Me: I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I never seem to get anywhere with my writing.
Doctor: Why is that?
Me: Millions of reasons. Primarily, every time I open my document, I end up fixing or deleting what I’ve already done.
Doctor: Why do you do that?
Me: I want it to be perfect now. Who wants to have to fix later?
Doctor: I’m asking the questions. I’m the doctor after all.
Me: Sorry.
Doctor: Don’t worry about it. I get it a lot. So you are telling me that you just keep rewriting the same things over and over trying to make them perfect.
Me: *nods*
Doctor: Well, I’m sorry to say this, Amber Lynae, but you’ve got a bad case of the rewrites. One of the worst cases I’ve seen in a long time.
Me: I’m doomed. DOOMED I TELL YOU!
Doctor: *Rolls eyes* Writers are so dramatic. You are not doomed. Take a prescription of 50,000 Words in 50 days. I will see how you are doing when your prescription runs out.
Me: Thanks, Doc. You may have just saved my career.
Have you ever had a bad case of the rewrites?
Ha, ha! Are you kidding? I actually blogged about this just a few weeks ago--found one of the most inspiring quotes from a great screenwriter. I hope no one will mind if I share...
ReplyDeletehttp://crystalcollier.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-recently-participated-in-facebook.html
ah, the itch to fix. I get it all the time. I tell myself - back away from the keyboard & promise myself I can fix it - LATER! say when I'm done with the first draft.
ReplyDeleteI'm plagued with it. Every time I sit down at my computer I have to read at least a couple chapters back to get into the characters and spend most of my time fixing those chapters instead of writing more. It's a freaking epidemic, I'm telling you.
ReplyDeleteIt was like I was sitting on that couch with you sharing my difficulties with the good doctor!
ReplyDeleteI think I shall try his prescription (at least so far as time allows).
I am slowly crawling out of this illness's hold on me. Now I only read a few paragraphs at most, just to get me in the same spot, writing wise, as I was before. Then I might tweek a sentence or two, if there are glaring errors. Then I move on...but boy, is it hard!!! Great prescription, by the way! I'm going to have to try that!
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to know I'm not the only one stuck in this trap. The challenge really has helped me a lot.
ReplyDelete