So, many of you know by now that I’ve been working on writing a memoir for approximately four years (!!!). Lord willing, it will release on April 1st — less than six months from now.
I laugh at myself now over all the ways I’ve labeled the various drafts of this project: “Final.” “Final Final.” “FINAL DRAFT.” “Final – Revised.” “Final – Updated.”
Yep. This manuscript and I have many memories together. (Notice I didn’t include the adjective, fond.)
I should add, though, that I have had some incredible editors along the way — and when I say incredible, I mean incredible. Their expertise and gracious support has made all the difference, and I’m so very grateful.
Having said that, revisions are no fun. Necessary? Yes. Fun? Notsomuch.
But over the past four years, God has used those months (yes, months) of revisions for my good. He’s used them to humble me and grow me.
It’s one thing to have an editor suggest improvements on your writing in general — but when it’s memoir it takes on a whole new level. It can feel, at times, as if the critique is on the validity of your own memories. It can feel like a critique on your life.
But I’ve learned the important things to remember in those moments are:
1) God is at work, refining and molding me;
2) He values and loves me for who I am, not what I produce or don’t produce;
3) It’s important and necessary during edits to remove yourself from your story, to view it as objectively as possible in order to give future readers the best experience possible.
What helps you during your revision process?
This post is Day 24 of the series 31 Days in the Life of a Christian Writer.
It was written in five minutes flat as part of the 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Challenge.Â
See more posts in this series here.Â
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Thanks for this, Kate!
I remember a teacher once telling my class to think of revision as re-envisioning, and I’ve found that to be so helpful when considering the revision process. I think in the past I’ve felt like I made a mistake or I’d done the writing incorrectly so thus I had to make revisions. But I think with this idea of re-envisioning, I try to think of what I’ve done in the past as perhaps the initial building blocks to help get this piece to where it will ultimately go.
Another thought I sometimes try to keep close during the revision process is the reality that writing often happens in solitude. The act of receiving feedback from others and ideas for revision feels so communal in contrast to how writing can sometimes feel lonely.
Those insights are so helpful, Patrice! Thank you for sharing!