Notes to Self about Rewrites

I'm settling in to another week of rewrites and trying to keep things fun! I have to remind myself I’m writing a comedy! I can't let my sense of the grindstone beat down the work! So this is my little cheerleading note to myself. And if you happen to also be in rewrites, maybe it will help you too!

1. Stay comic if you're writing comedy, tragic if you're writing tragedy! This doesn't mean everything about your life should stay in one mode - how could it? But certainly I try to ground myself in tone. I find it easier to go dark than light, but if I'm writing light, I've gotta stay up there with the light. Whatever keeps me up there becomes my go-to fun thing. It could be watching silly animal videos or pratfalls. It can also mean singing or talking the piece out loud as if it raps! Whatever helps!

My dog helps because she is always happy and will always get me to lighten up. My ukulele helps because there are no dirges on a uke... Yes, I play in between scenes, or sometimes sing the scenes to myself to keep the humor up in the air. I also like to squeeze my dog's Mr. Bill doll just to hear him say, O No!

2. A revision is only as good as you are. You have to feed yourself, be kind to yourself, get up and shake yourself when you start going pins and needles... Get outside for a walk! Keep the oxygen flowing! And set limits, stay hydrated, and get your rest!

3. Hold the reins loosely. No sense in revising if you can't let go of old material. No sense in revising if you're not ready to reimagine what the scene or story could be! I try to imagine the best version of the scene, the most exciting scene I'd write if I could do anything I want. I ask myself, what would be better than this?

The answer is usually: writing in Brave Space! I hope you'll join me!