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Critical revision tips: Editor's Notes #284 April 03, 2019 |
| Hello, —Malcom Forbes In this issue: 1. Critical revision tips 2. Tickled my funny bone 3. Interesting Web site 4. Writing prompt 1. Critical revision tips Sometimes the mantra "write, then revise, then edit" sounds like nagging, and it is almost impossible for many writers to follow. Instead of staying on the task of getting the words down on the page, these writers write a little bit and polish and polish and polish and polish and polish…. The writing stalls because the writer looks for perfection on the first draft or because the writer is afraid the revisions will never happen if they are not done immediately. Here are three critical revision tips that will keep you writing to the end and give you a plan for your revisions when you get to the end. First, keep a list of things to come back to. If you are writing a 200-page book, this list will be long, so I suggest you dedicate a notebook to it. Start the list with bad writing habits you already know you have. If they are really your bad habits, they will definitely show up, so put them on the list first, and then get on writing. For examples, see the link below in Interesting Web site. Add any questions about your writing that pop into your mind as you write. Note spots that aren’t working out as you had hoped. Point form is fine. You need another spot to keep track of names, both characters and places. You need to know how you have spelled these. You can also add details if necessary so a blond in chapter 2 does not become a red-head in chapter 13. Keep maps and floor plans in one place for reference. Again, this reference gives you a way to check that you have not switched important details. When you have finished the whole book, get out these three aids to your revision, and go to work by checking off one item at a time from your lists and your collection of maps and floor plans. Using this system frees your mind to write while you are writing, and gives you a guide to your revisions. When you have done all the polishing you can do, it’s time for an edit by someone else. As someone who edits for a living, I can tell you that the cleaner your text is when you submit it, the cheaper it will be to have an edit. I’d love to see your best work when you are ready. You can submit a sample here. https://www.writershelper.com/sample-edit.html/ =========== 2.Tickled my funny bone Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine. =========== 3. Interesting Web site Editor’s Notes #256 gives some examples of writing weaknesses you may need to add to your list of revisions. https://www.writershelper.com/Editors_Notes-256.html/ =========== 4. Writing prompt Write about a makeover you would give to yourself or to someone else. How would the makeover be an improvement? =========== Join Writer's Helper Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WritersHelperEditor Follow me on Twitter @AudreytheEditor Link on LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/in/audreyowen (Email me first so I know how you know me.) =========== If you know a writer who would appreciate receiving Editor's Notes, forward this issue. If someone has passed this on to you, you can get your own free subscription by signing up at https://www.writershelper.com/newsletter.html |
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