Harvesting the Gems.
For me, the revision process for a novel is a lot like harvesting. Plowing through rows of dense prose to find the ripe phrase, lush imagery, and fresh sentence buried beneath so much manure.
Each passing lifts away a fallow, useless bit to wither and delete, leaving behind the small, sparkling gems that were always there, but needed pruning. As the perfect words, phrases, and scenes settle onto the page, it's as satisfying and refreshing as a day spent outdoors. Breezy, sun-filled and clear; newly dusted off with all the dead debris removed. Now visible in all its splendor.
Like a crisp, juicy apple nourishes the body, my aim is to harvest the prose that nourishes the soul.
Each passing lifts away a fallow, useless bit to wither and delete, leaving behind the small, sparkling gems that were always there, but needed pruning. As the perfect words, phrases, and scenes settle onto the page, it's as satisfying and refreshing as a day spent outdoors. Breezy, sun-filled and clear; newly dusted off with all the dead debris removed. Now visible in all its splendor.
Like a crisp, juicy apple nourishes the body, my aim is to harvest the prose that nourishes the soul.
Lovely.
ReplyDeletePruning can be the most important part. Beautiful, Darlene.
ReplyDeleteBoth of you ladies are very good at harvesting gems...thanks for commenting.
ReplyDelete