Deep Thoughts about Willy Wonka...

Hello, good fellows in blog land.

I'm currently revising a book that has given me major headaches since its conception. I managed to write it, and then I let it sit for the last two years as I finished four others, got an agent AND got a book deal.

Which is a little funny if you think about it. I mean this book - it's a humdinger. My poor crit buddies know - they've seen what, five different attempts at a first chapter?

But now this baby is hummin'. It's ROCKIN'. It's R-O-L-L-I-N'. I've got a long synop, a short synop, and three first chapters that are pretty dang good. (So it's off to the agent they go.)

I've been compulsively re-reading them, and thinking about them, and I've come to a conclusion. You remember in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, where he has the gum that should be a three or four course meal?

Your chapters ought to be like that.

I mean, you can pick your flavour, but you should have a complete meal in each one. There shouldn't be any preservatives, or extra fatty bits...no bone fragments or extra skin laying about...no, your chapter should have the well-rounded ecstasy of a starter, main and dessert...perhaps a cheese platter on the side, as well. And don't forget the drink!

I think this is a part of where I've gone wrong with this book before. I needed to have good stuff in there, but was so caught up in the different processes I didn't slow down and appreciate each chapter. Now, *crosses fingers* I think I have it.

Heh. Watch this space. I'll likely go bonkers next week.

But until then, I'm enjoying the ride.

And how is your writing/revising going?