Or something like that.
I'm sure you've heard the saying, "the only constant in this life is change." So better get used to it, right? Can change be a good thing? I like to think so. Some changes are hard, some are even devastating. However, some are exciting and fun. Like my hair. (You thought I was going to be all deep and stuff, didn't you? Ha! Fooled you again!) I love to change my hair. I get nervous about cutting it too short, because it takes FOREVER to grow back out (since it's naturally curly). But I even tried a short 'do last summer. I was brave. And when it comes to color, or variations of style/bangs/etc, I'm all about the change. I thought about posting a whole bunch of pictures from just the last two years to show how drastically I have changed my hair (over and over again!) during that time, but eh. That's probably not interesting to you. Or is it? I can if you'd like. It's almost funny to see what I've done. But anyway, I digress.
So what does this have to do with writing?
Thanks for asking! Let me tell you. Change is good. When you're stuck in revisions, or when you've written yourself into a corner, try changing something. Have the courage to do something drastic if necessary. Even though it might be scary, it could end up being the best decision you ever made.
The thing is, when you change your hair, you know it can easily be fixed if it turns out badly. If you don't like the highlights, get the dark color put back in. Badabing, badaboom. If you try the big change in your manuscript, and end up hating it, you can just change it back to how it was. Delete. Copy and paste. Voila. It never hurts to try, and you might be surprised at what a huge improvement the change might make. At the very least, you'll know you tried, and won't ever wonder, "what if I'd had the courage to ____."
So, what do you say? Any big changes you've been to scared to make, that you're ready to do now after this little pep talk? Come on, don't be shy. And don't be scared. What's the worst that can happen? Besides this:
17 comments:
LOL. It's a lot easier to fix something in your ms when you changed your mind than if the same thing happens with a haircut. Now that takes a loooong time to fix.
I love to change my hair color. I think I've been just about every color at this point -- both natural and unnatural shades. Good post! It's important to remember that change is good.
I'm not so good with change, I've never been the grass is greener over there person, but I do agree with your advice on writing. If you never change anything you'll never know what works for you.
LOL - I'm going to have to try this 'drastic change' approach! I've got a stuck part... which is why I switched to writing in scenes. This might get me through the block on that chapter! :)
I'd love to see all your hair changes! I'm a big ninny when it comes to my hair.
Ugh! I'm making changes in my wip. It's probably for the best, but it's so much work. =)
lol! That cat...ahh. classic. I like change a lot but it is really hard to decide if changing something is for the best or not in my novels. That's the part I struggle with the most.
(And I'm a big hair changer too. It gets so boring after a while, just being the same ol junk on your head! And I would love to see pics! lol)
Change is fun, but it can be hard. I find especially when I'm working on revising that my brain gets stuck in the rut of what I've already written instead of what could be. I've had to really learn how to think out side the box :)
And I LOVE changing my hair. I just died it bright red. I think maybe I'll go with pink next :)
Great post! I'm not adverse to changes in my WIP, as long as I remember to put things in a "deleted scenes and snippets" folder!
I had highlights put into my hair once about 13 years ago. And let me tell ya...tragic. I had it dyed back to my natural color and have no dyed it since. I have however straightened it because my curls make me crazy. They make me look like a hobbit. But I would like to color my hair sometime. I just have no idea what to do with it.
BUT I think change is good. It's the adapting to it that is hard. Ha! Love the little kitty. so funny!
Let me guess...you rearrange the furniture in your home regularly as well. *shakes head*
Love love love!! Please post pictures. I love changing mine as well. It's one of the few areas...okay, the only area that change doesn't scare me. As for changes in the manuscript, I am open to them as long as I have my cut and paste page open. The scenes/chapters/characters go in there. It doesn't feel like such a loss later. If I panic, I can open it up and see them without them still being IN the manuscript. I wish my hair was naturally curly. I have super fine straight boring hair. I guess that's why I play with cuts and color so much.
I recently made a HUGE change to my book on the advice of someone who told me not to be afraid to write the big story--the one that you don't think you can. So I'm trying and I'm loving every minute.
p.s. I'd love to see the hair!
That picture is hilarious! I'm with Belle, I keep all of my cuttings in a neat little folder.
Sara, your comment on my blog cracked me up. I just had to tell you. I think you'd be fun to pull an all-nighter with. Just sayin.
By the way, I saw the list of people attending WFC, and I saw a Sara Larson, and for a minute I got all excited, and then I saw that it was Sara L. Larson. :( Bummer.
I'm all about change...I change the furniture around constantly, and making sweeping changes in my WiPs are no problem. And while I will mess with my hair color (I've been every color and currently have tres expensive highlights) and occasionally go through phases w/ bangs/layers...I WILL NEVER HAVE SHORT HAIR. There's change and then there's just stupid. Me with short hair=fugly. I accepted this in 7th grade and will never make that mistake again. And I don't think I'll ever let myself go gray when I get old(er).
I would LOVE to see the hair photos! Please do it.
The last 2 years is good...but how about through the last 20 years?! (Man do I have some good ones of me with Big Hair.)
Have a wonderful weekend,
Lola
OMGosh! First of all, I LOVE THAT CAT!!!! He is just TOO. Awesome.
Secondly, I really liked your post because it's so timely for me. After a few false starts I've finally embraced a FOURTH major revision of one of my WiPs. After rewriting it so many times, I wondered if I could do it AGAIN. But guess what? I CAN?
I'm not afraid of change. Not anymore. Too many things have come to my life because I was willing to try something new, just one more time.
Thanks Sara!
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