I haven't posted since mid-May. Wow. Time flies. Let's see if I can remember how to do this.
Back when Geocities was futuristic and AOL was the only internet most Americans knew of, Alex J Cavanaugh dreamed of giving writers across the globe access to therapy. It took a while for technology to catch up with his vision, but now, nearly a century later, here we are.
I watched that movie with Tom Cruise a few weeks ago. The one that's half Groundhog Day and half Saving Private Ryan and half Halo (the video game) and it made me dream of having that do over button that the movie explored so well.
I mean, the do over button is getting killed, so it's not easy, and there's that interpretation of quantum theory that states that we're all immortal (don't ask, it's weird). So it occurs to me that I actually have do over button. I write down words. Those words suck. I get to delete them and try again. And keep writing and deleting and writing those words until I get them right.
It's like I've actually invented time-travel. So, the conundrum: How do you know when you've accomplished the mission? As time has gone on, that has increasingly become my dilemma. I've become stuck in a cycle of writing and rewriting, much like Tom Cruise, and Bill Murray before him.
I'm trapped.
Happy IWSG day, guys.
22 comments:
And now the vision is real!
When you start changing things back to the way they were in the first draft, you know you're done.
And Edge of Tomorrow was a cool flick, wasn't it?
That post is giving me deja vu. Maybe I already read it before...and before...and before.
It does seem never-ending. A little tweak here, a plot change there. There's always something.
It may be like the movies. When they began, the characters weren't that likable. When you get to the point that you like your writing because it's strong and not full of itself (referencing Tom and Bill's characters), then you might be able to let it move on.
I would say that you know you're done when you start undoing your last round of changes because you realize it was actually better before.
Er. I don't think the mission is ever accomplished. A person can quit but that isn't 'accomplished'.
Hey, a fellow time-travel trapped compatriot. Nice to meet ya. Yeah, writing and re-writing. This is my life.
So was that movie any good? That's what I want to know.
I'm going to start calling you Tolkien. I need to get back on some editing so I can be your Lewis.
Yes, when I start changing things back to what they were... or deleting commas and putting them back and nothing else.
Respawning isn't any fun if you keep falling off the same cliff.
Just move to the right or left a little, and you might find your footing.(yes I got nothing)
Just don't throw a toaster in your bathwater.
For me, editing really is like Groudhog Day after awhile. I keep reading the same damn thing over and over again, and I don't seem to be getting anywhere.
So that's what the delete button is. Never thought of it that way :) I'm still looking for the "easy" button at Staples. Closest I've come is a "bull shit" button.
Might be the same thing.
You could probably spend forever writing and rewriting since nothing is perfect Rusty. Just watch out for the alien Mimics I guess.
Ha, ha! Comments from critique group members/beta readers that changes need to be made and a nagging feeling that this scene or that scene still needs work. BUT, in the absence of those, and if you've already edited your book ten times or more, and then had it line edited for grammar, it might be time to let it go!
I didn't see Tom's newest movie though I knew the plot. Critique partners help you stop using the do over button. They can tell you when it's right.
The Groundhog Day genre of movies is interesting, isn't it? I worry that it might be over-done after like.. one more.. though.
The delete key is a magical thing! I use mine liberally, especially when writing difficult emails at work. Haha
Visiting from IWSG,
~AJ from Naturally Sweet
I think at some point you have to say "It's done." If you're not willing to do that, say "It's done for now," and let it sit for a period of time. Tell yourself "I won't look at this for 30 days," and then stick to it.
Writing the conclusion is the hardest for me. I think I procrastinate so much that the conclusion usually takes as much time as the entire manuscript did all the way up to the conclusion.
Greetings time traveler. I'm here per the lovely push of Karen Jones Gowen in her recent blog post. She says you have "voice" and I must agree. You also have humor and a bit of an edge. Two talents dear to my heart. I'll be back but I have no idea when or what time.
I was just going to ask, a Tom Cruise movie on time travel? What was it and why haven't I seen it, then Alex answered the question in his comment. Turns out I did see it. A nice change for Tom Cruise to do sci fi. Rusty, I mentioned your blog in my recent post, if you want to come check it out!
I have the same problem..too much rewriting. I think it's because I don't want to settle for something less than it could be. But then it takes me a long time to finish anything.
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