In serious need of advice - Writers Forum

Oracle · 01-04-2006, 07:49 PM

This novel series is driving me insane. I've started it 5 times, each with a new approach, and I've been unsatisfied with it. I've finally decided where to begin, and I was just about ready to start writing, when I decided to read my previous drafts.

Drafts 2 through 5 were pretty good, but the main character was terrible. I was portraying him from the wrong angle.

The most recent draft, number 6, the one where I know exactly how to start the book, is TOTAL CRAP. It's the worst piece of garbage I've ever written. I like the place I'm starting in, the way I portray the characters, and everything.... but it's just boring. It's not a boring scene... just boring writing.

I went back and read draft 1. Sure, my story concepts have changed alot since I wrote it, so it wouldn't fit with what I've come up with now... but the writing is probably my best work. I was surprised at how good it was. I didn't remember it being that great, but it was actually intriguing.

Is it just me, or is the quality of writing supposed to fall with each new draft? I thought the idea of revision was to make the writing better. Sure, I made the plot better, but the writing just got progressively worse.

Any advice on how I can get my old spark back?

vanax · 01-04-2006, 07:54 PM

take all your drafts and look at why you changed them. Personaly i find that when i rewrite something it does get worse but if i expand or work on the draft i have it tends to progress better. this is just me a lot of other writers will tell you different. maybe you have gotten bored with your story? If your not interested in what your writing it shows in how you write it.

i hope you figure it out.

mammamaia · 01-05-2006, 01:35 AM

Is it just me, or is the quality of writing supposed to fall with each new draft?

...no... it's supposed to improve...

I thought the idea of revision was to make the writing better.

...it is...

Sure, I made the plot better, but the writing just got progressively worse.

...that's a serious problem... how much time elapsed between your first and latest drafts?... vanax's final two sentences may target what's wrong...

Any advice on how I can get my old spark back?

...nope... sorry... it's something you either have or don't, imo... why not shelve this work for a good while and work on other things, to see what your writing quality is like on new stuff?...

Hodge · 01-05-2006, 01:39 AM

Get someone else's opinion. Sometimes when I work on a piece for a long time and just can't seem to get it right (and often think I make it worse) another person will say, "wow, you've really polished this! It's good" or something similar. You're your own worst critic.

Mike C · 01-05-2006, 10:46 AM

The best thing in all this is that you are revising, rewriting, and being critical.

Take a break. Shelve it for 3 months, and write something completely different. Or nothing at all. Come back to it with a fresh mind, you may suprise yourself.

Gauda · 01-05-2006, 07:03 PM

*cringe* I feel for you Oracle! That's what I'm going through right now, kind of. I lost all of my spark and I can't seem to get it back.

I've been recommending this a lot lately, but I still say it again. Find a place where you can relax [a good, quiet place] and re-read it over and over again. Just keep adding revisions until you are satisfied with it. Like everyone else said though, shelve it for a little bit and then come back. Most likely your creative juices will become all aroused again after that X] good luck!!

Or another idea - when I get sick of my novel I start writing a short story. It's a great way to still write and take your mind off of the main focus at the moment!

Hodge · 01-05-2006, 10:17 PM

If you really want, Oracle, I can take a look at your piece (if you'll also take a look at one of mine). I need something else to do during break time besides looking up crap on wikipedia and browsing this forum.

Oracle · 01-06-2006, 12:12 AM

Hmm... maybe. It's terrible right now. I started over again, and I've decided I'm just going to go through with it. But yeah, I wouldn't mind having someone look at it. I'll check yours out too. Just PM me, or I can post it somewhere.

Hodge · 01-06-2006, 12:41 AM

You can PM it to me. Or PM me for my email and email it to me in .rtf format so I can print it out without having to format it. And then when I finish rewriting my short story and draft it once I'll let you take a look.