Isn’t it funny how suitable things fall together? I’m starting to write/edit and today is my 200th post! Exciting hey?
Don’t know which is more exciting, but for the purposes of today, we’ll say it’s the bit about writing/editing.
So yeah… Yesterday I couldn’t stand the wait, so I took the day off and gave me a crash course on editing. The book I read, while informative, wasn’t exactly the most applicable to creative writing, making me think of a gap in the market. Any takers?
Still, I’m about halfway through and picked up quite a few things. Main one being, how edits are supposed to work.
It also gave me an idea as to a strategy for the Doorways edits.
The book (Rewrite Right by Jan Venolia) talks about two stages in editing. I’m thinking there should be three for creative writers.
First, there should be a stage for the storyline. I have strings to stretch back or pull to the end. I have scenes requiring more depth. Emotions that need to be carried further, or not quite as far. That sort of stuff. I guess that’s the revisions always referred to.
Second, we have to improve content. Refine what’s been written.
Third, copy editing or correcting language issues.
Each one should be done separately, so that will be three rounds of edits.
As I finish chapters, I’ll let other people read them and point out whatever I’ve missed. When I’m done with round three, I’ll repeat, using the crit partner opinions.
After another three (hopefully shorter) rounds, I’ll do the print-out and hand read. Likely another two rounds.
Finally, I’ll be handing over to beta readers and polishing my WiP.
Hopefully after about 15 editing rounds, my book should be in a shape to send off into the big, wide world.
So that’s the plan for now. It’s likely to change as I work, but I felt a little better knowing that I have a strategy.
Anyone have any tips for me? This is new waters for me, so any advice will be most appreciated.
Month: May 2011
Acting for Writers
I’m a writer because…
Just a reminder that I’m looking for more guest posters for Fridays. Please contact me at mishagericke(AT)gmail(DOT)com for more information and/or to book a spot.
Blog Day: Reciprocity and Building Relationships
Just a reminder that I’m looking for people to fill GPF slots. Please contact me at mishagericke(AT)gmail(DOT)com for more information and to book.
Today might be the last blog day for now as I don’t think that people are enjoying the series or finding it that interesting. So today I’ll bring up something that’s really important to me.
Have you noticed that people on the blogosphere follow back? So a great way to get followers is to hit as many blogs as possible and follow them.
But what does the number of followers mean when none of them actually care who you are? Or if those people following doesn’t mean anything to you? Well… not much, really. There’s a whole community of bloggers out there who would love to get to know you. But like real life, friendships and relationships go both ways. If you do nothing, the relationship won’t grow. Simple as that.
Expecting people to comment on your blog while you do nothing is like expecting friends to call you while you never do.
And when you comment, show people you care. Writing comments that show that you’re trying to ramble something off on the way to the next blog, or comments that show that you didn’t even bother to read the post are worse than not commenting at all. So if you comment, make it mean something. If you can’t, skip out and come back on another post. Lots less damaging.
But don’t ever think that never commenting is a good idea. Have you ever opened your blog and saw that your posts drew zero comments? Doesn’t feel good, does it? Notice how great it feels to get lots of comments?
Well, then, don’t you think it would be nice of you to be the first to comment? And if you’re not the first, be the person that helps the blogger in question on their way to 20, 30 or a hundred comments.
Every comment counts to your relationship with other bloggers. So get yourself heard.
Anyone else love comments as much as I do? How do you go about commenting on people’s blogs?
My month off is nearing its end…
Hi all! I just want to check if anyone is interested in guest posting on the Fridays after June. The dates are wide open, but no-one seems to be biting. I’d love to have some more guests, so if you want to write a guest post about anything related to writing and/or the literary world, plug your book, anything, please follow my blog and let me know that you’re interested in booking a slot. My e-mail address is mishagericke(AT)gmail(DOT) com.
So yeah… I am about to enter the last week before my break from writing is over and, while it was lots of fun to do nothing for a while, I’m now starting to feel the stirrings of that old, annoying niggle.
I’m bored.
Very bored. My mind has already started working on new ideas as well as for ways to improve Doorways. Now my hands are itching to get back to writing.
To me that means that now is a good time to do nothing.
Yep, you heard me. Nothing. It’s just stirring. I don’t care for stirrings. They wane and fade almost as soon as I start to address them.
No, I want to feel a rush when I touch my work. I want to feel that I can’t wait until I spend some time on ideas both old and new. So… more word fasting for me, at least until the end of the month.
In the mean time I’ve picked up two writing books, one about writing in general, the other about revising. I’m thinking about starting in on the latter. After all, Doorways is my priority.
So that’s me, feeling the urge to return to my writing, but resisting and distracting myself with other shiny things.
What are you up to? How’s your writing going? Have you ever taken a break after finishing a draft?
Also, I’d love to know if you guys want for me to share some of the things I learned from the two books I mentioned?
Dying to know.
A Room of My Own
Today, I want to introduce you to one of my new(er) bloggy friends, Francesca. I always head over to her blog for a refreshing look at another writer’s life. What can I say? I’m a bit of a voyeur. ;-P
Take it away, Francesca.
A Room of My Own
Today, we have a winner!
Before I announce the winner, I just want to apologize for my inactivity lately. I’ve been busy with the rest of my life this week, so I haven’t been able to visit any blogs. Including those of the people that commented on mine. I feel terrible about that, but right now, the other aspects of my life take precedence. I will get back to visiting blogs on Monday.
Ok then… on to the point of today’s post.
And the winner is:
*Drumroll*
Robin Ingle!
Congrats, Robin, please contact me at mishagericke(AT)gmail(DOT)com as soon as you can to claim your prize.