare occasions where the words came out as fast as I could write them. I still need to revise the scene a bit, but I realized upon finishing the draft that there are few things in life that I find more enjoyable than writing.
So who needs drugs? Writing is legal, it’s free, and it’s way more of a rush.
I was watching the Sopranos the other night and Tim Daly from “Wings” was playing a writer who I guess owes the family a favor and they interrupt a class he’s teaching just after he says “Writers are…hung up. And we’re hung up about our hang ups….” I thought that was pretty funny. So in addition to being legal and free, it’s also a coping mechanism. And editing is coping with that. Best of luck.
Hey I just wanted to come over to the non-heated blog to say something nice and not argumenative…I do hope things are going well for you and the novel and even though we disagree on basically everything I appreciate you reading my blog like you can’t believe. I think you are so cool!! sorry if that is too smooshy but thanks.
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Christopher, you are so right. I’m neurotic, and I’m neurotic about being neurotic. It’s quite entertaining at times. Thanks for the comment!
Nikki, things certainly do get interesting over at your political blog. I’m glad that even though we’re on opposite sides of the aisle, we can have civil discussions. See you in the trenches!