Revisions are like smoothing a road. You've hacked through the jungle, cleared the space. You pound down the big lumps, spread the gravel, try driving over it. Still bumpy in places. Go back, keep smoothing, pounding down those bumps you didn't notice the first time. Repeat, repeat, repeat until you're cross-eyed.
The goal is that people will one day drive comfortably here. They'll be able to relish the scenery, without even thinking about the road. It should never occur to them how much effort it took to smooth it, how many years the process took off your life. They should not have to consider how you worked with that shovel until your hands were bleeding, operated that pounding machine until your brain was vibrating in your skull.
They get to enjoy the journey. And that's the point.
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Excellent analogy. Readers don't think of the sweat and tears that went into a book - and that's good. If they begin to notice the mechanics and work, then they're taken out of the story. More often than not a beautifully written book is not a beautifully written book - it's a beautifully re-written book.
ReplyDeleteHelen
Straight From Hel