Jumping Out, Jumping In
Surviving a hiatus—and three tips for reengaging with your story after time away
I returned to revising my novel this week after several weeks off.
The nearly month-long break, while not as extended as some I’ve taken, was both intentional and necessary as I moved from my home of more than 30 years to a temporary rental in a new city.
The editing process continued. Just not on paper.
Rather than editing my novel, I was editing my life.
An old pair of jeans that no longer fits? Cut it.
Too many Tupperware containers? Relegate to recycling.
Mishmash in the closet? Rearrange to reveal what’s there.
Kitchenware mixed up with linens and garden tools? Group like with like to simplify.
It began to sound a lot like:
Extraneous scene that adds nothing? Cut it.
Too many characters? Relegate to recycling.
The mishmash that is Chapter Six? Rearrange to reveal what’s there.
Character A’s story mixed up with B’s and C’s? Group like with like to simplify.
I’ve been here before, I thought, and I know what to do.
Let structure emerge from chaos.
For weeks before my complete hiatus, I clung to the modest goal of engaging with the book every day.
Sometimes that meant a half hour of editing. Sometimes it meant reading a few lines or a paragraph. Sometimes it meant simply opening the Scrivener file. The intention was to keep enough of a connection to avoid the inevitable disorientation that comes from trying to re-immerse in a project after significant time away.
Unfortunately, my definition of “significant” has morphed.
Once upon a time, I could have jumped right back in after months away. Now, after merely weeks, I found myself forgetful about what needed to be done, confused about where I left off, and even befuddled about what parts of the story I had decided to preserve and which to jettison.
To be fair, the revision I undertook last fall with Josh Mohr was significant. I had made it through only two thirds of the book. I can forgive myself for not remembering what details I left in or what plotlines I chose to pursue or abandon in this draft.
Somehow, I would have to find a way back.
Since much of this revision focuses on plot, I had to devise a way to ensure that each scene would lead inevitably to the following one—a weakness of mine, and one I wanted to address during revision. Last fall, I created what I call a causal outline—basically, an outline that explicitly ties each action to the next.
Instead of simply stating each plot point, I used language that forced causality, beginning each point with because and attempting to ensure that the next event would follow logically.
But how to reorient myself?
I would have to go back to the beginning. Back to Chapter One, Scene One, to revisit the causal outline and skim the chapters.
Ugh. What a waste of time.
I decided to give myself the gift of grace. I would step lightly into the world of the book without expecting progress or accomplishment. I would engage in the slow dance of reacquaintance, a kind of lovemaking focused not merely on outcome, but on the delicious journey.
This felt doable.
From the grace, momentum emerged.
By Wednesday, a plan took shape. I would revisit each scene briefly to remind myself of it and trace its journey. By Thursday, I recognized that while reengaging in this way, I could work on another problematic element: untangling the book’s complicated timeline.
Now, at week’s end, I dance with abandon.
I don't know how long this re-entry phase will last or what will develop from it. But the pot is back on the stove.
The flame is turned up and the book is simmering along on the way to fully cooked.
My tips
1) State your intention—to yourself and at least one other person.
On Monday, I told my regular check-in writing partner Lisa Meltzer-Penn, that I intended to get back to revising this week. Just imagining the sheepish feeling I’d get if I have to tell her this Monday that I didn’t was a big motivator. I also mentioned it during BYTS Community Writing time. I’m committed!
2) Take the pressure off.
Treat the first days/weeks as exploratory. Use intuition, rather than brute force, as a guide to what you want to do and how you want to do it.
3) DON’T FORGET TO HAVE FUN!!!!!
I’m notoriously terrible at this. But when I approach the return—or any writing challenge, really—with a sense of lightness and curiosity, a willingness to use imagination and creativity as well as the analytical part of my brain, I’m much more likely to begin work and stay engaged.1
Have you faced the challenge of restarting/reengaging with a project? What has worked—or not—for you?
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Use of all caps, bold, italics, and multiple exclamation points is intentional. I usually avoid all of these so I don’t sound as if I’m shouting at readers, but in this case, I am.
awesome description of jumping back in, Audrey...and it kept striking me, your list of how to do it well and kindly and productively seems like life instructions, not just novel instructions! Wonderful that you shared it here...and I also must confess, I am SO grateful I don't write fiction! Just writing is hard enough, without also having to create a whole peopled world! Best wishes..