Although many writers make some revisions as they go along, the real job of editing a story begins after the first draft is completed. While there are many opinions on how to edit a manuscript, and also on how many times it needs to be gone over, the consensus is that waiting a few days, weeks, or months to start making revisions is a good thing. This gives the author a chance to distance herself from the story and gain a fresh perspective.
Before beginning the editing process, consider these steps for revising your story.
1. Determine what your purpose was in writing the story. Was it to inform, entertain, frighten, or soothe your readers? Does the tone fit that purpose? Have you clarified what genre and type of audience you are writing for? Does the story fulfill the requirements for that genre?
2. Look over the organization of the story. Does it have an appropriate story arc? Is the pacing appropriate? Do the characters each have a purpose, and do they develop as the story progresses? Have the conflicts been resolved? Have the subplots been brought to resolution? Does each scene serve a purpose?
3. After resolving any problems with tone, pacing, or organization, examine the manuscript paragraph by paragraph. Do you have a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and appropriate transitional words? Does each chapter begin with a hook, or end with one?
4. Finally, examine each sentence for clarity and proper punctuation. Are there run-on sentences? Does each word seem necessary? Does each sentence add to the story in some way—by building or relieving the tension, setting the scene, developing the character, or explaining what is going on? Is the choice of words consistent with the character’s personality, the setting, and the time period? Have you varied the length of sentences to hold the reader’s interest, insert tension, and affect the pace?
Once you’ve completed these 4 steps, you may want to have a trusted writer friend or editor look over your story for a second opinion. However, the main responsibility for the revision lies in your hands.
Do you edit your stories as you write, or after you complete the first draft? How many times do you usually go through it doing revisions? Do you have someone else review your story or novel before submitting it? Do you let others read your work before it is completed?
Edit October 5, 2009: I’ve added a related post on adding layers to a story during the revision process.
There are occasional writing sessions when I re-read the last bit before moving on and suddenly discover something I feel absolutely *must* be changed before I can proceed. But most often my first draft is done without editing. Then I immediately read through it once and do the red pen bit on the obvious problems. I correct those in the file and then let it sit for at least a couple weeks before printing out a fresh copy and reading it again looking for inconsistencies, weak scenes, etc., and make those changes. Only then do I have a few copies made and pass them to my beta readers along with a package of “stickies” to mark up anything that doesn’t sit well with them. Once I get the material back I evaluate their opinions and suggestions and decide on further changes.
It’s a long process because every time I go through a ms I find things I want to change. In my current wip I decided on a major revision that has ended up being a total rewrite! I don’t think I’m a perfectionist, but I can’t submit something until I’m confident it’s the best I can make it. Sometimes that means dozens of revisions. Lots of work! Good thing I like writing. 🙂
Carol, I generally write the first draft of a short story or article without editing, but my novel keeps calling me back to the first chapter. I’ve re-written the beginning many times and can’t seem to move beyond it. The whole first draft is done, but the editing feels overwhelming. That’s why I decided to organize my thoughts about editing a novel, and wrote this post. Now if I can just follow my own suggestions (sigh).
Carol
We’ve been so brainwashed to believe that first chapter, first paragraph, first sentence is the most crucial part of the novel (rightfully so, of course) that we’re terrified it won’t be perfect! 😐 At least you’ve been able to finish the draft. I have a good friend who has beginning chapters to several different novels but hasn’t been able to finish any of them yet.
My oh so wise daughter’s last two posts (Sept. 5 and 12, I think) on her blog ( http://sharigreen.wordpress.com/blog/ ) address revisions and editing… one includes links to her summer series of “Fix-it Friday” posts where contributing authors tidbits of editing advice and I found several helpful ideas.
I’ll check out your daughter’s blog for some help on revising my novel. Like you mention, the first chapter is so important that sometimes trying to get it perfect can keep us from making progress on the rest of the novel.
Thanks.
Carol
I tend to reread what I just wrote and fix up minor points right away. New chapter. New edit. It’s exactly opposite of everything people say a writer should do, but I is what I is. It seems to work for me.
Once the whole manuscript is done I red-line it right away (again, the exact opposite of what writers are supposed to do) print out a clean copy and then inflict it on my wife, daughter and a couple of friends. (Yeah, yeah, again…). Then I might let it sit for weeks/months/years before hauling it out for a fresh read and edit. Since I have yet to sell a novel I cannot recommend my method to anyone else. 😉
~jon
Jon, your method is as good or better than mine. 🙂
For some reason your comments frequently end up in my spam box. Most of my spam is automatically filtered and deleted, so if I fail to respond to your comments, let me know. I have no idea how to adjust the filter settings. And I can’t imagine why it thinks your advice is spam.
Carol
I started running into the spam problem when I began using the long URL to my blog rather than the short URL to my website. I think the .php? part might be acting as some kind of spam filter trigger. It’s really a bummer for me, since my blog gets updated often but the website does not. I don’t think it is anything you, or anyone else, can do anything about. Just something I need to learn to live with. I appreciate it when you unspam me. 🙂
~jon
I do both, actually. I edit while I write, and then make numerous revisions (sigh) before the story goes out the door. One story is currently on its eighth revision. Maybe I’m too picky about things, but I just like to know that a story has my best when it ventures to publishing editor.
I do let others read it. I have a great friend in Greta, who has given me sound advice as well as a critical eye about things she sees. Beyond distancing themselves from the process, which is why some stories take me forever to release, it is my belief that a writer needs to have another set of eyes along the way. Even distance doesn’t solve all problems.
Stephen, I try to be sure my stories are the best I can make them, but I have trouble deciding when I’ve accomplished that. Sometimes I think I’ve edited the life right out of them.
Carol
Carol,
Your advice is helpful even for my very short children’s stories.
I’m going to copy and print it out so I can have quick easy access to it while editing.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
I’m glad you found it helpful, Elizabeth. 🙂
Carol
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