Caroline Starr Rose

picture book and middle-grade author

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Revision: Imagery and Depth

9 Comments

I love revision. It’s the time I get look at a story as a whole but also work on small details to strengthen it thoughout. Here are more revision ideas from Darcy Pattison’s Novel Metamorphosis: Uncommon Ways to Revise:

“Depth is an unconscious search for patterns…the sum of the parts adds up to something more.“
What are some ways you can add depth to your story?

Darcy suggests identifying “themes, ideas, objects, dialogue, or other elements you want to reinforce” in your story. Look for patterns of repition that already might be there and intentionally build upon them. For example, in my story about a girls’ club, the first scene involves a box meant to represent the story’s central friendship. This is reinforced in the last scene, where the protagonist realizes friendship is something that can’t be packed away. Though a box is not mentioned directly, the image is there, showing the progression the protagonist expereinces.

At Darcy’s revision retreat, I realized I had some ideas I’d never fully developed. In several places in the story, I’d created glimpses of plants and music, hoping to hint at the idea that true friendship cannot be forced or protected (box) but must be given room to grow (plant) and develop (music). It wasn’t really working. My critique partner helped me find spots here and there where I could progressively build on these ideas:
                 
  A plant in the clubhouse that is alternately watered and forgotten
  Adding a scene at the protagonist’s piano recital

Just adding a few lines in several parts of the story has strengthened the ideas I’m trying to reinforce.

What repetition or images are you consciously or unconsciously using? How can you develop them further?

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Filed Under: the writing life

Comments

  1. Amber Hamilton says

    October 6, 2009 at 2:14 pm

    I love revision, too. I get leary about sending out a project I’m working on, instead I tend to revise it to death.

    Reply
  2. Amber Hamilton says

    October 6, 2009 at 2:15 pm

    And, If I knew how to revise my last comment, I’d change the comma in the last line to either a semicolon or a period.

    Reply
  3. Frankie Diane Mallis says

    October 6, 2009 at 2:59 pm

    Ooooh great post!! I’m just startting to see this in my revision but I was unconscious of it for a long time. Right now I’m repeating some dialogue-but kind of inverting it. Need to look for those images though:)

    Reply
  4. Tamika: says

    October 6, 2009 at 3:34 pm

    Caroline, this book sounds like a “Must Read.” I will add it to my list.

    I have not begun any extensive revisions, but just glancing back at some of my chapters I see things that I would like to deepen already.

    Thanks for a wonderful post!

    Reply
  5. Dawn VanderMeer says

    October 6, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    I’m working on revisions, and my WIP has some plant symbolism going on too!

    I like your attitude on revision. It can be hard, unraveling and then weaving things together again, but it really is something positive. We have the clay on the wheel already, and just need to shape it.

    Reply
  6. Caroline Starr Rose says

    October 6, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    First drafts actually intimidate me.

    Reply
  7. steadymom says

    October 6, 2009 at 7:22 pm

    First drafts – blah.

    Revision – fun!

    Jamie

    Reply
  8. L. W. says

    October 9, 2009 at 3:26 am

    Hi. I found your blog via Casey McCormick’s. This is a revision technique that is totally new to me, and I’m pretty excited to go search for patterns now. Thanks.
    Lori

    Reply
  9. Caroline Starr Rose says

    October 9, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    Lori,
    Thanks for stopping by! I love finding things I might not have noticed the first few times around that can connect/be developed into significant images or ideas.

    Reply

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