Rewriting (a story whose ending may not please you)

[mrissa]

One of the things that has been on my perpetual to-do list for months now is a requested rewrite on a short story. Normally revision requests get my attention right away when they come from people with money and an audience and an inclination to share both with me -- the last one was I think a three hour turnaround -- but this was a much broader and more general revision request. It was basically a request for a story kind of like the one I'd submitted, but longer and with larger scope and more attention to the things I already thought were the most interesting parts of the story.

So in that sense it was the best rewrite request ever: give us more of this (and we'll pay you more, because we pay by the word), and focus more on the things you like best! Also have it be for a story related to (but not dependent upon) two novels you've written!

But it has not been easy. Surprise: the good things in this business are not always the easiest things? How astonishing! And how unlike any other business, where everything worthwhile falls like rain!

One of the things that has happened since I wrote this story is that I got much better, more obscure source material. This is an historical fantasy, and while it's a tiny obscure little corner of history, one that's not likely to make most people say, "Wait, but wasn't there a fourth brother who wound up a photographer in England?", I'll know. Also, I think the new source material allows for an entirely new plot, one which is similar to the old plot but has some of the melodramatic aspects of it surgically removed. (This is just a side benefit. The fact that I'll know was going to be enough to make this part worth redoing.) And hey, the second brother, who wasn't a photographer in London: guess where he goes at the end, in actual recorded history?

Helsinki. No, really. It's not that I couldn't make this stuff up, because of course I could -- I do, all the time. It's just that I don't have to. People can look this bit up after they've finished reading this part of the story and say, "oh, huh, guess it wasn't just her obsessing on Finland again after all." He really was a Helsinki-dwelling student of stamps and their history. This should help the new plot a lot. I think I know how to do the whole rewrite now.

Yes, that's right: it's one of those rare times when philately will get me everywhere.

(Of course I couldn't resist, because the pun is quite literally true! And the flesh is weak, and the spirit is really not all that willing in the restraint-from-puns direction. Really, you wouldn't have resisted. I feel sure.)

Comments

[desperance.livejournal.com]

So who's askin', secretive one? Where's it going to be published?

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I have no idea where it's going to be published, as the rewrite isn't finished, much less submitted, much less accepted. I have e-mailed you, though.

[profrobert.livejournal.com]

See, this is why I can't write fiction. If I told stories from my life as fiction (a la Thomas Wolfe), no one would believe them. As a corollary, anything I actually make up sounds lame in comparison to what I and people I know have actually experienced. Thus, I stick with essays and telling real stories (particularly on behalf of paying clients).

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I think skill in writing fiction is telling stories that are differently interesting than actual-life events, mostly, but some memoirists with gifts in fiction may prove me wrong.

[profrobert.livejournal.com]

Oh, I agree. My point was simply I lack that skill. I love reading fiction, so I'm very glad others have it!

[columbina.livejournal.com]

You're right. I would not have resisted.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

Of course you wouldn't, you of all people. I mean, one or two people on the f'list might have, but I knew you weren't among them.

[fmsv.livejournal.com]

I know I wouldn't have resisted, because I have used that pun on occasion.

[aet.livejournal.com]

"it's one of those rare times when philately will get me everywhere"

I, personally, can resist philately*, but less so phillumeny. Phillumeny would surely set me up to LONG storytelling about history, images, slogans and sad fate of matchbox factories ...
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* in theory. As in practice one can play a princess on the pea kind of stories especially with the current fad of self-designed stamps the postal services over the world seem to peddle.

(PS I recently saw a man in front of me finding 5 crowns and instantly understood that for a story teller that version would be a much better reality check than finding the fiver)

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

It spreads worldwide!