Not a question, just a banging the head against a wall moment I wished to share.
I knew my book was too long so I went through a series of very heavy edits to strip out the unnecessary. I took out whole characters in my need to slim down my opus. Finally I came to the conclusion the book had to be split into two. Having done that I now find dozens of continuity issues and conversations which relate to absolutely nothing in book two. Previously well-rounded characters are shadows of their former selves. I'm so annoyed with myself. Fortunately I keep everything I take out in deadfiles so I'm now going to read through my deadfiles and put it all back in... because I didn't have anything better to be doing this week! Grrrr!
When editing, always remember not to cut the book out of the book!
That landmarks idea is a good one, Adrian. I think I could use it on my next book, but not on the series. This particular storyline would have too many landmarks. In fact, I've just applied the idea to my first book and there are twice the number of landmarks as there are chapters. My chapters are quite episodic in that they have their own storyline which peaks and troughs a few times before resolution. I've used that to regulate pace.
Although I do use a similar method as I cut each chapter. I give each section of narrative and dialogue in the chapter a name and write down how many pages it takes up. That way I can spot over-long scenes and cut them. (I originally had a tendancy to make arguments and other long dialogue scenes go on far past the point of usefulness.) It's a system that works, but somehow I've cut too much character information.
Thanks for the comiserations, folks. Vxx
Hi Victoria.
You should landmark your novel before making savage cuts.
For example, a novel could have twelve chapters and twelve dramatic events. You would then select the strongest five or six as landmarks. These landmarks will obviously have the strongest links to the plot and storyline.
See how the landmarks link throughout your novel. Landmarks should serve to stengthen your plot and storyline. Landmarks make your rounded characters stand out. Landmarks should be emotionally-charged dramatic events with good dialogue. They set the tone and direction of the storyline and plot.
When you have five or six landmarks, use them as a template for your novel. You will then see what belongs, and what needs to be edited out.
I hope that helps.
Good luck.
I have a cunning method I use in these situations... it's called Save As
My condolences however!