. . . in edits. Well, if I’m going to be honest, I’m closer to being buried six feet under.
Perhaps it’s the perfectionist in me. Perhaps I don’t know what I’m doing. Perhaps my characters aren’t willing to let me go yet. =) Or maybe, just maybe, it’s all of the above. Whatever the case, I know that this process has been a major learning curve. And it has taken FOREVER.
Anyone can write. I’m not saying anything has to be written well. Or finished, for that matter. But it’s taken me more than a year to realize that where the story is pulled together, where it truly comes to life, is in the editing phase. For years I’ve believed that a true writer sat down and *poof* the words magically appeared on paper/screen. Scenes would be awe-inspiring and perfect from the get-go. But even great writers have told me that just isn’t true. I never believed them, until now.
I’ve written two complete manuscripts and roughly 20 unfinished. And while I’d found plenty of advice on plotting, scene structure, and dialogue, I never thought to look at editing. What’s so hard about editing? All you do is check your grammar, spelling and punctuation. Make sure you don’t have 1,001 clichés. Make sure all dialogue flows and is comprehensible. Check for plot holes. That’s it! Finis! Yeah—Not even close!
First of all, even though I’d outlined and researched my plot, it still wasn’t right. My “finished product” wasn’t finished at all. It took me nearly 6 months to realize why. The dark scenes in the slums I’d always envisioned were missing. The release of key pieces of information (always up for debate, for some reason) came too early. Balancing my heroine’s ability to rescue abused children with her idealistic outlook was, shall we say, flawed—not that it wasn’t possible to do, I just didn’t do it justice. If I wanted any of that in my story, I had to dig in, and I had to dig deep.
I’ve seen ways of editing that have you checking for key elements on every page. But the process, over 100,000 words, is daunting. Not to mention, I don’t think I would have picked up on what I was missing. I’m one of those people who have to sit back and look at the canvas as a whole. I also have to listen to my instincts. If something is bothering me, I need to meditate in order to figure out why. And then I need to listen.
Editing this manuscript has been a blessing and a curse. A curse, because it has taken more than year. (Don’t judge! I have two little ones.) And a blessing, because I’ve learned the way I need to write and edit is likely different from others. I’ve discovered that listening to my muse, fully relinquishing all rights to “her”, will allow the scenes to flow. When I immerse myself in my scenes, put myself in the shoes of my POV character, I not only see what they are seeing, I can almost feel what they are, too. If I write a scene that’s been completely plotted and don’t put myself in the scene, it comes off unemotional and flat. Don’t get me wrong, I am a die-hard plotter. I’d be lost without knowing where I’m going—heehee! But I can’t allow the mechanics of a scene to overshadow everything else. When that happens, I forget to put in emotional hits, I forget the visceral reactions, I forget the tension that should be building, and all of that boils down to how a really wonderful book makes you feel. It’s how you fall in love and root for the couple to reach their happily-ever-after.
“Layering” is a term I’ve often heard authors use for their editing phase. They go through and layer in backstory, characterization, and other key pieces of information, refining their work until the story is seamless. Taking their advice, I went through and attempted the same. Including rewriting about 1/3 of the manuscript. Is it perfect? I would never say that, but I am happy. Is there room for improvement? Most likely, but I can’t spend another minute with it. I need to move on. Find some new peeps to hang with, because I’ve had a lot of characters talking to me and I need to “let them out” at some point.
I’m grateful for the lesson I’ve learned. I can’t say I love the editing phase, as I’ve heard authors proclaim, but edits and I are still on speaking terms, and I’m learning to appreciate it the more I hone my craft.
How about you? Do you love editing? I’d much rather be writing . . . or researching! But that’s for another post.
Hi Lillian
Awesome post. Are you living in my brain? I think many of the same thoughts- LOL. I Love and hate editing. I don’t want to see the mistakes that were there all along but I know I have to if I want to get better. I’m writing my 2nd ms now but am leaving the 1st alone just a while longer so I can immerse myself in my new world. Then its time for the love/hate thing again!
=)
Hi Donna!
Yeah, I really don’t “get” how some people love editing. I see their point about the story coming to life, but the process is a pain. I am hoping as we get more experienced at writing, we won’t have so MUCH editing to do! Good luck to you on your writing journey!
Ugh, I can’t stand revising/editing most of the time. My last manuscript I really got into it, but I think this was mostly because the whole process (beginning to end, with edits) took about 4 months…not my usual 9-12 months. It’s all about finding your process though, and finding what works for you
Erin,
I would be so happy if my edits only took 4 months!! Maybe after I rewrite my first manuscript I’ll be so lucky. It’s all a learning curve, but sometimes I wish the curve wasn’t so steep. I want a training manual that tells me what I need to know–a step by step guide–and then I’ll execute it. Too bad it isn’t so simple!