So recently I was given the go ahead to start on a rewrite for a producer I'm working with. Great news! But, now I'm working with someone else in his department. Also a very talented producer. But the thing is, his notes were almost completely opposite of what the first producer had me do. So what's a writer to do? Hunker down and do that rewrite.
For some writers a rewrite this big can seem daunting and intimidating. See it was literally a page 1 rewrite. I've seen talented writers give up at this point. But this is what seperates the men from the boys and the gals from the, well, you get the picture. So instead of getting overwhelmed, I took the notes and made myself work on the rewrite every single day. I reminded myself, I love writing! This is what I want to be doing. So to have fun. I didn't let myself get overwhelmed and think of the, "What if I can't figure this out?" I put that out of my head and just did what I know how to do and love to do, write.
The important thing is to work on a new outline. I had to take apart a story I had already learned to love. That can be painful, sure. But instead of worrying about that. I had to focus on the fact that these talented producers see something worthwhile in this story. If I can deliver to them what they want to work on, then what could be better than that? So with a little hard work, a little sweat, a lot of writing, a lot of noodling, yesterday I finally found the story I wanted to tell. Tada! See, it can work out. And now I'm so inspired with my new story, I can barely take time to stop writing it. Okay, yes I did find time to write this post for you. But that's literally about it. Oh, and eating, and sleeping, But you get my point.
So if you're faced with a huge rewrite, just remember you can do it. It's just a piece of paper. It can't defeat you. You're the creator of your writing universe. It's up to you if you want to create some new magic. Even if it's a page 1 rewrite.
