Editing is a challenge ...
It's not so much the twice written descriptions I object to cutting. Once is enough.
I'm treating the book as a Haiku challenge - how few words can you use and still say the same thing?
Worryingly, I have found myself changing words and substituting not 'up-levelled' vocabulary but 'dummed-down' instead.
I read the advice on self-editing I found on the on-line writers forum entitled 'Kill the baby'.
This is just so apt - I do think of the book as a member of the family.
I have kept a copy of the 'whole thing' and am not unhappy comparing the original manuscript with the new one. Briefer and tighter - no wasted spaces and all that - the story is still true to the intent.
I have begun Edit 2 - Return of the editor!
Every word is again fighting to explain it's presence on the page
I even managed to comment without feeling the need to count syllables or look for appropriate rhymes - phew!
I was worried when I woke up and realised I was counting my first thoughts in syllables - composing almost in my sleep! That is taking Haiku poet status to an unhealthy place!
Only the 4 Haikus today and that was because Twitter wasn't updating in real enough time!
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Monday, 4 May 2009
Edit 1 complete
Too little coffee and too much editing - job done!
Word count - 109,055 - plot, sub plots, threads and storylines all present and correct!
Now it's time for late lunch/ early dinner - then some real work... thank goodness for Bank Holidays!
Word count - 109,055 - plot, sub plots, threads and storylines all present and correct!
Now it's time for late lunch/ early dinner - then some real work... thank goodness for Bank Holidays!
Two-thirds edited
Finished up to the end of Chapter 15!
CURRENT TOTAL 111,422
There are a lot fewer words getting the chop from the middle third of the book - I hope this just indicates better writing once I got into the swing of it and the whole thing seemed less daunting.
Either way I'm looking forward to the first lot of feed back from the target audience!
I got a lot done - Editing, Twittering and Blogging! Busy day!
ATTENTION FLOATS
White cumulus clouds
drift in a sky of soft blue;
my thoughts follow too.
Come in Character
MAELSTROM:
Loud, scary music -
barking much worse than their bite;
had such fun tonight!
EDITOR FOR A DAY:
Cutting words away;
editing all of today
so the numbers fall.
TWITTER HAIKU POET:
To grapple with words
capturing image and rhyme;
it's how I spend time.
CURRENT TOTAL 111,422
There are a lot fewer words getting the chop from the middle third of the book - I hope this just indicates better writing once I got into the swing of it and the whole thing seemed less daunting.
Either way I'm looking forward to the first lot of feed back from the target audience!
I got a lot done - Editing, Twittering and Blogging! Busy day!
ATTENTION FLOATS
White cumulus clouds
drift in a sky of soft blue;
my thoughts follow too.
Come in Character
MAELSTROM:
Loud, scary music -
barking much worse than their bite;
had such fun tonight!
EDITOR FOR A DAY:
Cutting words away;
editing all of today
so the numbers fall.
TWITTER HAIKU POET:
To grapple with words
capturing image and rhyme;
it's how I spend time.
Sunday, 3 May 2009
Busy, busy morning...
Got as far as persuading Windows 2007 to mesh with 2003
Then spent some time with the essential tasks of Twittering and Blogging - and a little washing and 'stuff':
WASTED MORNING:
Sun’s reached its zenith;
Slippery minutes ticked by -
Time must be liquid.
THE EDITING PROCESS:
My beta reader,
positive, helpful and nice,
helped me chop and dice.
(She really read the first chapter and asked all the correct questions and wanted to read more - early days in the process. I have two more unrealated (to me and each other) 14 year olds reading the book. This should give me useful feed back re writing style and content.)
130,000 to 113,000 words – still editing
Then spent some time with the essential tasks of Twittering and Blogging - and a little washing and 'stuff':
WASTED MORNING:
Sun’s reached its zenith;
Slippery minutes ticked by -
Time must be liquid.
THE EDITING PROCESS:
My beta reader,
positive, helpful and nice,
helped me chop and dice.
(She really read the first chapter and asked all the correct questions and wanted to read more - early days in the process. I have two more unrealated (to me and each other) 14 year olds reading the book. This should give me useful feed back re writing style and content.)
130,000 to 113,000 words – still editing
Saturday, 2 May 2009
Poetry is not exactly writing
Honestly, I am working on the book really
Gina wrote a Haiku and it kept buzzing around in my head - until it came out here:
My life-script was writ
before I was even born;
my part, once lived, ends.
IF SO MY LIFE NEEDS A RE-WRITE!
Gina wrote a Haiku and it kept buzzing around in my head - until it came out here:
My life-script was writ
before I was even born;
my part, once lived, ends.
IF SO MY LIFE NEEDS A RE-WRITE!
Friday, 1 May 2009
Will someone not rid me of this need to write on Blogs...
and Twitter?!
Oh dear! I'm seemed to be addicted to writing verse!
I only wandered onto Twitter because I noticed someone was ‘following’ – ‘back off with the smug’ all ye who have a mighty hoard following your every tweet! I’m excited!
While there, I noticed that Swine Flu (H1N1) is a popular topic for ‘tweeting’ at the moment – I came over 'all poetical' and had to write another Haiku.
Soon I'll be in need of interventions, or I’ll be communicating only in form poetry, then where will the family be? Poor things!
With most profound apologies to the Bard because I just couldn't resist it a little plagiarism (seems to be every where at the moment):
H1N1
Out! Out! Damned germ spot!
One! Two! Then pestilent 'flu!
Will hands ne'er be cleaned?
Oh dear! I'm seemed to be addicted to writing verse!
I only wandered onto Twitter because I noticed someone was ‘following’ – ‘back off with the smug’ all ye who have a mighty hoard following your every tweet! I’m excited!
While there, I noticed that Swine Flu (H1N1) is a popular topic for ‘tweeting’ at the moment – I came over 'all poetical' and had to write another Haiku.
Soon I'll be in need of interventions, or I’ll be communicating only in form poetry, then where will the family be? Poor things!
With most profound apologies to the Bard because I just couldn't resist it a little plagiarism (seems to be every where at the moment):
H1N1
Out! Out! Damned germ spot!
One! Two! Then pestilent 'flu!
Will hands ne'er be cleaned?
Editing - so it must be the weekend
Editing is a very worthy occupation, and I won't hear a word said against editors - in general!
But editing is not exactly writing, is it?
After my first visit, to my second Writer's Circle, I have decided that I have to write something everyday!
Owing to the need for sleep, I have decided that my minimum daily writing toll must be a Haiku.
I know that purists frown on form, but you'll have to count me out of the 'pure' zone because I love Haikus.
HAIKU
Counted syllables -
the distilled essence of verse;
expansively brief!
On my Twitter account, which is, after all, the ideal place for a Haiku or two - I wrote today's first offering:
TWILIGHT
Deep spreading shadow
clawing back comforting night .
Shroud me dark mantle.
But editing is not exactly writing, is it?
After my first visit, to my second Writer's Circle, I have decided that I have to write something everyday!
Owing to the need for sleep, I have decided that my minimum daily writing toll must be a Haiku.
I know that purists frown on form, but you'll have to count me out of the 'pure' zone because I love Haikus.
HAIKU
Counted syllables -
the distilled essence of verse;
expansively brief!
On my Twitter account, which is, after all, the ideal place for a Haiku or two - I wrote today's first offering:
TWILIGHT
Deep spreading shadow
clawing back comforting night .
Shroud me dark mantle.
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