1. First of all, the plot must be logical and clear. Make sure the conflict is compelling and constant.Please share your revision list. Is it in the same order? Should I add anything to mine?
2. Consistent pacing - check for metered unfolding.
3. Strong characterization - I'm a "character" girl. Polish characters' individual voices.
4. Now is the time to obsess over grammar, vocabulary and style.
5. Lastly, fortify any themes.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Time to Revise
Someone once wrote that he revised his novel in several read-throughs. I have forgotten who this was, but it is a good idea. Here is my plan, in five layers, for revision.
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Great list! Short but soooo important. Thanks for posting. Am revising two WIPs - one to decrease bloated word count and the other for...hmmm 1 through 5.
ReplyDeleteYour list focuses on broad issues, and it's a good one. I would flip-flop four and five myself. Though I tend to tweak style and grammar throughout the revision process, my last step is always a careful review for awkward phrasing, buzzword usage, etc. I also have a checklist of five specific items to address:
ReplyDelete❑ "That" check
❑ "Usually" check
❑ "Always" check
❑ "Just" check
❑ Prepositional phrase check
These are those mushy words I am most likely to use without thinking, so it's necessary for me to consciously go through and fix 'em all.
My list is similar to yours, but I start with No. 4 - a strong copyedit - as a way to back into the whole process. (I'm a former copyeditor, so that's my comfort zone.) Using your numbers, I pretty much do 4, which leads me into 1 & 2, then 4 again, then 3 (I do a separate read of each character's dialog to make sure it stays consistent), then a final-final 4. 5 gets short shrift because my theme, such as it is, tends to be thugs killing thugs.
ReplyDeletePatty, I think it's better to have to decrease words than increase. Best of luck with your revisions.
ReplyDeleteBill, Oh good tip about the buzzwords. You're right about the grammar thing, I think.
Steve, you're a former copyeditor? Cool. I'm going to make a note of this: "I do a separate read of each character's dialog to make sure it stays consistent."
I would add all varieties of "seem" to Bill's list (seem, seems, seemed). Other than that I think your plan reeks of awesome. Wish I was nearly so orgamazizized.
ReplyDeleteSean is right about "seem." Damn him, the glorious, handsome bastard.
ReplyDeleteAdding "seem" to the list.
ReplyDeleteElisabeth, I agree with Sean. You have a very organized brain. I am not nearly so logical about the revision process, though I am thinking that perhaps being so would help a whole lot. Appreciate the great thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roxane! What a kind comment.
ReplyDeleteI'll let you know how it works out. :)
My method tends to be close to yours, except like Bill I probably flip 4 and 5. My #6 step is an out-loud read for rhythm, and to make sure dialog sounds natural. It also helps me catch multiple uses of a word in a sentence or paragraph.
ReplyDeleteAwesome tip, Carla. Thanks so much.
ReplyDelete