Also, don't forget... In celebration of finishing up Savage Bytes and Jungle Heat's recent release, I'm going to do a giveaway of one (maybe two depending on how many comments I get this week) of your choice of either Techno Crazed or Jungle Heat if you leave a comment. You'll get one extra entry for each of the following, follow the blog, follow my Twitter @sarahmakela, and Tweet or Retweet. (Please let me know in the comment, if you do the extra entries.) I'll pick the winner(s) next Friday!
Anyways, I used to think of revising as going to line one, sentence one and line-editing straight on through. Maybe doing that multiple times, and boom! Done! Not anymore. I've actually developed a system. Something, if you follow my blog, know is pretty rare for me. Still, revisions are intense. They tend to take me a little longer to complete (probably also due to the fact that I don't read at super speed like some people *winks*).
I do have to admit though. I'm beginning to slowly find them easier, especially now that I have a system, which is fairly new since I only started with it at the beginning of this year. Another thing is I'm also less intimidated by the process of going through the book and making it shine. In fact, some days I prefer it to writing, but then again, I think that switches whenever I'm doing one or the other. I've had days where I'd prefer to write than edit. Usually when I'm to the point where I'm revising, I don't have time to let myself go with whims and fancies. :-) By that point, I've used up those privileges.
Anyways, here's my revision process. Hopefully it helps!
- I print out the entire story and then wince because I'm not a fan of using lots of paper. (Although, it doesn't work as well for me when reading over the manuscript on screen the first time.)
- I grab some post-it notes, a pen, and my manuscript.
- Read over the manuscript making notes about major things that bug me. (Step away from the typos and grammar! It's not time for that yet.)
- Once I'm done with that, I implement the changes for the notes I made and kick myself for making so many great catches.
- Next, I do line edits.
- Sending it off to a critique partner is an awesome idea. Although, sometimes it's not possible due to deadlines and schedules.
- Also, if there's extra time, I'll either put the story through a text-to-speech program to have it read to me, or I'll read it work out loud. I've tried it and caught errors doing so. Although, after a while my tongue started tripping over words. lol
So, that's my process! What's yours? Do you have tips for making it through revisions (somewhat) painlessly?
I pretty much use the same process. I hate wasting paper too, but I really need to see it printed out before I can go to town on the edits. This is only in my own work though - in anyone else's I'm perfectly fine inserting comments in Word.
ReplyDeleteTo help cut down on paper usage, I go from double spaced to space and a half, and I print double sided. It's a little thing, but it makes me feel better about those poor, sacrificed tress. :-)
Oh, I almost forgot. I'm already a follower, but I'm following you on Twitter now as well. Now please excuse me while I go tweet this post. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, C R! That's really cool that you use the same process! Yeah, when I do mine, I do 2 pages per sheet, pretty much like printing on both sides, except it's squished in a little on the front. If I had a printer that did both sides without driving me crazy, I'd definitely do that. lol
ReplyDeleteGreat! Thanks for letting me know about the contest stuff. :-D
Yep, I hate wasting paper also. But I am a visual person. So printing out my MS really helps me to see the edits I need to revise. Thanks for the blog!
ReplyDeleteI am impressed by the quality of information on this website. There are a lot of good resources here. I am sure I will visit this place again soon.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Ami! Thanks for commenting! I agree. I must be visual too since it really works. I'm able to catch things better on paper than on the screen most the time.
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