20: Revision 1,000,000

Actually, it’s only my fourth.

I’ve heard that some writers love the revising process. I don’t get those weirdos. For me, the revising process is really monotonous. It’s also frustrating—I was certain I had filled in most of the redundancies and missing pieces. I was way wrong.

Today I have reread and revised 34 pages of my manuscript. I am currently on page 148. The manuscript is 212 pages long. I feel happy with the bite I took out of the ole binder, but I still have quite a ways to go. Worse, I’m finding more plot concerns as I’m moving towards the end. It appears that this author likes to repeat himself.

I am thankful for the summer break—times during the school year when I can sit for two plus hours writing are few and far between. I admire those writers who take the plunge and make their craft a full-time job. Right now writing for me is a hobby and a goal, and both are fed by my desire to grow in my craft. I heard on a podcast about mindfulness that desiring to become better at something can be very healthy…if we don’t become overly frustrated with our progress.

Well, there ya go. Perhaps a mindshift is needed. I still believe in the monotony of revision; however, I’ll keep an open mind about my feelings towards the process. As a very wise sage mentioned to me (and I’m paraphrasing because my memory is weak), each completed revision is a celebration.