Changes, They're a-Coming

It's time for me to jump into the editing phase of my novel with both feet.

I found a some great information on how go back through and see what's working and what is not. It's from my favorite how-to tome, Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell. He gave a comprehensive list of what to look for when editing. He suggests making sure each scene has sufficient conflict, that each chapter ends with a hook/cliffhanger, that all the dialogue is snappy and either reveals character or conflict. He really focuses on scene cohesiveness, too. That's something I've never really bothered to try to envision as I write, so it's a new challenge, a skill I'd like to develop.

Meanwhile, I guess I'll share what has been helpful to me in the past. When I finish a draft, I will often put it in single space format (to save paper) and print it out, single sided. Then I take it down to my local (favorite!) print shop and get it spiral bound and put a colored cover on either side. I make sure to put several pages of blank paper on either end, for notes. Then, I get out my pen and begin to read.

Experts suggest the first re-read should be fast, just taking in the whole overall story for flow and plot holes. If something isn't working, experts say you can just make a mark in the margin or circle the lame text. I can't do that very well. If I have a thought about how to fix it, I feel like if I don't note it clearly at the moment, there's a dang good chance I'll forget forever. So, I only go through at a moderate pace and mark everything I see that needs help.

The reason I only print on one side of the page is I use the facing blank page to make all my rewrite notes. It helps to have it right there and written out as much as I can as I strike while the iron is hot.

For this draft I will ask them to put a different cover on it than hot pink. Hot pink was a previous draft print-out's color. Then I don't get them confused. (A common occurrence, I hate to admit.) It also gives me a kind of a sense of progress, like, "Well, in the pink draft I was too wordy. I went through and slashed a ton of pointless words. Now in the lime green one I am focusing on characterization, getting their voices solid." And so on.

Pink, lime green, bright colors. This calls for taffy.