Writing Excuses
19.05: LIVE Recording - Revisions with Mahtab Narsimhan
Feb 4, 2024
Mahtab Narsimhan, an author and host from past seasons, joins the hosts to discuss revisions in writing. They talk about the difference between revising and rewriting, favorite techniques, and tips for making revisions more manageable. They also share tools and techniques for diving into revision, including using a Trello board and analyzing the purpose of each scene. Different revision approaches and the use of templates are explored, with listeners encouraged to revise their first chapter using a template and share their success stories.
20:08
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Quick takeaways
- Distill the entire story into chapters, scenes, plot points, point of view, setting, and timeline for a clearer and more efficient revision process.
- Create a revision template outlining plots, chapters, point of view, and use tools like spreadsheets or Trello boards to track progress, identify redundancies, and ensure coherence in the narrative.
Deep dives
Revision as a Mindset and Process
Revision is a mindset that involves telling the story to the readers and fixing any holes or gaps in the narrative. While some writers love the rush of writing a first draft, the real work begins during revisions. It is essential to distill the entire story into chapters, scenes, plot points, point of view, setting, and timeline. By focusing on these factors, distractions like dialogue or descriptions can be eliminated, allowing for a clearer and more efficient revision process. Each scene should have a purpose, and the emotional core of each chapter should be carefully considered to keep readers engaged.
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