Deadheading

I have a favorite flower that grows in my garden. I don't know the name, but the attached picture is from my backyard. I first bought this plant two years ago at our local farmer's market and bought a companion one this year. It reminds me of antique wedding dresses or table cloths. I don't know why, but every time I look at it, I get a wave of nostalgia. Probably a former life thing.

It grows kind of haphazardly, twisting and twining through my daisies and bluebells. It bloomed in mid-june and for the first time, I deadheaded it. Guess what? It's blooming again, now in mid-August.

I'm starting to think of editing as deadheading. Sometimes you have to cut something, but what grows in its place is richer for the trim.

I edit as I write and I write linear. I can't go onto chapter 21 when chapter 18 isn't working. But when I get done, I have a reasonably clean book to start subbing. This past weekend I was fortunate enough to attend the Willamette Writer's Conference. One of the workshops I dropped in on was Halle Ephron's revision one. I only stayed long enough to know we are in no way compatable in our writing styles.

For me, the editing as I go works. I had to deadhead chapter 18 and 19 because I tried to change my character instead of just letting him be Bix. Once I sat down and rewrote them, the twenties fell into line--starting chapter 27 afterI finish writing this blog. Had I not fixed the problem then, I'd either be stuck or rewriting the twenties as well.

Love to hear your thoughts about deadheading, editing, or just about anything.

Conference update: I got two requests for fulls from agents. So, now I am madly writing to actually finish said book. I discovered Robert Dugoni, legal thriller author. If you ever have a chance to hear him speak, run don't walk. He's an inspiration and not bad on the eyes, either. Bix count:41,250 words. I figure another 100 pages and I'll be close to mailing him off.