Wednesday, June 30, 2010

What I Should Have Done

Editing and revisions. Oh how I wish I knew then what I know now. Things would have gone smoother. Less caffeine induced comas, I'd have more of my hair and fewer sleepless nights.

This is what I will not do the next time I reach the wonderful 'The End' of a first draft.
  • Print it out to 'really see how long it is'.
  • Scribble all over it in red pen doing a line edit. (Yes, I did that. On my first novel, ever. Bad idea.)
  • Proclaim to the world that I've finished the first draft, caring family will ask to read it. You'll freak and realize it's not worthy.
  • Tell yourself you'll write those missing scenes later. (That's why I still had a missing scene in my third draft.)
This is the method I think will work for me:
  • Do take a break. At least stand up and stretch. 5 minutes or 5 days, I don't care. Take a break.
  • Read through. (Not sure on this one, might skip. We'll see.)
  • Break out the boards! (Also known as grids and post-its) You know you've been looking forward to this!
  • Fill and fix any plot holes/problems the boards show you. (You're allowed to fix grammar etc. errors as you go.)
  • Read through. (No skipping!) Take notes on any problems, etc.
  • Line-edit. Also time to send to a macro reader. Micro reader gets it after you finished your micro edit. (Might want to actually have crit partners by this point. Might be helpful ya know.)
  • Make any necessary changes. Repeat as needed.
  • Read through again while writing queries.
  • Queries away! (No stalling, get it out there!
We'll see how it goes. I have to finish the first draft, first of course. :D

2 comments:

  1. Too logical for me. I tend to just write and then go back and correct it all.

    Good list though.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yeah. My brain loves the logic. Until it overloads and says screw it.

    ReplyDelete