tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083612851716281896.post5417518583127948310..comments2024-03-28T02:34:34.041-07:00Comments on Rachna's Scriptorium: Editing Tips to the RescueRachna Chhabriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16900999965919504282noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083612851716281896.post-36232918719540822102010-07-30T05:26:19.412-07:002010-07-30T05:26:19.412-07:00Hi, Rachna. Maybe it's because I've been i...Hi, Rachna. Maybe it's because I've been in the editing process for so long, but I enjoy it. I look forward to writing the next book with trepidation, in fact. I know, I'm weird. ;D<br /><br />That said, you sound like you're doing an awesome job.Victoria Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14012092208934951963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083612851716281896.post-37735899200065035082010-07-29T20:19:56.097-07:002010-07-29T20:19:56.097-07:00Elizabeth, though the manuscript is not yet sparkl...Elizabeth, though the manuscript is not yet sparkling, hoping to get there eventually.<br /><br />Anne, I am a late convert to editing. But, nowadays it doesn't stress me out at all.<br /><br />Sheryl, I too have been given the advice to read aloud my MS, so I can hear when it's chunky and clunky. But to be honest, I have never tried it.<br /><br />Alexis, writing is not for the faint- hearted. But, then nothing actually is. Whatever we do in life requires a lot of effort.<br /><br />Mohamed, you are one of the lucky few who find editing fun. Maybe I will take your help when I am editing my next book.Rachna Chhabriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900999965919504282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083612851716281896.post-49006403243098853962010-07-29T08:44:31.543-07:002010-07-29T08:44:31.543-07:00Psssst. Don't tell anyone I shared my pervers...Psssst. Don't tell anyone I shared my perversity with you, but I actually LIKE editing. The thought of improving narrative flow, fixing factual inconsistencies, strengthening characters and sharpening themes appeals to me; it's FUN!Dr. Mohamedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13673867214475179890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083612851716281896.post-67269000525979516992010-07-28T15:32:45.439-07:002010-07-28T15:32:45.439-07:00I honestly never realized how hard it is to write....I honestly never realized how hard it is to write...really, really hard...I keep coming across posts like this and I can't begin to explain how helpful this is.:) I have no tips of my own but I'm thankful for yours.alexis nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13701177402195968414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083612851716281896.post-69235460258859566422010-07-28T13:55:08.244-07:002010-07-28T13:55:08.244-07:00Yes, great post, Rachna. It's strange too, eve...Yes, great post, Rachna. It's strange too, even though it's hard to 'kill the darlings' there is potent sense of freedom once it's done.<br />I find by reading aloud my ms I can hear when it's clunky! And you can also hear the bits that zing.<br />:)<br />SherylSheryl Gwytherhttp://sherylgwyther.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083612851716281896.post-23502093748379597482010-07-28T12:55:07.432-07:002010-07-28T12:55:07.432-07:00I think editing is the good medicine for our ailin...I think editing is the good medicine for our ailing first draft. It needs to be done just right so we can see it rise to its full potential. I'm almost done with my MS and I can't wait to get to some serious editing.Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083612851716281896.post-36235320411183237032010-07-28T10:40:19.336-07:002010-07-28T10:40:19.336-07:00Fantastic Post, Rachna, I'll bet that manuscr...Fantastic Post, Rachna, I'll bet that manuscript sparkles now! All of your advice was good advice, and I can't think of any better way to go about revising and edition than the steps you spelled out.Elizabeth Varadan, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708206753256682635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083612851716281896.post-90768549802042788532010-07-27T20:51:38.783-07:002010-07-27T20:51:38.783-07:00Anonymous..I am glad that this post can help you.
...Anonymous..I am glad that this post can help you.<br /><br />Jody..I am not just editing but also rewriting parts that I feel are just not working. The substantive edit is what I call rewrites, which is pretty tough to handle, I rewrote three entire chapters, and half of another one. And I have more than half the book to swim through. <br /><br />Terri, I too have this habit of adding cliches and similies in the first draft. Mischief danced in her eyes, a balloon of happiness swelled in her heart. All these are either chopped or spruced up.<br /><br />Jai...For me too its not one, but two different processes. But for several reasons, I am combining the revising, rewriting and editing processes as I wade through the manuscript. The editing process doesn't really end for me. Whenever I read my work, there are few changes I end up making.<br /><br />Lydia...this is the first time I am enjoying the cutting and snipping. But, I find it harder than writing the first draft.Rachna Chhabriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900999965919504282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083612851716281896.post-42459825511002126502010-07-27T13:07:45.885-07:002010-07-27T13:07:45.885-07:00Editing is so much harder than writing the first d...Editing is so much harder than writing the first draft, for me. I thing you put it perfectly here! But it's all worth it, to see that buffed up beautiful prose that turns up after the cutting and snipping.Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083612851716281896.post-82408515117481523112010-07-27T10:31:13.273-07:002010-07-27T10:31:13.273-07:00I think of it as two different processes. The firs...I think of it as two different processes. The first is Revising - where I move things around, cut stuff out, tweak characters, make plot changes, etc. The second is Editing - where I got through the manuscript looking for spelling and grammatical errors and any other problems that are technical.<br /><br />Also, I think that whenever you end up with less words than you had at the beginning it's a good thing because you've cut out anything that's unnecessary and would be a weakness to the piece of writing. This isn't always the case as you might discover that you have to add instead of cut (for clarity in the story) and that's a different scenario. It's all part of the process.<br /><br />JaiJai Joshihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858987106548357551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083612851716281896.post-28418373092566220202010-07-27T05:51:58.122-07:002010-07-27T05:51:58.122-07:00You are doing a great job! I just went through min...You are doing a great job! I just went through mine and got rid of cliches too and where I named emotions--ie --guilt tapped her shoulder and also words like excitement--her eyes widened in excitement. Stuff like that. It does help make our stories bette!Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083612851716281896.post-40039758226713002442010-07-27T04:29:11.587-07:002010-07-27T04:29:11.587-07:00Sounds like you're handling your edits wonderf...Sounds like you're handling your edits wonderfully! It sounds like a line-edit, where you're combing through the mansucript more carefully. For me, the hardest kind of edit is the big-picture edit, the substantive one, where we have more major rewriting to do. I'm awaiting word from my publishing house on what my rewrites will be on my second novel. And those are the kind that bring me a lot of tears and pain! :-)Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083612851716281896.post-33884560147826020502010-07-27T00:58:20.369-07:002010-07-27T00:58:20.369-07:00What a wonderful and informative post! Very useful...What a wonderful and informative post! Very useful tips. I will bookmark it for my personal reference. Have a nice week!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com