Breakthrough!
Those several runs through the manuscript I talked about last week? Yeah, no.
First off, as I started reading I realized I was BORED within three pages, so I stalled for a day, until I remembered another bit of writerly advice: "Delete the first scene."
I went back in, starting at the second scene as if it was the beginning of the entire book, and it worked! I made some notes of places to drop in information provided in the previous "first" scene, and was much more interested in the story.
Second, I'm a multi-tasker. They say that's not always a good thing, but it works for me in this case. I'm an editor. I see the details and the word-changes and the "needs to be expanded" all at once. I simply CAN'T with the "go through it once with a focus on X, then again to focus on Y..." I can't. It's too slow. That's probably very good advice for people who aren't trained to notice errors in writing, but in my previous life I worked in tight deadlines fixing intricate documents, and had to do it all in one pass, then once more for proof-reading. It's my M.O.
I am, however, ecstatic about that "delete the first scene" advice. Game changer for me. Now, I'm in my editing heaven, and halfway through this revision. So my advice, if anyone cares, is to read all you can about the process and advice from the pros, but then find YOUR OWN way. Some processes will work for you, some will not.
First off, as I started reading I realized I was BORED within three pages, so I stalled for a day, until I remembered another bit of writerly advice: "Delete the first scene."
I went back in, starting at the second scene as if it was the beginning of the entire book, and it worked! I made some notes of places to drop in information provided in the previous "first" scene, and was much more interested in the story.
Second, I'm a multi-tasker. They say that's not always a good thing, but it works for me in this case. I'm an editor. I see the details and the word-changes and the "needs to be expanded" all at once. I simply CAN'T with the "go through it once with a focus on X, then again to focus on Y..." I can't. It's too slow. That's probably very good advice for people who aren't trained to notice errors in writing, but in my previous life I worked in tight deadlines fixing intricate documents, and had to do it all in one pass, then once more for proof-reading. It's my M.O.
I am, however, ecstatic about that "delete the first scene" advice. Game changer for me. Now, I'm in my editing heaven, and halfway through this revision. So my advice, if anyone cares, is to read all you can about the process and advice from the pros, but then find YOUR OWN way. Some processes will work for you, some will not.
Sounds like you're making great progress. Due to writing so much flash - short and concise - I write my first draft without looking back or editing (other than a brief read of what I wrote the day before). NaNoWriMo style. Then my first edit I end up not only rewriting but adding in a lot of background stuff, fleshing things out. Set aside, then read it again for editing before giving to hubby for the first read. Keep up the good work!
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I actually have two other first drafts awaiting edit. I wrote all three in different ways, and my current WIP is coming together totally differently! I'm not sure which one I'll prefer, in the end. It'll depend on how much work editing is for each one, I assume.
DeleteI'm looking forward to the end result!
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