The Hollow Crown revision process step one
So I’m usually rather disorganized about my editing process. My editor sends me a letter giving me her feedback. Usually that involves a couple of pages of the larger issues, then a list of things by page number that are much smaller issues to deal with.
The way I usually approach the revisions (once I’ve howled and stomped my feet that it isn’t perfect–not that I expected it to be, but I can dream, can’t I?) Anyhow, the way I usually approach things is to scribble notes all over the editorial letter so that I can remember what my thoughts are as I go through, and then I start at the beginning and just start rewriting from page one. I do this because I’m a linear writer and so I need to start at the beginning and push forward.
This time, I’m trying to be more organized about it. First, I printed the manuscript out in comment mode, which means that the page numbers match my editor’s page numbers, but the print is about 9 point and I have two inch margins on the sides and three inch margins at the bottom–lots of room for making notes.
The next step is to go through and put post it notes on the pages where my editor indicated problems. After that, I’ll go back through and mark the specific problems so that I’ll be able to notice them when I get there.
After that, I will go back and read the whole book and try not to take a lot of notes, unless something obvious jumps off the page. Then I’ll start at the beginning and reread the chapter, and then go through and make changes to it, then rinse and repeat.
Hopefully this means I’ll be able to approach the changes more carefully. We’ll see. Reports to follow . . .
Originally published at www.dianapfrancis.com. You can comment here or there.
And I thought it was perfect.....
So that leaves out the burning and trashing...
Purple hair dye makes it easier. It channels the creative, revision muse.
And looks cool.