Friday, April 5, 2013

Exploring Editing Methods


            I have a love/hate relationship with editing. On one hand, it can turn a rough manuscript into a cohesive thing of beauty. But getting to that place… ugh!
            During last year’s E blog entry, I wrote about some of the challenges I faced with my own manuscripts. However, every author is going to have different strengths and weaknesses. Not the same type of editing process is going to work as well for everyone.
            Most of the time, I employ the method that the folks at NaNoWriMo advocate: finish the novel before you go back to edit a single word. When it comes to NaNo, the object is to write 50,000 words in a month, so there isn’t any time for editing. And because you’re writing at such a furious pace, some amazing things can come from your creativity when you’re not over-thinking things. The only problem I’ve found with this method is that my first draft is a chaotic mess!

Every November, I silence my inner editor
while I work on my NaNoWriMo project

            I’ve heard of other authors who edit as they go. They begin each day by reading over what they’ve written the day before and cleaning it up. Only after editing, will they move on to writing new material. Using this method, you’ll end up with a neater first draft, though it’ll probably take longer to get there.
            I’m giving this second method a try with my current manuscript. The biggest difference I can see so far is that I wouldn’t try the edit-as-you-go method unless you have a clear idea, maybe even an outline, of exactly where your story is going. Some major elements can change from the beginning of a book to the end if you don’t know where you’re going. This means a lot of editing for continuity will be necessary. So why bother giving each sentence, each paragraph, a quick polish as you go when you may end up deleting entire sections with a continuity edit? Granted, you’ll still do continuity editing with both editing styles, but there may be less of it if you’ve got a clear map of your story from day one.
            So what kind of editing method do you use, fellow authors? If you’ve tried different methods, what works best for you and why?

7 comments:

  1. Usually, I edit as I go. I move forward on the manuscript and then go back and fix. Then move forward, then back again. However, with JeRoWriMo in Februrary, I finished the manuscript in one fell swoop--30,000 words in a month, but then I still have editing to do. Either way, it's the polishing that seems to take the most time.

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    1. I agree, Penelope! As long as it takes for the first draft, it always seems to take me much longer to do the editing. It may also be because I never seem to be able to know when enough is enough!

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  2. I'm so proud of you! I can't even fathom what it feels like to have your "baby" judged, sliced and changed. How you can keep going through multiple edits is amazing and my hat is off to you!
    Heather the Evil Twin, visiting with love from the A-to-Z Challenge @ thewinetwins.blogspot.com

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    1. I tell you, the first look at your editor's edits is a blow to the ego! But I almost always agree with what they have to say, so it's totally worth it. Sending your book out for reviews, however... ugh!

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  3. I am typically an edit as I go kind of girl, more because I just can't help myself. That's what's so hard about NaNo for me... turning off the inner editor. :-(

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    1. I totally understand! It's tough to turn off the inner editor, but she's can really be a nitpicky bitch, you know? Lol!

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  4. My inner Saturn needs to be told to take a hike! :(

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