Life of a Writer. #31. The Art of Revision.

Oh yes, a title to obscure the drudgery of revision. It is art, is it not? Or will produce art. As writers what we know is that it is necessary. Inspiration may be what first drove what we are working on, but once those halcyon days of flashing lights and long hours capturing those images have disappeared into the past, what we are left with is shaping, cutting, adding, redoing. Whatever words fit the 90 percent of the work of creation. It requires persistence, dedication, joy and sorrow. Probably much else as well. Patience. Quiet surroundings usually. An understanding family if one is lucky enough to have one. A supportive spouse/partner, also if one is lucky enough to... These supportive people may help us financially as well as emotionally. Or we may have to do this for ourselves. But one way and another, we find our own way through the morass of figuring out how to find those long hours to put in on writing and revision.

In my case, I have the readers' comments from the publisher about my upcoming novel, Would I Lie To You?, and am working on incorporating the ones I agree with prior to editing further with the actual editor of the small press that will publish my book in the fall. One wonders at times if it never ends and then is grateful that when the time comes, the book that emerges will be a better one!

Cuba. March 2014

Street Scene in Old Havana

Old Havana

Old Havana

Old Havana

Old Havana

Cuban flag

Ernest Hemingway's House near Havana

Restaurant on Water. Most magnificent seafood.

Santa Clara

Che Guavera Memorial

The size!!!

A trip to Cuba that included the interaction with a feminist, activist lawyer and a biologist/environmentalist, lectures from a doctor, a lawyer and an economist. Lots of questions and answers in all contexts. An opportunity to meet people who live in Cuba and for us to benefit from their experience. A visit to an organic farm, to the psycho ballet, to dance demonstrations, to a sculptor and doctor's home. To hear music and tour community and women's centres. To meet the children. To see the happy children in school yards and parks. And on it went. Even enjoying the beach! But primarily learning about the people, their struggles, their courage and creativity. About a system that has health care for everyone and where however poor, a roof over everyone's head. Through all the hardships of the embargo and the collapse of the Berlin wall, later the financial embroglio at the beginning of this century in North America, these people have survived and thrived. When the subject of the U.S. comes up, it is clear they do not want to change anyone else, only to be left alone to continue carrying out with the philosophical insights of their national hero, Jose Marti, which place community at the core of everything. So decisions and policies are made by the community for the community with that care for everyone in mind.