So, it's been busy up here in the vast Canadian landscape, and an entire week was swallowed by the time bandits. Plus I've had a friend visiting for the past several days and we have been very busy goofing off.
Now, when we were last on the blog we had a great introduction to the levels of editing that can be done by a professional editor. Great stuff! But, how can we, as writers, self edit to our greatest advantage? Enter Maggie Toussaint and her article on how to build a better story using the skills and craft of editing.
Let's meet Maggie:
A scientist by training, a romanticist at heart, Maggie Toussaint loves to solve puzzles. Whether it’s the puzzle of a relationship or a who-dun-it, she tackles them all with equal aplomb and wonder. Maggie’s cozy mystery from Five Star, IN FOR A PENNY, is about a terrible golfer trying to save her best friend from a murder rap. Her three other published works are romantic suspense books, one of which won Best Romantic Suspense in the 2007 National Readers Choice Awards. Her day jobs include freelancing for a weekly paper and leading a yoga class. Visit her at http://www.maggietoussaint.com/.
Build a better story through editingEdit mode. Some dread it. Some embrace it. Bottom line is that we all have to do it, even seasoned pros. Most authors follow a systematic process while editing their works of fiction. Here’s what I do, though it is by no means the only way to polish your work.
Elements of good writing must fit together seamlessly. Here are a few considerations: smooth transitions, character-specific dialogue, layering action tags to show the story, reducing backstory to non-impedable bits, and strengthening point of view. The nuts and bolts of character arcs and plot have to mesh too.
For me, editing comes down to layers of the book. First I check to make sure the story underpinning is strong. Once I’m satisfied, I make adjustments to the top layer. Both levels of editing help make your story and your voice unique.
Plot secures the story foundation. Reduce your story to one question. Mentally ask this question of every scene in your book. If you can’t come up with a related answer based on the scene’s content, you may need to strengthen your plot. Scenes and chapters should build upon each other.
Next, step into each POV character’s head and read only their scenes in the book. This tightens voice and eliminates repetitions. For the story to work, the main character(s) must change in some way over the course of the book.
When the plot and character arcs are satisfactory, turn your attention to the finer points. At first glance this may seem overkill, since the story already works, but this extra editing stage can make the difference between a rejection letter or The Call. Don’t skimp on effort here.
Editing books and editing systems abound. I’ve had great success with Margie Lawson’s EDITS system (http://www.margielawson.com/) and with Browne and King’s Self-Editing for Fiction Writers and Roerden’s Don’t Sabotage your Submission. Whatever system you decide upon, one of these or some other method, stick with it. Iron out exposition, telling scenes, clunky dialogue, droopy pacing, generic settings, and clichéd emotions and you’ll have a story that leaps off the pages.
Afterwards, let the book rest. The interval of rest is dependent on how long it takes you to view the book objectively again, whether it’s a week, a month, or a quarter of a year.
Finally, read your story aloud. Though everything seemed perfect before, this auditory stage can identify things you might have otherwise missed.
Although edit is a four-letter word, it can make a huge difference in the quality of your writing. Well-edited books separate professionals from amateurs. Good writing rises above the slush pile and ultimately attracts the kind of attention every author covets – publication.
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I so agree with Maggie. Editing, like writing, is a stewed dish. You can't rush it, rather you need to take the time, not only to perform the work, but to let the whole thing simmer together over time before you revisit it. Fresh eyes are important! I was e-mailing with my NYC editor and she had to deliver the "bad" news that we would have to delay starting work on my novel for about a month. While we were both a tiny bit bummed about that, she pointed out that this afforded me more time to step back from my book and be able to come to it with fresh eyes once the process began.
Being able to distance your self emotionally from your work may sound difficult, but it is a crucial step on the road to being published. Writing is, above all, an intellectual pursuit.
I bid you good writing.
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