Earlier this month, I began the much needed rewrite of my first book, Saving Emblem City, which is book one in The Stacey Williams Chronicles, which is my YA fantasy trilogy. (I’m very aware that I talk about it a lot on this blog, but I honestly can’t help myself. I love talking about my books and various other writing projects! Talking about writing is the primary focus of my blog. I decided to create a blog talking about writing because I wanted to. I wanted a place where I can talk about my true passion in life, which is where this blog came to be, 2-3 years ago). On this blog, I want to cover various topics relating to writing, from my perspective on writing advice, to chronicling various aspects of my writing process, to expressing the struggles that come with being a writer. This is what I want this blog to be, and that’s what I’m going to make it. I want to talk about what matters to me, and I’m going to do so.

One aspect of the writing process that I really want to cover is rewriting. As the saying goes, writing really is all about rewriting, and I feel like chronicling that with all of you, which is why I’ve decided to write updates, talking about my rewriting process, as I rewrite Saving Emblem City. (I feel like this aspect of the writing process isn’t being talked about enough, and with that, I’m choosing to document my experiences with it here on my blog).

PART ONE-MY THOUGHTS ON STARTING OVER:

Starting over isn’t easy, but sometimes it’s necessary. As of a few months ago, I knew that I needed to start over, and that doing so (in my opinion) was what I needed to do, and would be my next plan of action. During the summer, as I began brainstorming a plan for how I wanted to revise each of the books in The Stacey Williams Chronicles, I knew that rewriting book one would be the way I’d approach revisions for it. The moment came when I was reflecting on all the changes I wanted to make within the original story, and as new elements for a rewrite started forming in my head. While I am still using some of the bare bones from the original story, I’m also adding new things to incorporate in this new draft that weren’t in the original. Plus, one other reason I want to do the rewrite is because I’ve noticed problems within the original that I want to change and expand upon that I didn’t do the first time. (I’m not bashing myself for this at all, by the way. I’m just pointing out all the things I’m realizing now. I will say, though, while I am proud of myself for the fact that I wrote and managed to publish this book, I’m also bothered by it at the same time, because of the fact that the original is out there in the world, when I have all these changes I’m making in this new draft. One of the main things I want to do with this rewrite is make it A LOT better then the original was. I’ve honestly learned so much since that time, and my growth as a writer is much better now). The point is, though, having to start over doesn’t hurt me. In fact, I’m energized by this rewrite, and I’m glad I’m deciding to do it.

PART TWO-MY PROGRESS SO FAR:

 Although I started the SEC rewrite not to long ago, I’m not very far into the rewrite, and I am more than ok with that.  Last night, I finish writing chapter 2, which is titled The Holographic Knight,  and  I plan to start writing chapter 3-THE MAGICAL BOAT-within the next few days or so. To be honest, I’m not in much of a rush to get it done. With this rewrite, my main goal is to take as much time as I need with it, and not stress over it.  I’m not even going to worry about the fact that this rewrite is a first draft.  I just want to enjoy every moment of the writing process behind it, and fix any changes to the draft later, in the revision phase.

PART THREE-THE MUSIC IVE BEEN LISTENING TO DURING THIS REWRITE:

This is something, that, in my previous posts, I don’t talk about much, but would like to as well.  Music has always played a huge role throughout my life, and also just so happens to be an Integral part in my writing process.  Music is one of the main ways I fuel myself during a writing session. It allows me to get into the writing zone, and I perfer having it when I work. While I can write in silence, I like listening to music while I write even more. There’s something about music that just does it for me. I’ve discovered that music can open me up creatively, and help inspire me to write, and is one of my writing triggers. I’m a big fan of the moments where I can just drown out the world with music, write to my heart’s content, by allowing my imagination to grip hold of me. With that being said, I can listen to music with and without lyrics. (However, I can occasionally get distracted when it comes to music with words, but that doesn’t happen too often). Lately, I’ve been primarily listening to instrumental music, during this rewrite. I’ve been really loving the music of an independent composer from Australia named Peter Gundry. I personally think his music is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. He’s a composer of mostly dark fantasy, Celtic, vampric, orchestral, and emotional music, and I genuinely can’t get enough of his work! His pieces are very immersive, which I absolutely love. Alongside Peter Gundry, though, another artist I tend to listen to a lot during a writing session is Ellie Goulding. Music is something that’s really special to me, and as a writer, I don’t know where I’d be without it.

PART FOUR-CONCLUSION: