Frankly, writers are nuts. Who else would spend an hour revising a page? But, that’s what my measurement was last week in revising this story I’ve tinkered with over the years. I’ve certainly drastically decreased the amount of revision page time I spend by taking classes and workshops from the likes of people like Pam Houston, Gretel Ehrlich Lee Gutkind and now Susan Pohlman.
Here’s a sample of last week’s revision where I focused on making a tighter scene that enters early with movement and moves forward with “beats,” physical movement or markers that push readers forward. Can you feel the difference between the first and second version of this passage? Which one do you like better? Which one held your attention more?
Passage A.)
From my kitchen window, he could often be seen returning from hunting in early fall: photo-ray glasses still grey from a day in the intense Alaska summer sun, red bandana contrasting with his shoulder length blue black hair, and his son’s 9 year old frame, trailing behind in the same gait, gun over the same shoulder as his dad, proudly toting the game sack with the day’s catch.
The first time I saw Willie, he made an impression. I was near the place where the dogs were kept, the pungent mix of dog muck, rotting fish and washed-up refuse wafting up from the willows below where I stood on the south bank of the Yukon.
A dull chopping sound stopped and a man cursed, “Damnit J.D. I tolt-chew to always start with the bitch on the ent.” Parting the willows, I peered down in time to see J.D. carrying the gut pail down the beach, and there was Willie: dirty red bandana around his native dark forehead, a thick raggedy, once white, t-shirt, hung loosely over high, pinched shoulders, sleeves cut out, exposing a torso made of ribs.
Gnarled, sun-browned hands, worked deftly on the upturned end of a stump, a chopping block, where Willie rhythmically cut silvery-scaled chum for the dogs. Between chops, his hand still holding the knife, would push his glasses back with a swollen knuckle, adding more fishy smears to glasses already darkened by sunlight.
From where I stood, he was all sinew and silhouette. Magnified by the river, the sun glare behind him made it hard to tell face from shadow. The same river light illuminated my white face between the branches, making it easy for a hunter to spot me.
Backing slowly out of the willows, I felt I had trespassed on a moment between a father and son, not so unlike another working moment between my father and me when I was nine.
Passage B.)
Knowing how quick Alaskan winters hit, those first weeks I spent a lot of time outside getting to know Ruby. On one of those breezy, well-lit evenings, I met Ruby’s dog-sled builder, Willie George. Sort of.
On the south bank of the Yukon, I walked along the river scrub parallel to where the dogs were kept. The pungent mix of dog muck, rotting fish and washed-up refuse wafted up from the willows. Thinking I’d heard something, I stopped.
A slippery crunching sound pulsed and stopped and pulsed again. Moving closer to the willows, I crouched trying to place the noise. A man, in front of me–closer than I though–yelled, “Damnit J.D., I tolt you always start with the bitch on the ent.”
Peeking through the willows, I saw my student J.D. lugging a gut pail down the beach, his head held down. About ten feet in front of me, his father Willie stood over a greasy, fly-infested stump with a butcher knife. A dirty blue bandana encircled his dark forehead, a thin raggedy, once-white, t-shirt, hung loosely over high, pinched shoulders, sleeves cut out, exposing a torso cut thin with ribs.
Raising the knife, Willie stepped back. I breathed in, stumbling forward into the cover of underbrush. Willie’s gnarled hands, rhythmically plunged into a silver-scaled chum. Between slices, his hand still holding the knife, he pushed his glasses back with a swollen knuckle, adding fishy smears to the scratched lenses.
Slit, slice and scrape, the silhouette made quick work of filling the dog buckets. Magnified by the river, the back glare melded his face to shadow. Always fascinated by the work men did, I couldn’t pry myself away. Willie slit, I inhaled. Willie scraped I exhaled.
Raising back with the knife, Willie called out, “Damn-it JD, I told you…”
Shit! Don’t! Holding my breath against a building cough, I felt like a kid who might suddenly get caught. Yet riveted by the hope of gaining some shred of understanding of father and son, I stayed put. My chest beat, compassion for my student welling. My father had been much the same as Willie. If you didn’t do something his way or right, he was all cuss and bluster.
21 thoughts on “Scene Revision Sample: Meeting Dog Musher Willie George”
Very descriptive, I could feel as if I was there. You noted why I could never be a writer. I just can’t pare down enough to get in what’s important and keeps a reader’s interest.
