Now that NaNoWriMo is finished, it's time to turn my mind back to editing. I had just started to edit one of my stories at the end of October, and I thought that I would continue that whilst writing something else. I realised very quickly that it wasn't going to happen. Still, another month of leaving it to sit won't have hurt it at all.
I'm after some recommendations, if any of you have any, as to some good books that might help with the editing process. I've got a ton of posts from around the web, saved in my editing folder but, faced with a mass of my words, I'm really struggling to know how to do this. I know that you should leave the small stuff until last. What's the use of correcting punctuation and deleting adjectives if you're going to rewrite great swathes of the story? Still, it's those little things that I find myself focusing on because I'm not exactly sure how to go about fixing the big picture.
What's frustrating me is that sometimes I'm sure there's a good story buried among the rubble, I'm just not sure how to find it. I'm scared I'm going to end up as one of those people who just write story after story, and never edit any of them. I have four now, and not one of them has had a proper edit. To steal someone else's analogy, I've painted all the bedrooms before I've built the staircases. Can anyone help me with a good carpenter?
I have "Revision and Self-Editing" by James Scott Bell. I haven't actually read this one book because I'm not quite there yet, but every book I've gotten from the Writers' Digest series has been really really good.
ReplyDeleteI'm finding Stephen King's "On Writing" both entertaining and instructional. Also, I've been told 'Bird by Bird' by Anne Lamont is pretty good.
ReplyDeleteOne of the better "how to" books I've read is "Bird by Bird." Great help in focusing on the now instead of the entire plate. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't recommend any books, but there are a few things I like to do when getting ready to revise and edit. Although I'm not an outliner when writing my first draft, I sometimes outline the book after its written. That helps me see problems in the construction.
ReplyDeleteFind a good outline technique for plot structure or story/character arc, and instead of using it to build a story, use it to analyze the story you've written -- see where it's weak and what might need to be re-organized.
And beta readers are invaluable. They can help you see what doesn't work and what does.
Then, I usually begin my revisions and edit while I do them. Hope that helps!
Try Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne and King. It's a great, fast read.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Story right now. It's designed for screen writing but I'm finding it very instructional for big picture type of editing.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any book recommendations. I sat with my editor on my first book and picked up a lot of things, and twice as many on the second book. Reminds me a lot of like having an English tutor.
ReplyDeleteI actually don't, but I have to say that Christina's book sounds like a good one! Usually when I'm editing I read a lot of just YA books and I keep a list of what I liked and didn't like. And then I try to find the 'didn't like' things in my own writing. Good luck with that.
ReplyDeleteI do go through my early drafts and take detailed notes about what needs to be revised. That has to be done first, then I use them as a guide to the revision. Maybe something like that would help?
ReplyDeleteYou're too cute! I wish I had an answer for you, but I will definitely watch the recommendations you get. I could use this information too! Good luck! :)
ReplyDeleteMichael Offutt has mentioned in his latest blog entry that it is actually worth while to have some one professional to do the editing. Check out his interview with an editor.
ReplyDeleteit's a popular analogy ;) I know I've used it myself ;)
ReplyDeleteby the way (points finger at self) I'm a good carpenter ;)
Good luck Sarah, I'm in the same boat as you.
ReplyDeleteGood luck Sarah, I'm in the same boat as you.
ReplyDeleteI think you should read one of the writing books suggested, pick your favorite wip so far, and dig in. You've got to experience that polished and finished feeling. It sounds as though you haven't, so I don't blame you for being frustrated. Without that Ta-Da! feeling writing "the end" means little. Pick a project and stick with it until the bitter end. If anything you'll learn that you can finish what you start!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I know what you mean - editing sucks, but I'm sure that you do have a good story in there. You just have to find it and clean it up to make it shine. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you for asking! Because I'd like to know myself. :) I'm going through the same process and really don't know where to begin. I do know that I plan on going through it a gazillion times. ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's anything wrong with starting with the small stuff. OK, spending hours on punctuation for a section you'll cut might no be the best use of your time, but it won't make the story any worse. You have to start somewhere - why not with the simpler problems, such as checking characters don't have unwanted name changes and that your timeline works. I find doing that gives me confidence to work on the bigger issues.
