You’ve heard it said that a first draft anyone writes is a story they tell themselves. Seldom, if ever, is the first draft ready for any reader’s eyes, especially not an agent or publisher. So, how do you get a draft ready to be read by anyone besides the writer? This is where editing and revision comes in. This episode addresses various stages and techniques for piecing your manuscript into a cohesive whole.
SHOW NOTES:
“The difference between a published writer and an unpublished one might be their ability to revise.” Courtney Maum
Stages of editing:
Development/Content
Copy/Line edit
Proofreading
Put distance between yourself & your manuscript before beginning the revision process.
Methods of revision:
Notecards
Creating a beat sheet
The Backwards Outline (nod to Jeni Chapelle, editor)
Backwards vs. forward editing/outlining
Storyboarding
Color-coding problem scenes: showing, telling, dialogue (for example)
Nuts and bolts:
Structure (3 or 5)
Word count
Cutting
Crutch words & echoes
Cliches
Passive Voice
Showing vs. telling
Every scene must have a purpose
Working with a Critique Partner:
Develop a list of questions (focusing on problem points)
SOURCES & LINKS:
“Getting it Right: Learning to Revise,” Before and After the Book Deal, Courtney Maum (process and methods, such as writing groups and critique partners)
Save the Cat Writes A Novel, Jessica Brody (structure)
Story Genius and Wired for Story, Lisa Cron (structure and character development)
The Thesaurus Collection by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi (showing vs. telling)
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression
The Conflict Thesaurus, The Emotional Wound Thesaurus…
Launch Pad: The Countdown to Writing Your Book, Emma Dhesi, Grace Sammon
(finishing touches)
On Writing, Stephen King (2nd half: on making writing concise)
DO NOW:
TRY at least one of the revision methods you learned today; see if that helps your story come together more fluidly.
Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com
Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/
Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com
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