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| This is Janice. And I want to steal her sweater. 🙂 |
Recently, I discovered Janice Hardy’s blog. Janice is the author of the middle grade Healing Wars Trilogy, but her website is a treasure trove of useful information for aspiring authors. She covers everything and has even begun offering critiques on short sections (particularly opening sections) of reader’s stories. I could probably write a couple thousand words about the information I’ve found here, but today I’m going to concentrate on one aspect: editing the first draft.
Why am I concentrating on this subject today? Because I’m in the process of doing this myself. My own method of editing has developed over the course of a few years and has fallen into a pattern that works rather well for me. First, I print my book, paperclip each chapter or section, and put the whole thing into an accordion folder. Next, I gather three writing utencils (a black pen, a bright colored pen [usually red, green, or orange], and a mechanical pencil) and a composition book (because they’re cheap). Third, I start reading, watching for things I know I have problems with (like overusing “that,” passive voice, telling instead of showing, etc.), but I do this only to make sure I’m paying attention to the details as I read. In her blog post about the difference between editing and revising, Janice makes this point:
You often hear edit and revise used interchangeably, but they really are two different things. Editing is the nitpicky, line by line tweaks that polish your text. Revision is more macro level, changing parts of the story. But how do you know when to use one over the other? I revise first, because that covers the big issues. The things that may take a lot of work. Once the story is unfolding how I want, then I edit, polishing it until it shines.
It’s a good point, and one that will inevitably save you time in the polishing process. I am definitely guilty of doing editing during the first revision, but that’s also because the first revision usually comes before I have gotten any feedback. In my head, everything is still working because no one has told me otherwise. Do I think my first draft is perfect? Heck, no. I just don’t know yet how to fix the problems I’m sure are in there somewhere. That’s where sites like Janice’s come in handy.
Within her page on editing and revising, she goes through a list of many of the large and middling issues most first drafts face, things like structure, stakes, and story arcs. She gives you questions to ask yourself as you read through your novel to help pinpoint your major issues. And, trust me, they’re good questions.
So, if you’re like me and beginning the arduous process of revising your NaNoWriMo novel, check out Janice’s blog. You may find some information that will get your draft from problematic to perfect.
Thank you, Tarryn! That comment made my day! People don't comment often, so sometimes it's hard to remember there might actually be someone out there reading this! 😉
In the next couple of months, I'm probably going to do a few more posts somehow related to editing including a tutorial on making the best use of Track Changes in Word. I love that feature so much! Hope you like the future posts as well as the ones now past! 😀
Aw, thank you! I don't know about “reinventing”, but I've tried to push through. I just finished my third novel and I'm hoping the third time's the charm. It seems to be the magic number for quite a few authors I've spoken to, including several I met during the Miami book fair. Of course, there are those freaks of nature who get an agent AND a book contract before their first draft is complete (specifically Tea Obreht), but those are definitely not me. 😉
If you ever have specific questions you'd like to see a post about, let me know!
You know, I'm really enjoying your blog. You are touching on great topics that are really helpful. I'm glad you're back. I always look forward to the next post.
I've pointed a couple of my friends in your direction. Writers are a small community and we need to stick together. Iron sharpens iron. I am really proud of you for persevering. You try over and over, you reinvent yourself… That's how you distiguish the people born to write from those who just have a fancy for it.
I'm editing and revising something I've been working on for three years. I just need to read lots of those posts. My head feels like its going to explode. I need editing clarity. Are you on Twitter? I follow a bunch of authors and they constantly post really helpful and encouraging tweets. Not to mention, they often interact with you if you ask them questions. Lauren DeStephano and Michael Grant are really good about talking to their fans. Also, you'll get more traffic to your blog. I think people will like your blog.
I am on Twitter, and I probably should use it more, but I honestly don’t understand that site. It makes no logical sense to me AT ALL. However, you can find me here: http://twitter.com/ByEricaCameron. Also, since you asked, I will now install a Twitter app on my phone that will make me check it and post on it more often.