You’re deep into your mystery when you realize that you never planted the clue you need for this final twist earlier in the book. Now you have to go back and seed it. If your heart just sank, I’d love to change how you see that moment. Going back to plant clues isn’t a setback. It means you’ve come up with something good further on in the story, and you’ve left yourself a roadmap to get there. In this video I share why I welcome the trip back, whether to fix it the moment you spot it or wait until later, and the mindset that turns revision into the best part of the work.
How do I cope when I realize I have to go back and plant earlier clues? Well, the truth is I get excited. If I have to plant earlier clues, that means I’ve come up with something really exciting and good further on in the story, and I’ve left myself a roadmap. I’ve left myself breadcrumbs about what I need to do.
I love when I have clear direction and marching orders. Then it’s just a matter of doing the revision. And a corollary question that this person asked was, do I do it right then or do I wait? And the answer is generally I do it right then, because I’m then going to reread, make sure everything is seamless, that it has segues, that nothing sticks out like a sore thumb, that it is appropriately layered and seeded, that I’ve planted the seeds properly.
I also want to mention that writing is rewriting. One of the hallmarks of a professional writer is the willingness to revise. And I’ll never forget Michael Crichton, wonderful author of Coma, The Andromeda Strain, among many others. It is he who said that rewriting is hard, that revision is hard, especially after your seventh draft doesn’t quite cut it. I embrace it.
I think it’s a wonderful thing that I have something to revise. That means I got something down on paper. Good luck with it. And if this tip had value for you, would you like it?
Would you share it? Would you subscribe to the channel? That helps me make these videos even more valuable for you. Thank you
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