A
new term begins!
Last Thursday, all of us would-be
writers duly reassembled at the London
FE College where, during term-time, we
receive weekly advice and encouragement
from each other - and from our tutor.
It was a little like going back to
school; I had actually acquired a new
satchel and pencil case. More to
the point, I had also finished the next
chapter of my on-going crime novel -
just as well, as I'd undertaken to read
something to this first meeting of the
class. Even just three days before
the class met, I'd thought that I'd be
reading something else. A short
story had evolved from the
"back-story" of a character
whom I'd recently introduced into the
novel. For quite some time, I'd thought that I would
read this short story, because the latest chapter of
the novel wasn't quite ready.
However, this wouldn't have been a happy
ending.
Why not?
Because the
short story is just a by-product, a
diversion. Any comments on that
would have been useful, but only to the
extent that they might have been
applicable to my writing in
general. The feedback that I really
wanted and needed was on my book,
because that is the piece of work that
really matters to me.
With the class date approaching, the
latest chapter was knocked into shape
with a day to spare.
The effort was worthwhile and the
feedback was positive (thank goodness)
and helpful. As usual, one of the
most heartfelt pieces of advice was
this: don't start to tinker with odd
scenes in what you've already
written.
Why so? You'll only lose momentum -
plus, you'll probably need to change
those scenes again later anyway!
Leave the editing till you've finished
the entire first draft.
So now
it's on to Chapter 8!
© David
Gray
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