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Revising/Editing Advice and Links

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  • Idesto
    Member
     
    January 26, 2016

    Well said. I'm still gutted he's gone.

  • Okan-Zeeus
    Member
     
    January 26, 2016

    The biggest thing I do for edits: wait.

    Let the writing sit for a while (preferably a few weeks), then come back to it with a fresh mind and new perspectives. Once you've had some time away from your writing, you're more likely to notice things that need changing.

    The whole process ends up taking longer, but it's well worth it. Quality isn't something you can rush.

  • Idesto
    Member
     
    January 26, 2016

    Doesn't work for me Okan! I think I must write more 'in the moment'. To be honest, when I've read back my earlier stuff I don't see much at all that I would change. 

    If I was a professional or full-time writer writing a big novel this approach would probably be best, but our format is one of serialisations & is - for me, for now - just a hobby. I think it comes down to whatever works best for the individual.

  • Okan-Zeeus
    Member
     
    January 26, 2016
    That's true, we all basically post the equivalent of first or second draft manuscripts here. But that doesn't dodge the effect it has on the quality of our writing. Remember, though, I'm the guy who WANTS to write professionally. Any advice I give is going to reflect that. :)
  • Exuro
    Member
     
    January 26, 2016

    We have quiet a few approaches here.

    How would you all say you spend time and effort on big-picture (pacing, continuity, character responses, etc.) vs detail (typos, grammar, word choice, etc.)?

  • Sotek
    Member
     
    January 26, 2016

    That’s it in a mudcrab shell basically isn’t it? Why do we write? As Okan has stated, his drive is to write professionally. As such he pulls all the strings he can to increase his chapters to their full potential. My drive is vastly different.

    While I strive for quality I also am driven by speed. This is more of a curse for me and my readers as quality suffers for it but then this comes down to the fact that I try to have something to read to my wife the next day.

    Different circumstances altogether.

    This reflects on all of us in one way or another. We all have ourt reasons and each one will have limits to what we can do and what we won't with regards to quality.

  • Okan-Zeeus
    Member
     
    January 26, 2016
    Well, the most I've learned applies to novel writing. DOTE, though, has had a different process.

    All major changes to plot and pacing are done as I go or in post. It just goes back to my idea of waiting. For instance, when I first started writing DOTE, Arc 2 was actually going to have Chase, Dar, and Reinhardt together... on Solstheim. XD

    Eventually, though, I had to create more realistic expectations for the story. A lot of the plot has simply changed and evolved over time as I come up with new, better ideas. It's what you'd call 'discovery writing.'


    It's hard to say exactly HOW I conduct my edits, frame by frame. I just have to set aside time to do it.

    One way to edit big-picture, as I know it, is to make edits after the story is DONE. Then can you truely see the forest as a whole. This is what professional authors do.

    You can try to plan your story in advance, but not all writers do that. Moreover, all the planning in the world won't guarantee a clean first draft.

    I've heard of the formula: Second Draft = First Draft - 10%. The basic idea is that your edits should trim and cut, rather than add or bloat.

    Grammar stuff is also more easily fixed in post. You're more likely to notice your mistakes. It can be tedious, editing line by line through the whole thing. But there's no shortcut. It all depends on how much you're willing to do.

    The rest just... comes from intuition and experience. Read other works. Learn from them.

    And keep writing. Revel in the simple joys of storytelling. That's what matters most.
  • Sotek
    Member
     
    January 26, 2016

    I'm not sure how to answer this one. I form a plot and my characters ignore it.

    Seriousely though, I do what ever it takes to get the chapter done. Take my BMR chapters. I can only write them at the moment when I have Morrowind playing in front  of me.

    I do have a list of words which I've fallen foul of. What I do before posting is check using the 'replace' feature and go through the whole chapter with each word. Double spacing's are on the list as well.

    I have to agree though reading aloud is a key point to editing. Even if it's to yourself.

  • Exuro
    Member
     
    January 26, 2016

    That's comforting to hear. I do plan a lot of my story ahead, but the outline has changed SO much from when I first started. I have a pilot chapter from the very beginning that takes place late in the main story. I'm purposely not back editing anything in it, so that when I finally reach that point, I can see how far the story and my writing have evolved.

    Sotek, I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel like I'm pointing at my notes yelling:

    "Do you see this bullet point!" and they just stick their tongue out and do their own thing.

  • Sotek
    Member
     
    January 26, 2016

    Second Draft = First Draft - 10%. The basic idea is that your edits should trim and cut, rather than add or bloat.

    This don't necceserily have to be the case though. One factor which affects me is the case that my ability has improved since I wrote my first drafts.

    Take chapter 104. It was 3700 words when I wrote it two years back. Now though it stands at 2680. The catch however is that I've split the chapter into two since I edited it for the blog. They now stand at 2680 and 2276. I've still 1500 words of the second section to edit.

    I have often heard of the same formula. Second Draft = First Draft - 10%.

    As of yet all I seem to do is Second Draft = First Draft + 200%

    I'll get there one day...


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