Comments on: Embracing the Major Rewrite

By: Sam Tonge

Sam Tonge — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 21:21:15 +0000

In reply to carol warham. Aw, thanks for the kind words, Carol. A writing career certainly has its ups and downs, that's for sure, and I take comfort too from knowing that other authors face the same challenges - and come out the other side!

By: carol warham

carol warham — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 20:15:05 +0000

A great post Sam with great advice. It’s heartening to us newbie authors to realise this can happen to anyone, even an excellent author like you

By: Sam Tonge

Sam Tonge — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 12:57:59 +0000

In reply to Sherry Gloag.

Best of luck, Sherry, and if your characters are calling then I’m sure there is a story there that needs to be told. Criticism never gets easier to take, I find, but at least now I know how I have to deal with it – take a break. Lick my wounds and then deep breaths… All the best 🙂

By: Sam Tonge

Sam Tonge — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 12:56:04 +0000

In reply to Jill Mansell. Good luck, Jill, I am sure you'll smash it - just take a lie down first!

By: Sam Tonge

Sam Tonge — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 12:55:35 +0000

In reply to Rae. Thanks for the confidence, Rae :)

By: Sherry Gloag

Sherry Gloag — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 10:33:05 +0000

Thank you for sharing your experience. It is nice to know you’re not alone in this. I have a story that a beta reader ‘destroyed’ with her comments. I put/buried it away for years. Recently it has been ‘calling’ to me. Your post have given me that final incentive to have another go and trust my characters are ready to have another go at their story, so, thank you.

By: Jill Mansell

Jill Mansell — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 10:03:49 +0000

Just reading your blog post made me feel sick with fear! Suspect I may soon have to do the same, so I hope I can manage it with as much enthusiasm as you!

By: Rae

Rae — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 20:22:11 +0000

Such a useful post, Sam. So helpful to know that even experienced writers sometimes require to undertake a major structural edit. Good luck with those changes. You can do it! : )

By: Sam Tonge

Sam Tonge — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 14:03:45 +0000

In reply to Jo Lambert.

I think you’re spot on, Jo. Sometimes you just have to start over or move on. It’s painful but in a way it hurts more to keep trying and trying down one road,just not getting anywhere.
Yes, no one ever warned me the day would never come when I knew it all!!
Thanks for popping by.

By: Jo Lambert

Jo Lambert — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 13:13:06 +0000

I’m glad I’m not the only one Sam. From experience I think I’ve learnt that if something isn’t working then it’s not meant to be. In my early writing days I spent so much time agonising over sections that for whatever reason weren’t right. I’d spend precious moments trying to restructure or add to the section, only to find it still didn’t work Sometimes being brutal is the only way. I think no matter how many books we write we’re always learning something…