tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850524524995973615.post6649564893767341176..comments2023-05-24T09:45:52.821-05:00Comments on Title Magic: Editing Down the Road Less TraveledSavanna Kougarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15698138048388102279noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850524524995973615.post-52315073594175964942008-06-24T15:46:00.000-05:002008-06-24T15:46:00.000-05:00Terry, great suggestions. I have used the column m...Terry, great suggestions. I have used the column method because I wanted to see how the story would 'read' or flow in that book format.<BR/>Also, like you mentioned, since it looks different I often catch the minor errors that way, and have a chance to improve how the story actually flows on the page.<BR/>I've only read e-books on the computer, so far. And, fortunately, the editing thing doesn't come into play, any more than if I were reading a print book.Savanna Kougarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15698138048388102279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850524524995973615.post-86274089617240548002008-06-24T15:39:00.000-05:002008-06-24T15:39:00.000-05:00Savannah, yes, there's a different "feel" to an e-...Savannah, yes, there's a different "feel" to an e-book read, depending on the reading method. I can't read them on my computer because I immediately want to edit them! But on my eBookwise, I get into 'book' mode quickly. And I don't seem to get the 'tired eyes' as quickly as with print. <BR/><BR/>Another hint I picked up at a conference -- if you're printing to edit, change the font. The sentences, etc., will break at different places on the page, and because it looks 'different' you're more likely to see what's on the page instead of what's in your head. <BR/><BR/>Another thing I've done is printed the book out in 2 columns. The shorter line width makes scanning a line easier, and again, things line up differently. Because you can see 'more' those repeats seem to become more visible.<BR/><BR/>And I've also printed them out using the 'booklet' format so they end up printing like a paperback. <BR/><BR/>But I don't think I'd print an e-book I bought for pleasure. I bought it to avoid using paper to begin with.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850524524995973615.post-72449014978988128802008-06-24T15:31:00.000-05:002008-06-24T15:31:00.000-05:00Hi Terry, it is interesting how it does look diffe...Hi Terry, it is interesting how it does look different in print. And I do spot errors that way, that I hadn't noticed.<BR/>Also, the whole flow of the story, I think, is easier to see, and then, make corrections.<BR/>Which begs the point, when you read an e-book, does the story flow differently in that format, than when you're reading in print?Savanna Kougarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15698138048388102279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850524524995973615.post-49554659289800630632008-06-24T06:35:00.000-05:002008-06-24T06:35:00.000-05:00Some oh so true (and painful) points. Does it adv...Some oh so true (and painful) points. Does it advance the plot? I think one of the hardest lessons to learn is "beautiful prose does not justify the scene". <BR/><BR/>I'm reading contest entries at the moment, and that turns on the editor, which gets harder to turn off when I go back to writing my own stuff. But it also reminds me what to look for in my own stuff.<BR/><BR/>I do minimal edits on the first draft, although with my current MS, I cut two whole chapters. But I normally shoot each scene past my on-line crit group for obvious errors, because I think they actually take root and if you don't spot them early on, you'll never notice them.<BR/><BR/>If I'm having trouble deciding where my story should go next (yeah, yeah, I don't plot the whole book first), I might do some edits--like culling my crutch words, or printing the last few chapters because it looks different in print and seeing what jumps out. <BR/><BR/>Definitely recommend Self Editing...by Browne & King.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850524524995973615.post-35229748500836542572008-06-24T06:10:00.000-05:002008-06-24T06:10:00.000-05:00Hey, all, So sorry I didn't get to blog back las...Hey, all,<BR/> So sorry I didn't get to blog back last night--I taught my last full night class last night--four straight hours and I'm exhausted.<BR/> I hope I didn't make it look like I'm able to get 10 pages every day, yesterday was barely a page with papers to grade. But now I don't have a night class again until next January! (Rotated off for the fall).