Oh, this is good stuff by Susan! One of the things she wanted me to mention is, like with all editors, authors have feedback on all suggestions – because that is what they are, suggestions. But, as evidenced by this edit, Editors really know what they are doing, and it has to be something I feel strongly about if I am going to disagree. Great job on this piece, SK! I’m going to accept changes, make a few more tweaks and it’ll go in the hopper! Chapter 2.1 Rough Draft C with SKD line edits. “It just feels like running to me, Greg, and the truth is…I never run.” [SKD: I had to read this sentence over a couple of times before it sank in that she wasn’t […]
Read the RestTag Archives | Editing Basics
Chapter 2.1 MacKenzie SMW comments on RH edits
As usual, RH did a superb job of going through this – not only catching some deep POV fixes, but also some structural issues to do with her filmmaking, etc. Note the discussion about using senses to create a picture of the emotion the POV character is feeling, also. It so helps to have another set of eyes, doesn’t it? Note too, there were a couple suggestions RH made that I may incorporate into the next draft, as I clean it up. Then I’ll hand it to SK, and let the polisher at it! RH comments highlighted in green, SMW comments highlighted in yellow, and new changes in RED. As always – if you have any questions, head over to VOICES! Chapter 2.1 Rough Draft B “It just feels like running […]
Read the RestStrengthening a scene vs. rearranging words?
Now, what is the difference between strengthening a scene and re-arranging the words? Strengthening a scene is discovering the emotional significance to the scene, the way it will affect the overall book, and milking it for the reader. Using setting and dialogue and body language and disappointment and WORDS to cut to the heart of a character. Let’s take a look at the editing process in an actual scene. Below are three excerpts…the original, the edit, and the final product. See if you can see how I applied my editing checklist to strengthen the scene. This is the prologue from In Sheep’s Clothing. Prologue Five more minutes and she would be safe. Gracie Benson hunched her shoulders and pulled the woolly brown scarf over her […]
Read the RestEditing – finding that angel in the marble
I saw the angel in the marble…and I carved until I set him free… Michelangelo Editing, in my opinion, is the fun part of writing. You already have the rough draft nailed down, and now you’re going to hone it, add all those things that will make it sparkle – carve it until you see that masterpiece you’ve been trying to create. For me, there are three phases to writing a book: Creating – the Discovery of the story/senes. Again, keep a notebook of all the things you want to put in it later…during the… Revision phase – It’s the phase where I hone the theme and add special elements, like the five senses, or thematic metaphors. I draw out scenes that need to be longer, shorten ones […]
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