Revision.

For my current work in progress, I thought revision would be simple because I did all of those things that I learned I was supposed to do. I plotted the entire story step by step.   I made a graph, in color!  I even made a tension line.  The turning point was all set and ready to go.  My character experienced change.  It all seemed so simple and so organized.

Sigh…

The problem is that I’ve changed my mind. I’m now ripping it apart and rebuilding the entire thing, piece by piece.

Ever wonder what it feels like? Revision?

It’s kind of like getting in the car in Maine, driving to Kansas City, then turning around to pop into New York City to pick a friend during rush hour because you can’t go west without her.  You get to Pennsylvania and realize that you forgot your underwear.  So, you swing by the mall buy some (it’s not too far out of your way!).  Then, while driving through Kansas you have all kinds of time to think about things you should have brought with you (there is plenty of time to think in Kansas! So you get your mom to send all that stuff to you).  Then you realize that you picked up bed begs around Sioux City and you need to exterminate the infested car because really you’ve gone too far.

Soon you don’t care what you look like because you’ve been on the road for a couple of weeks. What’s hygiene anyways if you never see a soul you know.  Heck, who cares what socks you wear.

Your diet has slowly gone down hill and because are just living on roadside fuel.

And it’s all somehow so delicious that you are not sure where your journey is going to end, but you are kind of enjoying the ride.

Yup, that’s revision.  What’s it like for you?