In light of some recent feedback, I took another look at the prologue to The Virtuous Courtesan. I loved the first few lines and even after dozens of readings, the scene still made me laugh. But still I wondered, could it be stronger? Could I write a more intriguing introduction? And that is when I realized that I’d been holding on to the old prologue like a mother terrified to part with her child on the first day of school.
I had revised the manuscript many times, without hesitating to take out scenes. I saved them all and hope to share some of them one day. Many of those deleted scenes brought me closer to my characters. Yet, changing the prologue was far more challenging. At first, I told myself that I would just test the revised version. Thus when I tried my hand at new drafts, I kept the new prologue in a separate word document. However, after working with the new prologue for a week, I decided I simply had to keep it. It grew on my to the point that I could not wait to share it. And I think that in the end my characters will be quite pleased with the changes!
If you would like to read my revised prologue, please visit my excerpts page.
Have you ever discarded a scene or section that you loved? Do you save your “deleted scenes”? Do you feel that those scenes helped you learn more about your work in progress or your characters?
Great topic! I can sympathize. GODDESS OF THE HUNT has a long-lost prologue. I held on to that baby through several rejections and revisions, but I finally had to let it go. I’m glad I did but I still have a fondness for that scene. I think I’ll post it on my website as an “extra” after the book comes out.
Sarah, did you see that you were the winner of Marie-Claude Bourque’s $15 Amazon GC on Romance Roundtable?
Oh, I like that prologue and can see why you want to keep it. I think it’s a good setup for future meetings with Nathaniel White.
I have discarded scenes that I loved because they just didn’t further the story. It’s hard to be so ruthless though, isn’t it? But it’s necessary and I do think anything I write about my characters helps me get to know them better.
Hi Sarah,
My present MS has had three versions. One version, I tossed two thirds in. All three had a prologue, and then did, and then didn’t! I played prologue “hokey pokey” until settling on no prologue, which worked the best. I haven’t ditched any scenes, yet, but I’ve redesigned many of them. Whether an agent or editor would want me to cut any parts out, remains to be “scene”!
Good luck and I can’t wait to read the final,
Tanya
Funny how we all feel the same about those scenes. I think they are necessary to get to know our characters and story, but yeah, most of the time not needed. It takes a while to get to the point of severing the umbilical cord though.
Fun excerpt! Tks for sharing it with us. Good luck the ms, I’m intrigued and looking forward to the full.
I save deleted scenes – who knows when I can rework them for another book??? I’m getting ready to go back and revise the opening of a contemporary series book before I send to London office of Harlequin. I had some good feedback from a published author whom I respect,and I think it could be stronger. Although, like you, I hadn’t wanted to change the opening but sometimes you have to! Good luck.