Getting a story down on paper makes my heart sing. Alas,
editing is equivalent to cleaning the basement. So, how do I wade through the
dirty work? Here are the steps I took with my work in progress, The Scent of
Fear:
1) I read each
chapter, correcting any spelling/grammar/punctuation issues. While these issues
don't normally give me a problem, I've been known to reverse letters in
dyslexic fashion. This occurs if I'm: A) tired or B) the creative side is
flowing so fast that my brain gets confused.
2) Tripping over a
sentence while I'm reading alerts me to a trouble spot. I'll go back and read it out
loud within the context of several other paragraphs. This may require
substituting a word or re-writing an entire section.
3) One problem I've
identified is more of a memory thing. Have you ever forgotten the name or
physical characteristic of a minor character and had to hunt it down? What a
waste of time and effort! When I work on Book 3, Lost and Found, I'm going to
start a spreadsheet with these pesky, but important, details.
4) Like the old
dresser I thought I'd refinish and use someday, extraneous phrases and scenes
are difficult to cut. One of the rules of clutter control: If I haven't used it
in a year throw it out, sell it, or give it away. If words don't pull their
weight in the story, out they go.
5) I re-read the
chapter after I've made changes. Has it improved or did I make an even bigger
mess? On occasion, I've had to retrieve some items from the trash.
Writers: How do you
transform your basement first draft into a livable, cozy book?
Readers: What are some of the techniques you use to control
clutter?
Photo Credit: JR3
I like editing a lot. I do much the same as you.
ReplyDeleteAs for clutter, I don't like it (except I guess my writing area is a little messy, lol)
Hi Jess -
ReplyDeleteI much prefer writing the first draft to editing. There's something exciting about getting the story on paper.
My desk is a disaster area. I've done a post on that subject for another day. :)
Blessings,
Susan
I agree with #2 - tripping over a sentence...
ReplyDeleteI read out loud to hear the flow, and to look for mistakes or trouble spots. Reading out loud helps me find silly typos too.
Great post.
I go through each chapter time after time, looking for grammar errors, cadence, wordiness, repeated words, etc. Then I send it to beta readers and revise. Then I send it to a professional editor whom I pay, and I revise again.
ReplyDeleteLike Jessica, I enjoy the process at first. After the twentieth run through, though, I am sick of it and can't even judge if it's lousy or wonderful!
I think I do all of those!!lol. Love that part.
ReplyDeleteAh, I like these tips, Susan! I'm going to tuck them away in my mind for my editing days. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Loree - Great to see you! I'm always amazed at how many mistakes I find when I read through the manuscript out loud.
ReplyDeleteHi Jen - I completely understand! By the time I finish editing, I'm so ready to move on to the next project.
Hi Terri - Editing is not my favorite thing. I'd rather write a first draft any day.
Hi Melanie - I'm glad they gave you some ideas.
Blessings,
Susan :)
I like the idea of writing down all of the characters attributes so you don't forget them. That should help a lot.
ReplyDeleteI throw out things on a regular basis. This cleaning cycle, I only had one box to donate. That is either because I'm so good at tossing regularly or because I haven't read Don Aslett's clutter books recently.
Great tips, Susan. I second each and every one of them ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy - If I'd kept a spreadsheet on The Moses Conspiracy, it would have saved me a lot of time. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Ruth - Great to see you! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Blessings,
Susan :)