<BR/> Sav, I haven't done the full revision thing before this year, but I really got stuck with the one manuscript and found it helpful (we'll see if I keep it up).<BR/> My daughter is amazing--no kidding, no bias:) But Lemony Snicket really gets you to see things from a different perspective, now if only he closed off all story lines at the end...<BR/> Thanks for your replies!!<BR/> LexieLexie O'Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04852547353184636030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850524524995973615.post-7945790226767480072008-06-23T16:23:00.000-05:002008-06-23T16:23:00.000-05:00Hey, Lexie!I, too, do a bulleted list of scenes. ...Hey, Lexie!<BR/><BR/>I, too, do a bulleted list of scenes. It helps me keep motivated to be able to check 'em off or delete them as I go.Mel Hiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09945592428034100547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850524524995973615.post-80594799586901051372008-06-23T16:21:00.000-05:002008-06-23T16:21:00.000-05:00Hi Lexie, I'm envious of your page count too! Glad...Hi Lexie, I'm envious of your page count too! Glad you're getting time to write.<BR/>That is so cute about your daughter. And, truth to tell, that's been my experience on the road less travelled. All the beasties and meanies are lurking to take their turn at devouring me. And, oh! do they! sometimes.<BR/><BR/>Omygosh, if I went through your editing process, my eyes would be spinning back into my head.<BR/>Not that I don't edit. I'm darn ruthless with certain elements of a story and how it's put together. I want it to sing and live for me. To be intense with color and passion, the passion of life, not just romantic passion -- but, that too.<BR/><BR/>Lexie, you made a good point about sometimes there is too much 'showing'. That can take away from the story for sure.<BR/> <BR/>Your blog is very timely for me. I just spent last night on the second edits for Tangerine Carnal Dreams. The most intense editing process so far, because I ventured out on the road less traveled with my intentional POV shifts.<BR/>Oh well...but I am thankful the book is coming together and is definitely a much better story. Thank you, to my editor. Hopefully, I'll get the last chapter done today, and get it sent back.Savanna Kougarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15698138048388102279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850524524995973615.post-8214136683764464212008-06-23T14:45:00.000-05:002008-06-23T14:45:00.000-05:00Now I'm repeating myself.Now I'm repeating myself.Evonne Warehamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02758272781706735694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850524524995973615.post-66658638573297527652008-06-23T14:44:00.001-05:002008-06-23T14:44:00.001-05:00LexieI'm envious at your page count - spent the af...Lexie<BR/>I'm envious at your page count - spent the afternoon wrestling with a bush that is trying to demolish a wall in the garden. Not exactly getting the manuscript on the move.Evonne Warehamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02758272781706735694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850524524995973615.post-19483816917071022292008-06-23T14:44:00.000-05:002008-06-23T14:44:00.000-05:00LexieI'm envious at your page count - spent the af...Lexie<BR/>I'm envious at your page count - spent the afternoon wrestling with a bush that is trying to demolish a wall in the garden. Not exactly getting the manuscript on the move.Evonne Warehamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02758272781706735694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850524524995973615.post-13571615990747690932008-06-23T14:28:00.000-05:002008-06-23T14:28:00.000-05:00Anitra, Thanks! I'm not quite to the ruthless s...Anitra,<BR/> Thanks! I'm not quite to the ruthless stage yet--maybe that comes with wisdom and experience:)<BR/> LexieLexie O'Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04852547353184636030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850524524995973615.post-65716003952238894502008-06-23T10:45:00.000-05:002008-06-23T10:45:00.000-05:00Hi Lexie! Self editing is a lot like trying to do...Hi Lexie! Self editing is a lot like trying to do self therapy--very difficult to pull off! I think everyone has their favorite technique but I check for passive voice, repetitive word use, and overall flow. And I'm ruthless about yanking out scenes that serve no purpose. I might love it but if it doesn't move the plot or develop character it has to go bye-bye.<BR/><BR/>Glad to hear you are finally getting some time to write. :)Anitra Lynn McLeodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01797697362449591887noreply@blogger.com