writing wednesdays: brainstorming vs drafting vs. revisions

Most writers will tell you they either like the initial writing phase or the revision stage. I've yet to come across someone who says they love all of it.

Me: I like the initial brainstorming part when the ideas are still fresh and anything is possible. This is the period when I protect the story like a newborn. I'll read novels with similar concepts or research books and noodle plot threads. I'll troll Pinterest for pictures of locations and objects (never people though but that's another post). I love the possibility of the story at this stage.  

In my ideal writer world, though, I'd then be able to fast forward to revisions. Don't get me wrong, I love the act of writing. It never ceases to amaze me that I have these stories inside me. There are few things as rewarding as finding those perfect words to bring to life something or someone that only existed in my mind. 

But revisions, ahhhhh ... that's where the magic happens. That's when details pop out that I hadn't thought about before or another plot thread reveals itself. With each subsequent pass, the story becomes more nuanced. 

Sure, there are times I can't stand the idea of doing ONE. MORE. PASS. That's when -- time permitting -- I'll step away from the manuscript for a few days. And always, ALWAYS when I come back, I find another surprise that excites me.

On days like today, when I'm deep in revision number I-lost-count-three-revisions-ago and all I want to do is give up and move on, I take a few minutes to re-read some of the edits I've already completed. It's like that stolen moment or look with a loved one, the kind that reminds you why you fell in love with them in the first place. 

---