When to Revise, When to Relent

I know. I said no more rewrites of Book 1. I promised I would go on with the rest of the series.

And if this series is no good — then let it be. Start something new.

But I’m not rewriting for the sake of rewriting. Or just because I’m depressed my full was returned with a polite “it’s not there yet.” Well, okay maybe it is in response to the agent’s commens on the full, and to the advice I garnered from the Secret Agent Contest, and from meditating on High Concept. If I didn’t have respect for those two agents, I wouldn’t take their advice, but I do respect their opinion, so I’m taking a hard look at my story.

Mostly, however, it’s because I have a great idea how the book can be improved which is still in keeping with my original vision for the story. In fact, I think it captures the heart and soul of the story even better.

Yet, I am still trying to rewrite cautiously. There’s always the temptation to rewrite to the point one is writing an entire new book — in which case, why not just write an entire new book? I will never be completely satified with my book, because it will never be perfect. I have to relent eventually, and just let it be complete rather than perfect.

I’m still excited about the changes I’ve made. *grin*