ReplyDeleteI've used "Revision and Self-Editing' by Bell. It's logical - which is useful when faced with an uninhibited manuscript.
ReplyDeleteps - just seen that someone else recommended this too! Two minds, and all that.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you can beat a fresh pair of eyes. Either let it stew for at least 3 months (if you can) or get some beta readers to have a read through. I can't say enough good things about my beta readers.
ReplyDeleteI don't have suggestions for books, but the way I edit is just read with a red pen in my hand. I'll happily change a punctuation mark in a paragraph that later on I decide to delete. In fact, the small stuff comes so naturally to me that I sometimes do it with novels I'm reading for fun! (I have issues lol)
ReplyDeletei haven't read it, but i've heard great things about this one:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Story-Structure----Demystified-ebook/dp/B0038M2ZVO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320847301&sr=8-1
I actually like Save the Cat. I forgot who wrote it. It helps me with the bare bones and structure the madness and work from there. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI find talking it through with a trusted significant other can help build the staircase because it helps you sort out what you are really aiming for in what you are writing in your own mind with feedback from the other person. I'd love to have a writing guru I could visit every week.
ReplyDeleteGood luck. I haven't got to editing stage yet so can't advise on books.
The books I like have already been mentioned. My best editing trick is to read the whole thing out loud. Works wonders for finding bad dialog, run on sentences, etc.
ReplyDeleteDon't sweat it! We have all felt this way! Just don't give up on yourself and keep learning. you will get there! I have faith in you! ^_^
ReplyDeleteI would hire an editor. There are affordable ones...the one that I use is one such person.
ReplyDelete"Save the Cat" by Sydney Blake for fixing big picture items.
ReplyDelete"Revision and Self-Editing" by James Scott Bell for both big and little picture things.
"Self-Editing for Fiction Writers" by Browne and King is very good at letting you know what to watch out for in your manuscript. The very first book I read on the subject.
"Story Engineering" by Larry Brooks. Good for overall story structure to make sure you are hitting all the story points at the right time.
Also, let some critique partners take a look at your work. A set of fresh eyes may tell you where to focus your efforts. I'd be happy to take a look if you feel so inclined, depending on your story's genre. (I would be terrible at romance, for instance.)
I think having some good beta readers or a critique group is a wonderful idea when editing. Keep in mind though it is still your story and you will get a lot of feedback.
ReplyDeleteI've never read any books specific to writing . . . but I just finished The Yahoo! Style Guide, which has some great editing tips, though part of it's about websites.
ReplyDeleteI usually finish my first draft and do a read through, changing little things along the way. Just simple things I can spot. Then I have a few betas look at it. Then when they point out a few plot problems that I can't see, I dive back in and fix those problems and edit grammar and find words that I tend to overuse and correct them. (even, just, stared, started, was. Lots of annoying words...) Then I do another beta round and finally go through and deepen my characters thoughts. Then one MORE read through and beta round and I'm usually done. :P I didn't start out editing this way. I sort of learned throughout the last few years to get fresh eyes to read my stuff. It really helps a TON. Betas are awesome. And editing gets easier as you go along. Good luck!! :D
ReplyDeleteEditors are the best carpenters. Hands down. Or betas, when you can find them. A pair of fresh eyes will work wonders. :)
ReplyDeleteDo what you can first. If the little stuff is what you can do? Then do it.
ReplyDeleteTry to polish up your first chapter or two and then get someone else's take on them.
Someone who knows you, who will give your ego a boost. THEN send it to a writer friend.
I find that I learn SO much from new people critiquing, that it helps with everything else.
Good luck!!
Wow, everyone's given you great advice. I think it's great you've written four manuscripts. It's so hard for me to get words out without editing myself as I write. So you've got me beat there.
ReplyDeleteWow, everyone's given you great advice. I think it's great you've written four manuscripts. It's so hard for me to get words out without editing myself as I write. So you've got me beat there.
ReplyDeleteI don't know any good books... I tend to work on my outline as I rewrite, tweaking and then the critique partners come into play... But sounds like there are a lot of good recommendations... I've read Stephen King's On Writing and it's a great book.
