Do you edit or rewrite anything before you're finished with your first draft? I've never really thought about it before, generally I like to edit after a couple of days, but is it better to leave everything until you've finished your first draft?
Do you edit or rewrite anything before you're finished with your first draft? I've never really thought about it before, generally I like to edit after a couple of days, but is it better to leave everything until you've finished your first draft?
that last comment was @ Deborah, and now I'll work on the next comment :)
I did take it away, honestly I was a bit ashamed of it, I can be really self-conscious about my work and I thought I'd better take it away before someone asks what the hell I'm doing posting a whole heap of poopy...
I find it difficult aswell, to simply write a first draft without always stopping to correct small Problems or fundamental Problems with the storyline... it feels like juggling...
If you want post your comment to my work here or send me a message, I'd still enjoy the criticism :)
I have added my editing checklist below. Bear in mind it is written to my understanding, but I am sure you get the general idea.
I hope that you find it useful.
Adrian's Editing Checklist
1) Plot - Linked Cause and Effect throughout my novel.
2) Storyine - Check for Weaknesses, Repetition and 'Shoes and Socks'
problems.
3) Characters - Their Function and Actions. Eg. Are they Always Acting in Character.
4) Sign-Posting - In my chapters have I Indicate to the reader where there next part of my story is leading.
5) Topic Sentences - Do my Paragraphs have a Topic Sentences to indicate to the reader what the next section is about.
6) Chapter Titles - Are my Chapter Titles suitable.
7) Chapters - Do my Chapters have a Dramatic Opening, A Landmark Signpost, and End with a Cliffhanger, or a Hook.
8) Dialogue - Does it make Sense when Spoken Aloud.
9) Streams of Thought - Does it make Sense when Spoken Aloud.
10) Descriptions - Are they Vivid and not to long.
11) Settings - Do my Settings have a Strong Purpose. Are they Generally Motivated.
12) Prose - Does my Prose Flow. Does it have Pace.
13) Keep my sentences as short as possible.
14) Fix clunky sentences.
15) Cutting Superfluous Text - Every-Word-Must-Earn-Its-Keep.
16) Grammar.
17) Punctuation.
You cannot hope to edit everything in one go. It has taken me numerous edits before the exhausting process began to reduce to a manageable level. I hope I am on the penultimate thorough edit.
Readers are free to copy my checklist.