Revision Reflections: 02

THE TLDR

I am currently on the exciting, yet trying, adventure of writing my first full-length novel that I aim to get traditionally published!

Project Disco a.k.a The Last Dance in the Disco Inferno tells the story of reclusive former starlet Elaine ‘Dayna’ Sims, spending the past three decades hiding from the glitter and grit of her past, when she’s unexpectedly approached by ambitious curator Tori Robinson, on her own costly rebrand undertaking, to archive Elaine’s life for a new exhibition. A dangerous dance of memory and mirrors begins as ghosts of Elaine’s disco era resurface, and the deep shadows of New York City threaten Tori’s exhibition. Are the secrets they’ve kept to protect their reputations worth more than the cost of the truth? For this final performance, they must decide to preserve the legacy of a public persona or reveal the truths behind the curtain.

In the disco inferno, the truth is the only thing that doesn’t burn.

On Fighting the Beast

I’m officially done with the second revision of ACT II in my current WIP, The Last Dance In The Disco Inferno, meaning I’m creeping towards the end of this draft, and I can’t believe how this journey has been taking shape thus far.

ACT II was just as difficult and all-consuming as the first time drafting. It’s like I’ve been squaring off in the ring with a beast that is solidifying its form, and some days I win as its creator, other days it knocks me out so hard, my eyes cross, and my mind jumbles from the task at hand.

In this second draft, I knew this section of the story would be difficult because I was approaching a complete restructuring of one of the timelines/POV’s. Having re-brainstormed and re-plotted the main conflict in one of the major storylines, I knew that this part of the draft would involve heavy mental gymnastics to not only heighten the stakes but also merge and twine the pieces of the existing elements so that the conflict’s impact would jump off the page.

“We revise—which is to say we write—to understand our intent, to understand our own stories, to understand ourselves-”

— Peter Ho Davies

With a new storyline inputted in the new chapters, I quickly realized this process felt like drafting for the first time again! I had great flow and energy at some points, and during others, the magnitude of the work ahead hit my self-esteem hard. As I was clarifying and evolving one chapter/section that had already been written, I had to shift to drafting another section that felt like I was producing infant words. I deleted so many existing moments, then included many new scenes to expand on Tori’s, one of my FMCs, backstories and character arc. Tori did not have as much depth as my other characters in Draft One, even though she was the driving force in bringing the central story to life. It felt like a puzzling maze that I somehow came out of the other end of, only to stare at the next, impending, larger maze ahead!

I recognize that this part of the writing stage is just the process of creating art. This is the work that is feared by many writers and even avoided by those who refuse to put in the work but expect the rewards.

I stand stronger now than before in tackling this beast because I see the potential of this story and the impact it can have as a whole. My characters are so much more layered than the first draft; their environments and the purpose within their missions are what drive me to the page every day. This draft truly has made me laugh with my characters, and tear up and hurt when they hurt. I know I have many paths to take with them still, but I feel so proud of this reconstruction so far.

Choosing to be an artist means that you have decided you aren’t going to take the easy road.

I accept the beast for what it is. I’m now deep in the cave with it, examining its inner core. And I refuse to give up because of the discomfort of staring it in the eye. A successful artist is one who doesn’t quit. I see the end near, and I see how this work is forming into the larger picture of what storytelling can be.

Cheers to knocking on the doors of this final ACT/end of draft two!

— Alina

Jun 01, 2026