I write my drafts, shelve them for six months to a year and then start to edit. My process is very much like yours Adrian, however, I get a copy of my work printed in a different font and read it as if it was a finished work. I annotate and make notes as I go. then I do my first plot line edit and try and look at all the bits that I can possibly look at to make the story work. Then I shelve it again and revisit. Then if I am happy with it I edit the spelling and grammar as best as I can and I start seeking other people's opinions. I post up the extracts I'm working on, on here and on other sites, and I have a list of questions or things I want to see if people pick up on or comment on. It's usually at this point that I grow very distrustful of my own work and capabilities, and then shelve it again for a good six months.
at the moment I'm working on my action scenes. I think I'm really bad at creating a fast passed, exciting atmosphere. I'm posting up a lot of first drafts to get feedback before I edit or revisit. Hopefully doing it this way will give me scope to pick up on flaws.
I'm not organized enough to have a checklist! But I am a compulsive editor and I know what Kate means about knowing when to stop. I spend much longer editing than writing and have to remind myself that my story/ article/ novel is never going to be perfect. If it was, I wouldn't need to write another one.
I use a basic editing checklist, but the editing process I use is similar to yours.
Editing Checklist
1) Medias Res - Is the opening to my novel as strong as it can be?
2) Plot - Linked Cause and Effect throughout my novel.
3) Storyline - Check for Weaknesses, Repetition and 'Shoes and Socks' problems.
4) Characters - What are the functions of my characters? Are they always acting in Character?
5) Sign-Posting - Have I Indicated to the reader where the next part of my story is leading.
6) Chapters – Are my chapter titles suitable. Do my chapter’s link with the preceding and following chapter. Who or what is each chapter about? Where is the chapter set/location? Do my chapters have a dramatic opening, landmark signpost, ending with a cliff-hanger or hook?
7) Dialogue - Is my dialogue speakable? Does it make sense when spoken aloud?
Streams of Thought - Does it make sense when spoken aloud?
8) Descriptions - Are they Vivid and not too long.
9) Settings - Do my Settings have a Strong Purpose. Are they Generally Motivated?
10) Prose - Does my prose flow. Does it have Pace?
11) Fix clunky sentences.
12) Cut superfluous text - Every-Word-Must-Earn-Its-Keep.
I write my drafts, shelve them for six months to a year and then start to edit. My process is very much like yours Adrian, however, I get a copy of my work printed in a different font and read it as if it was a finished work. I annotate and make notes as I go. then I do my first plot line edit and try and look at all the bits that I can possibly look at to make the story work. Then I shelve it again and revisit. Then if I am happy with it I edit the spelling and grammar as best as I can and I start seeking other people's opinions. I post up the extracts I'm working on, on here and on other sites, and I have a list of questions or things I want to see if people pick up on or comment on. It's usually at this point that I grow very distrustful of my own work and capabilities, and then shelve it again for a good six months.
at the moment I'm working on my action scenes. I think I'm really bad at creating a fast passed, exciting atmosphere. I'm posting up a lot of first drafts to get feedback before I edit or revisit. Hopefully doing it this way will give me scope to pick up on flaws.
s
I'm not organized enough to have a checklist! But I am a compulsive editor and I know what Kate means about knowing when to stop. I spend much longer editing than writing and have to remind myself that my story/ article/ novel is never going to be perfect. If it was, I wouldn't need to write another one.
Kate, I like your method.
I use a basic editing checklist, but the editing process I use is similar to yours.
Editing Checklist
1) Medias Res - Is the opening to my novel as strong as it can be?
2) Plot - Linked Cause and Effect throughout my novel.
3) Storyline - Check for Weaknesses, Repetition and 'Shoes and Socks' problems.
4) Characters - What are the functions of my characters? Are they always acting in Character?
5) Sign-Posting - Have I Indicated to the reader where the next part of my story is leading.
6) Chapters – Are my chapter titles suitable. Do my chapter’s link with the preceding and following chapter. Who or what is each chapter about? Where is the chapter set/location? Do my chapters have a dramatic opening, landmark signpost, ending with a cliff-hanger or hook?
7) Dialogue - Is my dialogue speakable? Does it make sense when spoken aloud?
Streams of Thought - Does it make sense when spoken aloud?
8) Descriptions - Are they Vivid and not too long.
9) Settings - Do my Settings have a Strong Purpose. Are they Generally Motivated?
10) Prose - Does my prose flow. Does it have Pace?
11) Fix clunky sentences.
12) Cut superfluous text - Every-Word-Must-Earn-Its-Keep.
13) Grammar.
14) Punctuation.
Readers are free to copy my checklist.
Readers are free to copy my checklist.