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Editing

I’ve tried–repeatedly–to figure out some method for editing my manuscripts. Not the line edits–word choice, sentence rhythm, the notes let’s say–years of writing poetry have helped me there. 

No, the story structure and chapter/scene level edits seem to well pick your cliche: slide through my fingers, something something wisp, something something phantom. 
I just can’t seem to get them to make any  sense in my head. 
There seem to be two major schools if thought: 
1. Print out your MS and mark it up with stickies and a pencil;
2. Draw pictures. 
Now. I’m bad with THINGS. I’ve spent the past five years of my life trying to get rid of objects. Data is fine! Virtual stuff–I can organize that. But give me a physical object and I’m frozen. 
And I’m a word person. That whole info graphic thing? It’s easier for me to read a spreadsheet. 
So, I’m a bit loath to print out a ton of paper. I’ve done it, but it’s just confusing me more. Also, reading a bunch of 8 1/2 x11s or A4s (work has accustomed me to translating to the British from the American) well, that’s unwieldy at best. 
But as always, Scrivener to the rescue! 
“What if,” I thought, “What if I made my first draft into a mobi. And sent it to my Kindle? And… Used my Kindle’s notes and highlights…?” 
Oh. Yes. That. 
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Editing update

I’m currently running Perdita through my writing group, and I have one set of notes from a beta reader. 

Overall, their observations are fairly consistent. 
I’m hoping to get another draft done in October but it may be better to wait until the group has finished it’s review. 
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Editing -Chapter 6

So I’ve split chapter five into two because of all the rewriting I’ve done to change the lead up to the ships. At this point I’m back closer to editing rather than writing new scenes or cutting 90% of what I have. Less than 20k words to go. I’ve done the hardest parts.

But I’m feeling stuck at the start of six. Did I get lost in the rewrite? Have my characters become different people? I’m not sure.

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Editing – chapter 2, second draft

As I logged all of my early NaNoWriMos to help me figure out what my process is, I probably should do that with the editing too.

The first draft of chapter one is done. Fairly happy with it, although I suspect there will be some issues with POV although I revised it.

Problem: Astrology.

It’s pretty clear to me that the world needs an astrology system that’s fairly integrated into their worldview.

Now–there’s a point in the story where there’s a bit of a deus ex machina–at the beginning, to set the story in motion. I could use a star chart as a more logical departure.

I’m not sure though–will this unnecessarily complicate the story? (probably not) Is it helpful? (unclear) Is my resistance mainly due to lazyness? (likely)

Sure, I can just add in some language here and there and explore the system in full in a later novella (which was kind of my original plan). But does that make the system part of their lives? It really should be….

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Editing updates

I’ve been editing the Perdita story for the past few days and what a difference practice makes!

Granted, it really really helps that it’s my own world, so historical accuracy isn’t really a problem. I suspect this may be why fantasy seems so appealing to new authors–no accountability to facts outside the story; and you can literally save the world.

Still–I’m looking over my paper copy and making pen edits and it’s really really easy.

But then again, I’ve had a lot of practice by now.

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Structure and subplot

Listed all the subplots within the 1950 manuscript.

Interesting — they are all about the collapse and loss of family. Inspired me for a couple more concrete details to add to the book in general.

However, it does not expose gaps as well as I had hoped.

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Editing and Research

Recent research has included:

  • The Street with No Name (for the 1950 story);
  • Guns of August/Tuchman (for the adventure story);
  • The Crimean War/Figes (for the adventure story);
  • Wish Me Luck (BBC series) (for the 1939 story);
  • Carve Her Name With Pride (film about Violette Szabo) (for the 1939 story).

I really could use some working titles here!

Current editing:

Still trying to understand the structure process. Getting lost in midsection (story-world). Next step: peel out individual subplots and character arcs to help see where they have holes.

Eventually, I really hope to get a story structure process together. It feels so mysterious.

Incoming:

Need more work and thought around either fantasy or sf story lines. Both are currently too thin and the character voices are not strong enough to talk me through.