The other day I picked up a manuscript I'd completed nearly two year ago and hadn't looked at since typing the final world. I had always planned to go back to it, but I continued to get sidetracked by one project or another. Recently I was inspired by two books I've read to revisit the strange universe found in the pages of my forgotten story.
I've been reading it slowly and carefully and find myself changing the voice slightly. That could prove a headache as I go on, but I really can't be sure seeing as how I don't recall all that much about what happens. There's a good chance the voice will fall into line on its own. One thing that I have found quite fascinating, stemming from the fact that I don't remember what comes next, is how I keep making revisions only to find a near word-for-word match in the next paragraph. At least I'm consistent.
I don't really know what to expect from this journey, but hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised by my own imagination.
What fun:) You never know what you find when you re-visit an old ms... and the changing of the voice could turn out to be perfect. I love that you re-word with the same words in the next paragraph. I also find I do the same thing when I revise. Too funny!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's true the surprises you find. It's been sitting on my desk for 2 years waiting for a chance to be looked at.
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