I've reached the point in my manuscript (about a third of the way through) where I've realized that rewriting it is actually EASIER than revising it -- and that there's a difference between them.
Let me explain.
A rewrite means you are basically starting a new document and writing the chapter over again. After you finish it, you can of course refer to the old version and insert the stuff that worked, but the process is basically like drafting.
A revision means you're reworking the old version and using feedback to make the existing text better. The chapter's essence remains mostly in tact.
I had set out to finish Act 2A in about 10 days (a fairly short turnaround for about 12 scenes) because most of this chunk entailed revising. But I hit a snag last weekend (my set deadline) and realized my story's timeline didn't make sense as I'd initially outlined/thought. I spent the past week corresponding with Kathleen to reconsider the plot points. I now have a plan, but this chunk of the manuscript -- most of which is still revising (not rewriting) -- has been complicated and difficult and time-consuming.
What I mean to say (and in fewer words) is that after this bit of revising, I plan to just rewrite the rest of this thing. It feels easier to just put words on a new page -- maybe even more freeing! -- instead of figuring out how to improve something that already exists.
I'm a little behind on my schedule, but I guess with the Thanksgiving weekend (that was spent with family and friends) AND the end of the term for work (I'm an English professor), I should've anticipated not having the time I thought I would. Fortunately, I still have 8 more weeks of Pitch Wars left to whip this book into shape! I'll be traveling to the mainland for three weeks during the holidays, but *hope* to have time on the road to write -- as well as some additional weeks off work to focus entirely on this rewrite/revision!
'Til next week, happy writing!
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