Rewriting

I am going to do something I have never done before.

I am going to rewrite a book from scratch.

Okay, 'scratch' may be a little harsh... but I am going to open a Word document, completely blank, and I am going to start retelling the story that managed to get so mangled the first time out of the gate. I imagine I will be able to keep great big chunks of the original manuscript, but I've realized -- while bashing my head against a wall over and over -- this story doesn't work the way I've told it. The problems are too big, too all-encompassing. It needs a rehaul. And a rehaul means starting from the beginning, and not being too fixated on working with everything the way it stands right now. Because right now isn't working. Right now may have salvageable parts (I hope to God it does!) but... but.

I have heard of writers for whom this write-scrap-rewrite business is de rigeur. I just never thought I'd be one of them.

I Wish I Had More to Say...

But I don't. I'm in a bit of a holding position right now. I'm working more slowly than I'd like, but still making progress. May is a month for visitors here, and visitors mean a break from routine. (Not a bad break from routine, but a break nonetheless.)

I've been staring out the window for five minutes, and have thought of nothing to say except: "It's raining outside."

Probably this means I should cut my losses now, take a shower, get myself together, and write more when I have something cogent and interesting to say.