Revisionland

Confession: I love revising. Love it.

Don’t get me wrong, I love drafting too – the suspense of becoming acquainted with new characters and the surprise of figuring out what they’ll say and how they’ll react. ª

I get the whole Girl Scouts’ song “Make new friends…” but I’ve never had a problem with “but keep the old.”

Revisions *contented sigh* are like going home to my friends-since-elementary-school, sitting on a porch and drinking apple cider while we chat and chat.

It’s familiar. It’s comfortable. And it’s engaging. Uncovering new layers, ambitions, motivation. Tightening and interweaving. Discovering threads of nuance I’d already included that need to be enhanced.

Give me colored pens, a large bag of Revision Skittles, and a quiet place to work and I’ll stay happily sequestered until St. Matt or the puggles demand some attention or life intervenes. Emerging for bathroom breaks and refills of my mug and Revision Skittles, pausing for Inspiration Walks, Inspiration Workouts and Inspiration Bubble-baths, my mind is full of beloved characters and trouble spots in the manuscript.

And even when I’m away – 26 sixth graders demand a lot of my attention and energy for much of the week – there are scenes and scenarios bubbling away on the back burner of my brain.

So when I’m lacking on Twitter, slacking on my blog and being a delinquent about returning phone calls, don’t worry. I haven’t been kidnapped by pirates, gotten lost in the woods or come down with an incurable strain of porcine flu.

I’m just ensconced in my revision-cave, sugar-fortified, ink-stained fingers, scribbled-across pages and a smile.

Be back soon.

11 Replies to “Revisionland”

  1. Your revision cave sounds like a wonderful place to pass the time with some very cool people. *waves at Tiffany’s characters* Hi, guys! Can’t wait to see you after your makeover. 🙂

  2. Um, Tiffany…why does it say I made that comment on March 8 at 2:55 a.m. when it’s still March 7? Have I accidentally projected myself into your future?

    Well, never mind. I and my characters would LOVE to come share your revision cave. *scoots in & hands over extra skittles*

  3. Suze, I’m absolutely reserving the right to have a *cranky* revision cave one of these days, but while it’s going well, I’m going to hold on with two hands and keep my feet planted.

    Want to join Linda & I?

  4. I can see my revision cave! It’s either at the top of that hill over yonder, or it’s wayyyy down there under the waves of the sea…the kind you swim down to that has an air pocket inside. I hope there are Revision Skittles waiting when I reach it. They’re growing on me.

    No one can inspire revision like T. <3

  5. I can see my revision cave! It’s either at the top of that hill over yonder, or it’s wayyyy down there under the waves of the sea…the kind you swim down to that has an air pocket inside. I hope there are Revision Skittles waiting when I reach it. They’re growing on me.

    No one can inspire revision like T. <3

  6. Emily – I’m glad you’re succumbing to a dependency on Revision Skittles. My work here is done.

    Suze – Yes, we may have to play the “Quiet Game” in order to get any revising done in this crowded cave. And I imagine we’d end up filming many, many sequels to the cupcake video. Mmmmm.

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