“B” is definitely tighter. You got rid of repeated information in it. I found “B” a bit more confusing for knowing what was going on, but I think that is probably only because it’s a snippet out of a bigger picture so nothing to worry about. I would love to have passage B to play with and copy-edit. If you want to send it to me just for fun, please use my website contact email
Anneli,
Thanks I just sent you the passage to the email you provided. In case you didn’t want the email published I erased it from the comment. I can leave it next time if you like. Thanks for the offer to check out ways to copy-edit this passage. R
Anneli, your copy edit skills rock! I will keep you in mind and find a way to promote your good work when the time comes. I’m a slow writer… and as you can tell by my blog posts, I’ve sacrificed perfection for visibility. It’s a compromise, but I’d like to get stuff out there. I once had a writing professor whose papers and emails were atrocious… but his publishing record and ability to bring others work up to pub standards was fabulous. So for me the lesson was 1.) pick your battles regarding perfection and 2.) know when to content and copy edit… among several other revision methods. But, your skills and passion for such are duly noted my friend! Best, R
Thanks so much, Renee. I’ve seen the same atrocious papers and stubborn attitude. Very sad – not only for the writer but for the readers (who will, of course, be disgusted). I’m here if you need me or want to send anything for my humble opinion. 😉
I haven’t caught up with you in so long. You’ve had a health scare? The post I read was ambiguous, and i’ve been praying for you. I’ve been on four hours a night of sleep for a while with both kids down with flu and traveling hubby. Sorry to be out of loop.
I am much better. Thank you for the love, concern and prayers. I read your blog often as a source of inspiration. Thank you for providing lessons for us writers. Mucho love.
Lovely description. What I find distinctive about your writing is the kind of purpose that peeps out of the prose. It tends to catch you at interesting moments and thought trains. I wonder how you are able to achieve that.
I know just what you mean. I have just completed an online course on writing picture books. Who would have thought 500 words would take so long to perfect?
Very descriptive, I could feel as if I was there. You noted why I could never be a writer. I just can’t pare down enough to get in what’s important and keeps a reader’s interest.
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Thank you so much. It takes a darn lotta time though!
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Both have their merits. Maybe you need a Passage C.
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Anneli,
Given your experience, I’m interested to know what you see as pros and cons to each passage?
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“B” is definitely tighter. You got rid of repeated information in it. I found “B” a bit more confusing for knowing what was going on, but I think that is probably only because it’s a snippet out of a bigger picture so nothing to worry about. I would love to have passage B to play with and copy-edit. If you want to send it to me just for fun, please use my website contact email
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Anneli,
Thanks I just sent you the passage to the email you provided. In case you didn’t want the email published I erased it from the comment. I can leave it next time if you like. Thanks for the offer to check out ways to copy-edit this passage. R
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Thanks, Renee. I really enjoyed giving the piece a workout!
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Anneli, your copy edit skills rock! I will keep you in mind and find a way to promote your good work when the time comes. I’m a slow writer… and as you can tell by my blog posts, I’ve sacrificed perfection for visibility. It’s a compromise, but I’d like to get stuff out there. I once had a writing professor whose papers and emails were atrocious… but his publishing record and ability to bring others work up to pub standards was fabulous. So for me the lesson was 1.) pick your battles regarding perfection and 2.) know when to content and copy edit… among several other revision methods. But, your skills and passion for such are duly noted my friend! Best, R
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Thanks so much, Renee. I’ve seen the same atrocious papers and stubborn attitude. Very sad – not only for the writer but for the readers (who will, of course, be disgusted). I’m here if you need me or want to send anything for my humble opinion. 😉
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Anneli,
Your fantastic penchant for detail is a skill of value–bar none! Bravo! – R
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Thank you.
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As always, wonderful blog. Thank you for your constant guidance.
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Millie,
I haven’t caught up with you in so long. You’ve had a health scare? The post I read was ambiguous, and i’ve been praying for you. I’ve been on four hours a night of sleep for a while with both kids down with flu and traveling hubby. Sorry to be out of loop.
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I am much better. Thank you for the love, concern and prayers. I read your blog often as a source of inspiration. Thank you for providing lessons for us writers. Mucho love.
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I’ll keep you in my sights – sending healing energy!
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Sending love YOUR way.
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Sending love your way too! Wishing you a fulfilling spring!
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Hi Renee,
Lovely description. What I find distinctive about your writing is the kind of purpose that peeps out of the prose. It tends to catch you at interesting moments and thought trains. I wonder how you are able to achieve that.
Keep writing…. and blogging!
Shakti
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Shakti,
Thank you for checking in. It’s been a while. I appreciate your insights and hope to catch up with your blog soon!
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I know just what you mean. I have just completed an online course on writing picture books. Who would have thought 500 words would take so long to perfect?
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Carol,
You are absolutely right!
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