Step-by-Step

–From Karen:

Cathy has been basking in glory lately, what with her new novel, all her cool readings and interviews, not to mention her latest score—a flash fiction honorable mention in the acclaimed Glimmertrain magazine.

I could be envious, if I had the time.

But slogging my way through the middle of a comprehensive novel manuscript rewrite—yes, line-by-line, adding new scenes, reworking a viewpoint, the whole shebang—has me just a tad too occupied.

I’m making steady, if slow, progress, but I’m not complaining. My mantra these days: one foot in front of the other—make each scene, and each bit of connective narrative glue, as  compelling as possible.

Of course, I am taking some breaks. My family recently spent a weekend hiking in New Hampshire’s gorgeous White Mountains, where I stumbled (yes sometimes literally) upon a nifty rewrite metaphor: the steep, boulder-strewn trail we climbed.

Okay, it’s a little corny, but also kind of apt, and you can’t beat the scenery.

Our hiking route was the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, which winds up the infamous and awesome Mount Washington. Here are a few milestone markers that—when you’re eyeball deep in a big rewrite—resonate both on and off the trail.

 

Chapter One, get moving. The Mountain—like the last page—won’t come to you.

 

Picking up speed, but pace yourself. One scene at a time.

 

Moments of early inspiration.

 

Look out for those rocky patches, and there are a lot of them.

 

This is called an uphill climb, dig deep and keep pushing.

 

Save your file, time for a coffee break. God bless the team that pitched these shelters along the mountain trail.

 

The end is in sight. Your feet are sore and your legs ache, but there’s no way you’re quitting now.

 

The end: A view worth climbing for. The manuscript’s ending? I’ll let you know when I get there.