Just in the last year I've started using journaling as part of my revision process. I'm not sure why it never occured to me before, given that I journal regularly in my personal life, but I was on a week-long trip, about to start my next draft, and I decided to hash things out on paper instead of digitally.
Point being, this notebook method is now my FAVORITE revision tool, especially when I'm stuck. I typically start by free writing whatever I know about the stuckness, which invariably leads to specific questions, and through answering those questions, I progressively get clear on what I need to change and how. I can practically feel my brain unlocking as I go.
Thank you for this! Working on my novel has had its ups and downs, but I'm currently in the murky realm of revision. Your last paragraph is particularly powerful--a good reminder for when it's hard to see the forest for the trees, so to speak.
Hi Leslye, way back since grade (parochial) and high school have taught me to use and practice journals, yes. I do keep a writing journal and diary. To be honest, since my original college days, I've never used a journal (outside of using one as part of a back-in-the-day writing correspondence school). I think that I really began to use a journal about five to ten years ago, but I kept it going now and then. I have one journal for my thoughts and another for my writing progress of my project and plans.
As for using some of my characters from an original project into another, I've thought of doing that. The main antagonist in my future novel(la) titled RUNT, Mitch "Stitchell" Skilars(ky), will have his own book series (not a long one). In my published flash fiction, "High-Tailers: The Search for D.B.
Cooper", I will go into the youth of one of the main characters, Daniel J. Ostley, as a science-fantasy YA novella series.
This was so helpful, thank you!
Just in the last year I've started using journaling as part of my revision process. I'm not sure why it never occured to me before, given that I journal regularly in my personal life, but I was on a week-long trip, about to start my next draft, and I decided to hash things out on paper instead of digitally.
Point being, this notebook method is now my FAVORITE revision tool, especially when I'm stuck. I typically start by free writing whatever I know about the stuckness, which invariably leads to specific questions, and through answering those questions, I progressively get clear on what I need to change and how. I can practically feel my brain unlocking as I go.
Yesss!! Oh I love this. It's like a self-interview. Thanks!
Thank you for this! Working on my novel has had its ups and downs, but I'm currently in the murky realm of revision. Your last paragraph is particularly powerful--a good reminder for when it's hard to see the forest for the trees, so to speak.
Keep fighting the good fight! The victory will be sweet!
Hi Leslye, way back since grade (parochial) and high school have taught me to use and practice journals, yes. I do keep a writing journal and diary. To be honest, since my original college days, I've never used a journal (outside of using one as part of a back-in-the-day writing correspondence school). I think that I really began to use a journal about five to ten years ago, but I kept it going now and then. I have one journal for my thoughts and another for my writing progress of my project and plans.
As for using some of my characters from an original project into another, I've thought of doing that. The main antagonist in my future novel(la) titled RUNT, Mitch "Stitchell" Skilars(ky), will have his own book series (not a long one). In my published flash fiction, "High-Tailers: The Search for D.B.
Cooper", I will go into the youth of one of the main characters, Daniel J. Ostley, as a science-fantasy YA novella series.
Sorry that this is lengthy. : )
Having multiple journals is a sign you were meant to be a writer :)