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Over to Robin now...
I know some writers dread the revision/editing phase of a
manuscript. I actually like it! I know that when I’m finished, the story will
be richer and more pulled-together than in the first draft, which is any
writer’s goal.
I try to make sure I have enough time between when I finish the
book and my deadline that I can set it aside and let it ‘rest’ for a bit in my
brain. Two weeks is ideal, but sometimes life happens and I don’t get that full
two weeks. When I’m deeply immersed in a
story, it’s hard to see it with impartial eyes. But after the resting period,
things that don’t work become more clear when I read it through again. And often, too, the muse helps out even when
I haven’t begun revising yet! I’ll be in
the shower or walking the dog and I’ll have an ah-ha! moment about a scene with
a new idea to make it better.
Just prior to sitting down to revise, I pull out two writing
craft books I love. One is Revision & Self-Editing by James Scott Bell and
the other is Writing The Breakout Novel by Donald Maass. The Maass book asks
specific questions, and often finding answers to even just a few of them helps
me deepen the story or a character. Then I read through my manuscript from beginning
to end, and while I get rid of things here and there, I always end up with a
higher word count than the first draft.
I am blessed to have a wonderful agent, Cori Deyoe of Three Seas
Literary Agency, who is a former romance writer. Thankfully, she enjoys the editing
process. She does a great job finding
little spots where a character’s actions don’t ring true for her, or something
else that doesn’t quite work. Having that extra set of eyes helps tremendously.
Lastly, my editor at Harlequin Mills & Boon, Laurie Johnson, also has a
keen eye and her suggestions are always right on target and extremely helpful
in the final stage of edits.
I guess the bottom line is that it takes a village for me to
write and edit a book! I feel so lucky
to have medical experts to consult, great craft books in my library, and great
editors to work with.
A family he didn't know he wanted…
When ex-flame Dr. Danielle Sheridan arrives at Chase Bowen's African clinic he's captivated by her… and her little son! Three years ago Chase turned down Dani's surprise marriage proposal—their life was just too dangerous for a family—but he didn't know she was pregnant! Losing Dani once was hard enough. Losing her twice is not an option. Especially when he's already fallen for his adorable son, Drew. Now Chase is determined to make Dani his again—starting with an undeniable acceptance of her three-year-old proposal!
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CHANGED BY HIS SON'S SMILE
Great post! It definitely helps to have a village to help ensure revisions are *just* right! :)
ReplyDeleteSo true, Meradeth! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI like to have time to let my manuscript rest before I tackle revisions too. It makes such a difference when you get that time away.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Kelly! Another reason to keep those daily word counts and not get too behind, isn't it? :-)
DeleteI find writing something else helps me clear a story from my mind, so I can edit it with a bit of impartiality.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I don't usually do that but it's a great idea! I think I'll give that a try while 'resting' my next wip - thanks, Patsy!
DeleteHi Robin, I'm reading this right now and loving it, it's a very exciting Medical in the way that it's set outside of the "normal" hospital situation, loving it! :) Tash
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that, Tash! I would love to hear from you when you're finished with it, to learn what you thought of the whole book. I'm on Facebook, my website is RobinGianna.com, and Twitter @robin_gianna. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun romance and I hope it all works out in the end!
ReplyDeleteI like the editing process too- and I definitely need time away from my writing before I can do it justice. It is amazing how different my writing looks when I have had a little break from it. Thanks for sharing the resources you use, Robin. I will have to get them!
Happy New year to Robin and Nas!
~Jess
Thank you, Jess! Happy New Year to you and yours! May it be healthy and happy. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteThe polishing phase is a lot of work, but it's so rewarding to see the finished product in the end. I'm 40K through my thriller with another 70K to go, but it's tightening up nicely.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good way to put it, Milo! The reward of having an end result you're happy with is worth slogging through the revision :-) Best of luck with your thriller!
DeleteRevising and editing can be fun; my problem is knowing when to "stop", if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteThis books sounds super. Matter of fact, I just now bought it. (Do you have any idea how dangerous it can be to have my Kindle within reach when I'm on the computer...?)
Happy New Year!
Thank you so much, Susan! Would love to know what you think of it!
DeleteI know what you mean about the 'stopping.' I remember an author once saying you're never really 'done,' you just have to know when to be 'done enough' :-)
I'm usually pretty fed up with my books after I've done my first edits, so I'm very happy to farm them out to other readers, editors and proofreaders! As you say, it's a team effort. Thanks for sharing this! You are published by such professionals, that's real kudos for you too!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Val! Yes, my writer friends and I all moan about how sick we are of the book when we've been revising and revising and are on the home stretch. You feel like you never want to see it again! Then you have that break and in the very final edits you remember why you liked the book :-)
DeleteI love the editing stage as well. There's something special about whipping a great story into shape and making it even better than you first imagined.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only crazy one, Lynda! ;-) It definitely is a feeling of satisfaction, isn't it? Though I admit that when I'm all done, I don't want to look at it again for awhile!
ReplyDelete