CornerScribe

Some notes on editing

I’ve been working on editing my novel, and I thought I might share the process I go through to do so.

First, I break the novel down into scenes. Each chapter might be one or (more often) several scenes. I make a quick note of each scene in each chapter, which yields a rudimentary outline. Of course, if you write from outline in the first place, this step should be pretty quick.

Then, I evaluate each scene and decide if it stays or goes. Does the scene contribute to the overall plot?  Does the scene accomplish something that no other scene does?

Then, I decide if I need to add any scenes. Since I write without an outline, sometimes I want to work in a scene or two to foreshadow an event later in the novel.

After I have an outline of all the scenes that will be in the novel, then I begin reworking scene by scene. One of the first things I do is evaluate the level of conflict in the scene. What kind of conflict is it? Can I show the conflict that’s going on in a better way?

Then, I look at the setting, descriptions, etc. I tend to be a little sparse on setting during the rough draft, so I need to make a conscious effort to work that in.

After reworking all the scenes, then I begin to tackle dialogue. I want my characters to have their own voices, but often those unique voices don’t fully develop until well into the novel. I use a highligher and mark each of the main characters’ dialogue in a different color. Then, I read each character’s dialogue on its own and make any changes that I feel are needed.

Finally, when that’s finished, I correct any grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.

Sound time consuming? It is.

For those of you who are wondering, I’m still at step one. I’m outlining and evaluating which scenes will stay in the novel. I have a long way to go!