8th December 2005
A problem: do you continue to revise throughout the writing of a first draft, ie. combine a first and second draft; or do you write the first draft without pausing for breath? The latter method allows one's ideas to flow more freely but the first allows a sense of perspective to seep into your work.
I confronted this problem today when I went to see a friend who told me my language was too thick, my metaphors too elaborate, resulting in non sequiters and a general lack of clarity. Charles suggested I be more serious. His opinion was invaluable. Thank you, Charles. I realized I had to radically pare down my language,and cut the comic flourishes, which inhabit my writing. I promised myself that after every seven pages of material I'd give myself this treatment. The on-going revision method makes the eventual final draft seem less daunting, even if the accumulation of work is slower.
My novel is serious, but I have a tendency to write jokes. The novel is essentially comedic but it is the comedy of pain, of recognition, rather than the comedy of laughter, that ought to prevail. I should remember this and hope to do so.
Andrew Timothy
Comments