 For Authors: December 27, 2017 Issue [#8677] |
  For Authors
This week: Preparing to Edit or Rewrite Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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A look at preparation work that one can take when getting ready to rewrite or edit. Some options to consider along with questions of methodology. |
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Not everyone is a novel writer. We all have our different genres, lengths and methods to approach when it comes to writing. And in preparing those items for contests, activities, friends to read, submission or even just for ourselves to look upon at a later time, we all have to go through a creative process. There is the initial creation but then there are other parts of this craft that some occasionally skip while others spend far too much time on. That is the editing/rewriting process.
Writing is rewriting.
Acting is reacting... Okay, that might not be related.
Editing is an important part of the writing process and while some of us can get a story or poem somewhat done in the first draft. Many of us have to do edits and rewrites in order to create the final product. But how does one even get started with the task of rewriting or editing? How do you prepare for such a challenge? Now is a good time to consider editing or rewriting a project. We're almost to a new year. Those who took part in NaNoWriMo should have a nice, albeit somewhat messy, draft and some time has passed in order to take a break from it for those that finished at the end of December. Or maybe you spent part of 2017 writing poems. Or have gotten a collection of short stories put together over your time here on WDC. Many options and all of them can lead to the need for editing and/or rewriting.
Do you have a process when preparing to embark on an edit or rewrite?
I'm actually working on preparing a few different novels for editing, so can share my process a little. Aside from taking part in a world building challenge for the fantasy story, which is a new method. I have also been working on notes for two contemporary novels. These notes vary and include some big picture items. These are more in the realm of the rewrite. Though the particular novels won't need as many or as big of a rewrite as my first couple. For one I have things I need to research since it takes part in the real world and there is travel involved. I need maps, route planning and options for finding the northern lights. I also have a main character who is dealing with a medical condition, which requires research.
Then there are the editing notes. I use a web site called edit minion. It shows some adverbs, passive voice, over used words, cliches, saidisms and sentences with preposition ends. It doesn't show them all or get everything right but is a good starting point for an online program. editminion.com
I definitely find more adverbs but I tend to ignore at least half of the different versions of said that get highlighted because they aren't even attached to dialogue. And I find more weak phrases/words, ones that I find are a little too weak and just used far too often (like my overuse of "a little") On top of that, I either highlight or use colored font for words that I use more than necessary. Not that they are wrong but don't want to use them too many times with the same chapter. And I also mark paragraphs that have awkward wording or that I feel need a rewrite even if it isn't technically flawed.
I do this in scrivener because it's a handy tool and can be kept with the first draft but still separate, but one can use any program really that allows colored font and highlighting. I don't use the actual first draft though. I leave that draft as is, flaws and all. Instead, I copy and past to a different one so that I can have the notes, then later get about to rewriting, editing as a whole new draft.
This last month I've worked on two novels in this way. I have the notes ready to go and even might have found a solution to a minor problem in one of the contemporary novels. Now I'm making editing notes for the fantasy that is also in a worldbuilding stage and is one that will require a major rewrite before considering editing. That is my methodology and maybe it will help someone else. But really, what method you use depends on what works best for you.
Just don't forget to edit and rewrite. It's all part of the process. |
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Do you have a process to get a story/poem ready for an edit or rewrite?
Last time, for this newsletter I discussed some questions to use when worldbuilding. A very different process than editing or maybe not. Some can do the world building when getting ready to edit so that might be a part of the process after all. I am one of those that joins a worldbuilding challenge before a novel rewrite. What about you?
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