ReplyDeleteI edit (to an extent) as I go along too and I don;t sweat it. But developing and filling out the story always come first. And hiring an editor is vital. Let them handle all the nit picky stuff. That's what they get paid to do.
ReplyDeleteI actually love to edit. I don't know why. I've read some great books to help, Structure and Plot being the first real eye-opener for me. Keep writing, and give editing a shot. :) It's not so bad.
ReplyDeleteI love Stephen Kings, On Writing, but i can't remember if he gives editing information in it.
ReplyDeleteThe way I edited my work was to do it in stages. It went something like this - 1st run through was timeline, 2nd was plot holes, 3rd was character building... I can't remember without looking back at my list, what went next, but I did all those building things before doing the functional editing of words and sentences, but if I did see them during the previous read throughs I would change them rather than leave them.
Lots of luck with it. You will find your own groove.
And I guess I say, HOW FANTASTIC that you have four stories!!!! This spoken from a person who loves edits and not first drafts!
ReplyDeleteCristina - This is the first book on my 'check these out' list, thank you :-)
ReplyDeleteFairview - I need to reread King. Thanks for the recommendation.
David - Added to the list, thank you :-)
Dianne - I like this idea, I'm going to try it. Thank you.
The East Coaster - Added. Thanks for the suggestion.
Johanna - Having trouble finding it. Could you tell me the author? Thanks for the suggestion.
SBJones - I like that idea. Is that unusual practice for an editor?
Erin - That's a good idea, thank you.
Joanne - I can certainly try, thanks :-)
Leigh - There are some good suggestions here. Hope they help you too :-)
Munir - I checked out Michael's post. He definitely makes a good case.
1000th Monkey - I'm trying to get this in a reasonable enough state to send it to you :-)
Melanie F - Thanks, and I wish you luck too :-)
ReplyDeleteEmily - You're right. I need to prove to myself that I can actually get to the end of something :-)
Krista - Thank you for the encouragement. It's definitely appreciated.
Ruth - I hope some of the suggestions here help you too, and good luck!
Patsy - Thank you for this. I hadn't thought of it like that. Confidence would be good :-)
Jo - More than one recommendation for a particular book makes me happy. Thank you :-)
Rebecca - I keep thinking it has to be polished as much as possible before anyone sees it. Maybe I should let go earlier :-)
Annalisa - I'm beginning to think that it's okay to start with the small stuff :-)
Vic - Added to my list. Thanks Vic :-)
Elizabeth A - I've heard good things about this one. Thanks for the reminder :-)
Madeleine - Oh yes, a writing guru would be awesome :-)
Julie F - I was going to read aloud on the last run through. Maybe I should do it first?
Jen B - Aww, that was a lovely thing to read. Thank you.
Michael - I wrote this before I read your post. You make a lot of sense.
Ken - Thank you for the suggestions. That last one hasn't been mentioned yet. Once the MS is less of a mess, I may be looking for new eyes :-)
ReplyDeleteJosh - I agree, and as soon as the thing makes sense all the way through, I'll be on the lookout :-)
Golden Eagle - I'll be checking this one out, thanks.
Chantele - Thank you so much for this. I'm starting to realise that I need to involve others earlier than I first thought.
Melodie - Judging from the comments, I think you're right. Thank you :-)
Jolene - This helps a lot. Thank you.
Rebecca - Thank you. I'd love to be able to edit as I write :-)
Tania - Oh yes. I love 'On Writing'.
Stephen - I'm starting to suspect I'll definitely need to do this.
April - I'm glad there are people who enjoy editing - I might need one of them later :-)
Rebecca - I like the idea of focusing on one thing at a time. Makes it seem more manageable :-)
Christina - You've made my day, thank you!
One of the best editing books out there is 'Self Editing for Fiction Writers' (Browne & King). This book taught me a lot about revision.
ReplyDelete2 more books I have recently that might also help with your 'find the story in the murk' issue is Save the Cat (Snyder) & Writing Screenplays that Sell (Hauge--newest Edition). These are both screenplay books but don't let that turn you off--no one knows how to find the heart of a story like a screenwriter. Both of these are really excellent for finding and understanding story structure. :)
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
One of these hasn't been mentioned yet, so I've added it to my list. Thanks Angela :-)
ReplyDelete