1) Leaving the manuscript alone for awhile
2) The first read-through
3) Making a time-line
This is where we pick certain parts of the story to focus on.Step #4: SELECTIVE READ-THROUGHs
For example, plot.
- Go through your manuscript just examining the plot alone. Not the characters, not the dialog, just the plot.
- Focus on the main plot first and then the secondary or multiple subplots.
- Write down each plot on a piece of paper and analyze whether or not they have a interesting beginning, and satisfactory ending.
- Do you need it or does it bog down the story?
- You might want to highlight in a different color the instance of each character. For example, every time my character Sophia acts or speaks in my novel, I can highlight the words in pink. (This works better in a computerized format or you may be running low on highlighters.)
- After highlighting, analyze whether or not your character sounds real or are they cliche?
- Are their mannerisms or dialogue authentic?
- Do you need that 57th character or can we cap the character list at twenty or less?
Source: Writing and Selling your Mystery Novel
15 comments:
Clarissa - What a good idea! Thanks for all of your helpful ideas about making writing better. You're quite right, I think, that if we try to revise for everything at once, something can get lost in the shuffle, so to speak. It's much more productive to focus on one or another element, especially those elements that seem to need the most support.
Oh, I'm glad you like this. Not everyone edits the same way but hopefully some will like this format.
CD
Dear Lord, I wouldn't know what to do with 57 characters!
Thanks again for yesterday's guest post, Clarissa.
I like the highlighter idea!
LOVE the Darth Vader humor!! :)
Great post.
Have I mentioned how much I love all your tips and advice? Because I do! I do!
I've heard of doing highlighters on the printed ms. but never thought to do it on the computer copy. Great idea, thanks.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
Never thought of highlighting my characters - thanks!
Alex, my pleasure. I would love to have you guest post on my blog someday. I'll have to set up a schedule.
Laura, oh, I'm glad.
Lola, ha ha ha. I hope no one was offended by my reference.
Talli, coming from you, it means a lot.
Nancy, I do that often. It's easier on the computer.
L. Diane, glad you liked it.
CD
Thanks Clarissa! I'm taking notes...
How can you so simply make sense of what has been baffling me? This is GREAT! I am doing my READ THROUGH right now, but I am going to take this advice. I know plot is what I need to attend most carefully (the character stuff comes more naturally to me)
Whatever the case... THANK YOU!
You're welcome, Hart.
CD
Good post. Very systematic approach >:)
Cold As Heaven
Hi Clarissa,
Great tips! I would have never thought of highlighting the MC's dialogue. The plot is the heart of your story and if it's weak, your story will likely suffer a heart attack ;)
One of my fellow writers has a technique when she edits. She reads backwards. I mean, she begins at the last page. She says it gives her a different perspective. LOL! I tried but couldn't do it.
Claudia, never heard of that before. I'm willing to try it but not sure it'll work for me either.
CD
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