Revising and Aditing Your Novel

REVISING, EDITING AND ADITING CAN BE A THREE-HEADED DRAGON OF A CHORE. HOPEFULLY, THESE TIPS WILL HELP.

1. I usually need a few days perspective on any WIP that needs revising, so I generally finish the rough draft and let the WIP sit for anywhere from a couple days to a couple weeks before I tackle the revisions.

2. Chances are excellent that I'm not going to be finished revising, editing and aditing on the first round. What is aditing? It's when you're adding paragraphs, scenes, entire new chapters as you're editing.

3. The valuable input of a trusted critique partner shouldn't be ignored. I'd rather hear my CP tell me something stinks than hear it from an editor in a rejection letter.

4. We've heard this golden chestnut before, but it certainly bears repeating... You can't fix a blank page. You CAN fix stinkified words on a page, however.

5. Revise or edit for specific things if the notion of revising/editing overwhelms you. Revise for emotional depth. Revise GMC for characters. Revise your characterization. Revise for plot holes or loose ends. Revise for overused words. Revise for passive voice (turning it to active voice). Revise for spelling. Revise per your CP's comments.

6. Revisions may be daunting, yes. However, instead of looking at them as a chore, look at the process as a way to improve your writing. You know your transitions or ending hooks need help? Revise with the intention of sprucing those up. There are countless resources on the Internet to help with any aspect of writing you'd like to tackle.

7. Revisions are a necessary part of the writing process. There's always a better word, a more active phrase, a bit of emotional detail that can be added for greater impact.

8. Don't revise your WIP to death. Really. You'll polish your unique voice right out of it. (Um, bad grammar, punctuation problems and creative spelling do not constitute voice. Just saying.)

9. If you're going to join a critique group or have a critique partner, you're going to need a thick skin. You don't want a critique partner who only gushes at your brilliance, you need a CP who will be honest with you. Be sure to set up the parameters of your CP relationship, however, to avoid confrontations, hurt feelings, and to be sure that you're getting the most from the experience as you can. If you join a group, same goes. It's possible for CP's and crit groups to give honest crits that may sting or hurt your pride without being cruel. Cruelty and unkindness are unnecessary. The experience should be helpful, productive and worthwhile. If it isn't, it may be time to find a new situation.

10. Revise, edit and adit with a purpose. If what you're doing isn't improving the WIP, then ask yourself why you're doing it, what purpose does it serve.

The Water Cooler For Writers