Revision & Self-Editing

It's a strange feeling reading something you've written yourself. Especially if it's something you wrote a long time ago and can hardly remember doing it. I have been writing since I was 9 years old and through the years I have come across old stuff that I have to rely on the handwriting as proof that it's actually my own stuff. I don't even recall thinking about it, let alone writing it. But that's just part of the fun.

Tonight I have the wonderful task of re-writing and adding a sub-plot to my first full length novel. I started it last summer and finished the first draft pretty quickly. Unfortunately, it's not exactly the kind of book I'd like to be writing but honestly, I just can't help it. Frankly I was worried that I would never be able to write the kind of novels I like myself: sci fi, fantasy, thrillers, weird science, etc. Instead I'd always be stuck with writing some chic lit that I'd never read myself.

I discussed this with a friend who has some experience and he suggested that some stories you just have to tell and get out of the way so that you can start to write what you want. It makes sense and as soon as I stopped worrying about this and just started allowing whatever wants to come out to flow, I've been feeling a lot better.

So, a lot of chic lit editing this weekend and in addition - whatever I want :-)