(It's been a while since the last update on this book because I ran out of ideas. If you have any writerly issues you'd like to hear my two cents on, let me know. I like it when other people think I'm smart.)
Writing is a joy. Revising and editing is less so, at least in my opinion. I don't like reading what I've written because I'm afraid that I'll decide it's garbage. But revising and editing always pays off, and it usually renews my enthusiasm for writing. It sparks new ideas, and it gives me a proverbial pat on the back.
Revising is looking at the a document as a whole. When you're revising, you have to make sure that the plot flows well, that your characterization is consistent throughout (and if it isn't consistent, is there a reason for it), and that you've given at least a little foreshadowing to any plot twists. It's also when you make sure that Character A didn't suddenly have his eyes change color or that Character B's name didn't change after you introduced him early on and then reinserted him in Chapter 200.
To revise effectively, you have to keep track of your story. Here is my method:
· If you're writing in Word, use the Header tools to create an outline of your document on the side of the page. I use Heading 2 for chapters and Heading 3 for scene numbers. This lets me easily jump between parts of the story.
· If you notice anything that needs attention while you're writing, but that you don't want to fix until later, click the Review tab at the top of the page and insert a comment where you need to fix an issue.
· Create a section in your document that is specifically for notes about your story. This notes might say that a certain character arc needs more attention or that you noticed the imagery isn't as strong as it should be throughout the book. You can also put the names of places and characters in your story if you think you might have trouble remembering them.
· Once your rough draft is finished, break out your 4x6 index cards. Describe each scene on a card in a sentence or two. I put whose point of view the scene is from, if it is just about the main plot or a certain subplot, and the characters who are present. This step takes some time, but it will give you a snapshot of your story and help you rearrange scenes if necessary. After you write out the scene cards, make notes on the cards about anything you might want to change in any given scene.
· Use your notes to make changes in your story.
You might also want to put together detailed character profiles. I don't do this, but there are tons of sites on the internet where you can get questionnaires to fill out about your characters. This is a really useful tool if you think one or more of your characters is close to cardboard territory.
Beta readers are useful, too. A beta reader doesn't need to be an expert on grammar. Just ask a friend to give you their opinion on your story from the viewpoint of a regular reader.
Editing and Proofreading are done on a sentence level. This is when you address mechanical issues and other itty bitty details. It's easy to be edit-blind when you're proofing your own work. One way to reduce edit-blindness is by taking a break from your story for a couple of weeks. Fresh eyes always help!
Speaking of fresh eyes, recruit someone who knows what they're doing to help you edit. Wattpad has a forum where you can find help. If that doesn't fit your fancy, you can try to edit yourself, but it might help you spot errors if you start at the end and read one paragraph at a time, working your way backward. This way you won't get so caught up in the brilliant pot you wrote that you miss errors!
Anyway... that's what I have to say about that.
By the way, I didn't proofread this post, so I apologize for any errors you find.
YOU ARE READING
Things Every Writer Should Know (but Most Don't)
Non-FictionYou have a wonderful idea for a story, and that is fantastic! But how can you make sure that poor mechanics don't distract your writers from your message? I address some of the most common errors in writing and tell you how to fix them.
