 This past week, I've been taking a fine tooth comb to my current manuscript, sorting through the fodder to uncover the gold. It is a tedious task. It reminds me of something author Shannon Hale said: Working on a first draft is like "shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build sandcastles." I believe at the end of this process, I will need a stronger eyeglass prescription. However, my pain is your gain. Each go through of the manuscript brings me closer to the story I want. I hope these tips are useful. Here are five important items on my editing checklist.  1. Three or more read-throughs to flesh out the story. You don't really know your story until you get to the end. Sometimes the REAL story doesn't show for several read-throughs. The plot is not the story. Listen to Martin Scorsese explain this. 2. Pluck out filter words (see, watch, look, seem, like, feel, just, that, so, then, etc.). I go through my manuscript once for each of these. I might seek out more than a dozen filter words. Utilize your software's find/replace. (I keep a list of filter words on Scrivener's Scratch Pad.) 3. Review each character for consistency in tone, physical features, word choice, background, and history. That's a read-through for each. This might be another ten or twelve reads of the story, depending on the number of characters. Each time I read with that character in mind, I consider her arc and backstory; I view her as the hero of her own story. This will strengthen the entire novel.  4. Observe the settings for consistency in descriptions, distance irregularities, and vivid portrayals. Consider Hemingway and Steinbeck. Their settings become characters in their stories.
5. Review use of language. Look for: overuse of idioms, use of clichés (yikes!), inappropriate synonyms, repeated words, useless words. (This might take three times, but this is the heart of your writing. If you can master use of language in your manuscripts, you will write prose that flows like silk.) One more: Read your story as someone else. First, you'll need to put your manuscript away for a week or two (more if you can bear it). Next, consider your readers; who are they? what do they look like? Embody that reader, and enjoy your story for the first time. The best way to do this is by downloading a word document and emailing it to your Kindle App. Reading your story on an eReader highlights things you might never notice on your laptop or desktop. (Beta readers and critique partners are great here, too.) If you've been counting, you'll see I read through my manuscript up to thirty or more times. I never get bored. If I do, I need to go back and fix that. I would love to hear what you have on your editing checklist. Please share below. Write on!
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 First, some exciting news: I had a full request from a lovely agent! Very exciting, and a long time coming. If you want to read the opening to ON THE ROAD TO MARTY MCFLY, I'd love your feedback, too!
While I avoid stalking my inbox, I'm catching up on some great books. There are so many super YA novels out and a few I missed. For your interest, I've started a review page. Check it out! Share your opinions, too, please :) Besides juicy stories, I've been re-reading some writing books that have me thinking about my habits. I wonder which of these are important to you and which one's I'm missing. Here's my to do list top ten (in Late Night order) if I were starting out today: 10. Join Twitter. Set up an account that is public where you focus almost solely on writing topics. You can get personal, but consider it an extension of your workspace. 9. Participate in Twitter. That means, find chats, socialize with others in the industry. Don't stalk agents, but do follow them, so you can learn. 8. Join a professional group. You will connect with others in your genre, learn about workshops, and create lasting friendships. Try these: romance writers; children or young adult writers; sci-fi and fantasy writers; steampunk; mystery. 7. Write. We can't travel too far down this list without mentioning craft. It's so important to establish a routine. Whether it means writing for thirty minutes everyday on your lunch break or getting up an hour early while the house is quiet, you must write. Every. Day. Try these tips. 6. Read. Read like you write like you breathe. Read what you live, but most definitely read what you write. If you write picture books, read the best and worst of them, so you know what little readers like. And don't just read for fun, read with purpose. When I started studying other YA like they were textbooks, I learned so much about my audience. Join me on Goodreads where you can find lists of great books and insightful reviews. 5. Study. These books are not novels. These are books on craft. There are so many out there. I recommend three to start with: On Writing by Stephen King, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, and Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. Read about them on Goodreads; start with one. 4. Find your voice. Anyone can write a story. No one can write it like you. What makes you stand out as a writer is voice. How do you find yours? Go back to #7 and #5. Write and study writing. You will find your voice. Listen to author Cory Putman Oakes. 3. Find your story. Anyone can write a story. No one can write yours. You've heard the adage--write what you know. Well, what do you know? Losing someone? Laughing until you pee your pants? Moving three times before puberty? Feeling incredible unrequited love? Listen to the master, Neil Gaiman, on this. 2. Support and connect with other writers. Join a writing group; find critique partners; nurture those relationships. We can learn so much from each other. 1. Shameless plug: sign up for my free newsletter (up there on your right) and never miss another great writing tip! What's on your writer's to do list? I'd love to know. Please share below and continue the conversation. Write on!   This week, I await agent responses to queries of my YA contemporary, ON THE ROAD TO MARTY MCFLY, and fixes from my editor for my WIP, STARS IN MY POCKET. So, of course, I'm plotting a new YA series. Not only have I decided to tackle a series, but I'm jumping genres into Mysteries. I find this very exciting but extremely intimidating. I won't say more about the premise or potential plots as I'm in the early planning stages. However, I have had tons of fun developing my characters. In a series, you need characters waiting in the wings for the next book. Think of popular YA series books like HARRY POTTER, PERCY JACKSON, THE HUNGER GAMES, or DIVERGENT. It's clear the authors planned longer plot lines out before the first novel sat on bookshelves. Plots don't run on their own. You need characters. My writing style seeks character before plot. So I'm busy crafting these people who will soon walk and talk about the pages of my stories. Making up a character is harder than it sounds. Making up a believable and relatable one is even trickier. Fortunately, there are many resources available to writers. I'd like to share my favorites with you. THE POSITIVE and NEGATIVE TRAITS THESAURUSES by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi These books are invaluable as are the two authors. Angela and Becca run the WritersHelpingWriters website, which features numerous useful articles on the craft. Each thesaurus features dozens of personality traits to mix and match, including detailed analyses of root causes, associated behaviors, ideas for overcoming the flaw or other traits that might cause conflict. Couple these books with THE EMOTIONAL THESAURUS, and you will have the necessary tools to create real characters.  SAVE THE CAT by Blake Snyder To me, the penultimate outliner for new writers. Snyder offers a simple set of "beats" to create a forward-moving plot. He does not ignore character, and that's why I include his book here. Some blame him for oversimplifying the storywriting process. To that, I say, "thank you!". Read this "beatsheet" breakdown of the movie/book GONE GIRL for an idea of how character development and plot are intertwined. Although Snyder died in 2009, his ideas continue to be shared. Peruse the site, buy his books, Google related articles. You will not be disappointed. Here's one article on the site: In "Character Pitfalls," Author Kristen Higgins reminds us "The story is the vehicle for the character." I will share more another time on how "Save the Cat" saved my writing. What are your go-to resources for character development? What questions do you have? Let's talk. Share your comments or insights below. Write on! |
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