There are many, many things to think about when revising a novel. When you read back over that first draft, you might spot any of the following that need attention:

• voice
• character arc
• continuity
• memories/flashbacks to insert
• scenes to add/remove/tighten
• relationship arcs
• themes to strengthen (or give a lighter touch)
• language
• setting/description
• plot structure

Need I go on. But, dear writers who are anything like me, remember these two important rules before tackling that rewrite:

1. You can only work on one thing at a time.
2. You finished the book, so whenever needed–celebrate!

Okay, not sure if the last is a rule—but I did finish the Peru book. So far, its temporary titles include “Peru story,” “Peru book,” “Luciana’s Story,” and “Luciana Unlimited.” None of them really work. My husband and dear first-draft reader promised to come up with a better one for me.

Back to the rewrite….

Cheryl

I know, I know—I’ve been MIA on the blog front. That’s because I’ve given myself an ultimatum: I’m not allowed to do anything but WRITE until I finish my WIP (the Peru book), which I expected to finish two weeks ago.

Yes, that was an unrealistic expectation, in retrospect, since that would have had me finishing during Spring Break week. But I thought *surely* I would finish *last* week—not taking into account the plethora of school- and kid-related meetings we had scheduled. I also didn’t take into account the fact that I would be replotting the entire ending sequence of events. I guess that one was because I didn’t expect to replot, but there you have it.

Why do stories defy our best attempts at prediction?

Anyhow, I have a new direction and three chapters to write and, theoretically, the time to write them. Here’s the word count report for March and the start of April:

3/1 – 3/7 7730 words

3/8 – 3/14 8320 words

3/15 – 3/21 1540 words

3/22 – 3/28 3070 words

3/29 – 4/4 2360 words

I didn’t meet my word count goals the past few weeks, but I’m determined to plow through to the end this week. Go, go, go!!!

Happy writing to everyone

Cheryl