How do I edit my books?
Today, a question from Marie: How do you edit you work? Chapter by chapter? Edit in stages? Do one type first (say storyline, plot, etc., then grammar, sentence structure, etc). How many times did you go through MLTF? How do you know when you're done?! There's always the, "don't be come obsessesed" issue but then there are editors and agent saying to only send in your very very best work. At what point did you "cut the cord" with MLTF?
I cut the cord with MLTF when I knew it was as good as I could possibly make it. Of course, Kristin and Anne helped me make it much better. ; )
As to subsequent books, when I'm writing a first draft, I try not to go back and edit too much as I go. I'm a professional editor/proofreader in my day job, so curbing my impulses ain't easy. When I'm doing the final edit, I take it chapter by chapter, doing everything at one (content, grammar, spelling, fact checking/consistency).
I have a checklist (basically a piece of paper with all the chapter numbers on it). When I put a check mark next to a chapter number, I know that chapter is as polished as I can make it (or as polished as I have time to make it on a deadline), and I move on to the next chapter. When I'm finished, I rarely have time for a final read-through. I trust that the chapters are ready to go when they all have check marks. At that point I take all the separate Word docs (I use a separate Word doc for each chapter) and put them together, add page numbers, my name and title as a header, and send that puppy off to Anne & Kristin. Then that torturous time of waiting begins. ; )
Tomorrow I'll be the Featured Writer over at Fantasy Debut. Tia Nevitt has graciously invited me over for a day of chat/Q&A. Come and join me for live chat on Wednesday.
Lisa
I cut the cord with MLTF when I knew it was as good as I could possibly make it. Of course, Kristin and Anne helped me make it much better. ; )
As to subsequent books, when I'm writing a first draft, I try not to go back and edit too much as I go. I'm a professional editor/proofreader in my day job, so curbing my impulses ain't easy. When I'm doing the final edit, I take it chapter by chapter, doing everything at one (content, grammar, spelling, fact checking/consistency).
I have a checklist (basically a piece of paper with all the chapter numbers on it). When I put a check mark next to a chapter number, I know that chapter is as polished as I can make it (or as polished as I have time to make it on a deadline), and I move on to the next chapter. When I'm finished, I rarely have time for a final read-through. I trust that the chapters are ready to go when they all have check marks. At that point I take all the separate Word docs (I use a separate Word doc for each chapter) and put them together, add page numbers, my name and title as a header, and send that puppy off to Anne & Kristin. Then that torturous time of waiting begins. ; )
Tomorrow I'll be the Featured Writer over at Fantasy Debut. Tia Nevitt has graciously invited me over for a day of chat/Q&A. Come and join me for live chat on Wednesday.
Lisa
posted by Lisa Shearin at
6:40 AM
10 Comments:
I know I could easily edit and re-edit till Kingdom Come. The check-mark system seems like a good idea. I'll have to borrow it. :)
I tend to dwell too much on editing as I go. Write a sentence, look at it; write a sentence, look at it. Then I edit, and then I do a read-thru. Time will tell if this is a successful approach.
Thanks again for the mention, Lisa. I have the Writer Wednesday post scheduled to post at 6:00 sharp, and it will go on until . . . whenever!
I'll be there bright and early, Tia!
(Or at least early. Me being bright at that hour is highly questionable.)
Don't get up early for us! I'd hate to have that on my conscience! ;)
No problem. I'm up at 6:00, and typically online by 6:30.
That was a great post to hear. I think it might be possible to over-edit, and lose a writer's voice. It's hard to say 'no more'.
Is it bad when I don't think of 6 am as early? Alarm goes at 6. I invariably get up at 7. 3/4 am is early :)
My alarm goes off at 5:45, and I'm up by 6:00; which is why I try to be in bed no later than 10:00.
I wonder if I edit too much...hmm...probably not considering I'm still a beginner :P
Thank you, Rose!
Vivian Thompaon, my first writing mentor, liked to say that it takes two people to write a story: one to do the writing, and the other to hit them over the head with a hammer when they're finished [editing]. {wink, Smile}
I'm sure she didn't originate the saying, but I have no idea who she got it from. {SMILE}
I've been thinking about that one recently because my father has recently started "threatening" me with that hammer again. {SMILE}
Anne Elizabeth Baldwin
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