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Tag: Revision Hell

Surviving Revision Hell – Editing My Novels

Posted on May 28, 2013November 3, 2014 by LJ

When I started this journey, I had no idea it would be so hard to write a book. I thought I'd sit down and the novel would just flow from my fingertips onto the page in perfect order and sequence. Actually, writing a first draft is much easier for me than editing, outlining, doing character charts, re-writing and all the other more disciplined aspects of the craft.

I love attending writers conferences, attending and/or listening to tapes of seminars, reading writing books, and learning how to create suspense, write better dialogue, a page turner or a better plot. I don't mind and even enjoy whipping out a first draft as fast as I can so that my inner editor doesn't have a chance to kick in and give me writers block. I can find the discipline for that – especially during events like National November Writing Month when I can share the experience and commiserate with fellow writers in cafes and online.

What I can't stand is even the very thought of taking what I wrote, breaking it down and revising it. In other words – editing. Even though, logically, I know the editing process is when the book really begins to take shape, I get completely overwhelmed by the process. You can have a four hundred page manuscript and discover during the editing process that you need to rewrite and/or rework all of it. The very thought of that makes me want to run from the room screaming which is probably why it takes me so long to do it. I can write the first draft of a book in a month and then take years to revise it. In short, I have a hard time getting and keeping my considerable behind in front of my keyboard long enough to do the work of editing.

The worst part is that, even when you think you're done editing the book, someone with fresh eyes can read it and say that your characters need more depth, the novel is too plot-driven, or you need to pick up the pace. None of these defects are quick fixes. They take substantial work to fix – sometimes even a complete re-write.

Although many writers hate editing, there are some who love it. They like the fact that revision is when you add texture and layers to a scene, spruce up dialogue, cut out excessive backstory and scenes that don't move the story along, fix plot issues and sequencing errors, and improve pacing, among other things. Even I have to admit that my novels benefit tremendously from editing and that I can see major improvement from one draft to the next.

What I need to remember is that editing is just as much a part of writing a book as whipping out a first draft. One might say that editing is the most quintessential part of the writing process because you never really stop doing it. You edit the draft, most likely revising it three or more times before sending it out to agents (the first time for story, the second time for texture, characterization, pace and flow, the third for prose, grammar, spelling, rhythm, etc.). Once you get an agent, he or she might ask you to revise parts of the book to get it ready for pitching to editors. Once a publisher acquires the book or you hire an editor before self-publishing, the editor might ask you to make some revisions. A copy editor will have some additional corrections.

Since the revision process is a crucial part of writing a novel and is almost never-ending, I need to change my mindset about it. If I don't, I'll never find the discipline to do it properly and my books will suffer or, worse yet, not sell. So, I'm going to try to look at editing as an opportunity to turn my novels into bestsellers. Maybe that will help me plant my rear-end in front of my computer and get it done on a more timely basis. Wish me luck.

Peace

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Posted in WritingTagged Discipline to Edit, editing process, first draft, National November Writing Month, Revision Hell, writers conferencesLeave a Comment on Surviving Revision Hell – Editing My Novels

Nanowrimo (National November Writing Month) 2011

Posted on October 16, 2011November 3, 2014 by LJ

It's almost that time of the year again when maniacs all over the world sign up on a website (www.nanowrimo.org) and vow to write a 50,000 word novel between November 1st and November 30th.    And when I say all over the world, I mean all over the world.  There are Wrimos (Nanowrimo participants) in Africa (including, but not limited to, Israel and other countries in the Middle East), Asia, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and God only knows where else.

On one hand, I can hardly believe that an entire year has passed since Nanowrimo (National November Writing Month) 2010.  On the other hand, I can barely remember what I wrote during the last Nanowrimo. That's probably because this year, after writing a draft of my fourth book during the month of November, I worked hard at rewriting my first book – a “romantic” suspense novel – increasing it from 57,000 words to a full length single title manuscript of 94,000 words.  My reasons for putting the word romantic in quotes is the subject of future posts.

Normally, I write a book during Nanowrimo and then refuse to touch or even look at it again during any other month of the year.  This year, I was determined to break that cycle and complete a polished full-length novel that I could submit to agents and editors.  Thanks to seminars called “Fast Draft” and “Revision Hell” given by an author named Candace Havens, among others, I am well on my way to achieving that goal.  I'll tell you more about those seminars in future posts.

Although I have been participating in Nanowrimo since 2007 and have managed to “win” every year by whipping out 50,000 words, I think this will be my most challenging year ever.  I have a mediation and a trial scheduled to take place in November.  I am a member of a gospel choir that is now in “concert mode” for  an upcoming performance in December at the Arscht Center in Miami, Florida (with Take 6 and the Miami Mass choir) and I have embarked on a professional campaign that has me attending and participating in all sorts of events, lunches, meetings, conferences, etc. in addition to my normal job duties.  Needless to say I am a tad bit busier than I normally am this time of year.

With all of that being said, I am determined to whip out another book and win Nanowrimo once again this year because, well, I am a writer, and as the head of my writers group likes to say: “writers write.”

One of the secrets to being a successful author is to be prolific.  For me, that means I have to write at least one book a year.  I hope to increase that to two or more novels a year, but I need to start somewhere.  My goal for this year is to write a new first draft of a novel and to complete revising two of the novels I have written already.  It sounds daunting I know, but I've already gotten further than I ever have before in revising my first book.

If you think you have a novel in you, you should participate in Nanowrimo this year.  The accountability inherent in the program together with the pep talks, the resources on the Nanowrimo website and the fellowship with other writers is invaluable.  That's why I'm able to write first drafts of novels during the month of November.  Pick up a copy of Chris Baty's book No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days  and sign up on the Nanowrimo website.  You'll be that much further to making your dream a reality.

My handle on Nanowrimo is Candique.  If you sign up, you can make me one of your buddies.  I'll be happy to support you every step of the way.  Let me know how it goes.

Peace

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Posted in WritingTagged agents, Candace Havens, Candique, Chris Baty, concert mode, editors, Fast Draft, gospel choir, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days, Nanowrimo, National November Writing Month, No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress, novel, Revision Hell, romantic suspense, Take 6, www.nanowrimo.orgLeave a Comment on Nanowrimo (National November Writing Month) 2011

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