Writing Excuses
15.04: Revision, with Patrick Rothfuss
Jan 26, 2020
Patrick Rothfuss, bestselling author of the Kingkiller Chronicle, joins the hosts to explore the art of revision. He shares techniques for gaining perspective on drafts and emphasizes the importance of identifying weaknesses. The conversation dives into the balance between narrative structure and emotional engagement. They discuss maintaining character dynamics and the role of tension in storytelling. Rothfuss also offers practical strategies for condensing text and enhancing clarity, essential tools for any writer looking to refine their craft.
29:06
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Writers should monitor their emotional responses to drafts, as feelings of confusion or boredom highlight necessary revisions.
- Creating distance from a manuscript enhances objectivity, allowing for clearer evaluation and effective structural breakdown of scenes.
Deep dives
Identifying Revision Needs Through Reader Reactions
Understanding which parts of a manuscript require revision often hinges on the writer's emotional responses to their own work. Writers should pay attention to feelings of boredom, confusion, or disbelief while reading their drafts, as these reactions can indicate areas that need improvement. For instance, if a writer feels confused by certain passages, it may signal an issue with the order of information presented. Likewise, scenes that fail to create an emotional response may indicate pacing problems or a lack of engaging content that needs either tightening or unpacking.
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