I'm not sure, but I think that's the official term. I'm still slogging through revisions of book I, cutting out plot threads to simplify the overall theme and clarifying anything "muddy".
All this means, I'm ready to pull my hair out!
Anytime I change one thing, I have to go back to the beginning and make certain I've pulled out every reference. It's monotonous. However, I'm looking and finding new ways to add layering, make the metaphors more unique and drive the motivations deeper. I guess it was a good thing. (At least that's what I'm telling myself!)
Back to work.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Monday, April 9, 2007
A New Perspective on Editing . . .
I took this great class about a week ago on editing. Specifically, the EDITS system of editing that has caused me to to look at my work in a whole new light. It was given by Margie Lawson. I'm putting a link to her website here, because it was a definitive moment in my comprehension of the writing craft.
It's a simple system of color-coding the elements which allows the writer to take a deeper look at their narrative and prose. So many times, we read over the same stuff over and over until the words blur, the meaning slides into our consciousness like water, nourishing but tasteless. We're too close to the project. We need another set of eyes, or . . . another way of editing.
So, having put this system in place over the last week, I can report several areas of what I considered my "near perfect" mss where I missed opportunities to make my writing "sparkle." Places I'd revised so many times my brain was numb.
But with the EDITS system, it's clear what's missing on the page. I highly recommend it. If you're interested, visit Margie Lawson's website. You won't regret it.
It's a simple system of color-coding the elements which allows the writer to take a deeper look at their narrative and prose. So many times, we read over the same stuff over and over until the words blur, the meaning slides into our consciousness like water, nourishing but tasteless. We're too close to the project. We need another set of eyes, or . . . another way of editing.
So, having put this system in place over the last week, I can report several areas of what I considered my "near perfect" mss where I missed opportunities to make my writing "sparkle." Places I'd revised so many times my brain was numb.
But with the EDITS system, it's clear what's missing on the page. I highly recommend it. If you're interested, visit Margie Lawson's website. You won't regret it.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
April Fools . . .
My little dog is having a fit over the neighbor's new bulldog. I have to admit, she's really cute--for a dog! But my little guy's only 6 1/2 lbs! (Shih Tzu) I keep trying to explain to him it's not meant to be, but he keeps squeezing himself through the dang fence!
Which is inspiring, in a mixed up way. His "urges" have forced me to stop and smell the flower buds. Literally. I stood in my yard and took a mental snapshot of everything going on around me.
Spring is here and with it, change. Everything is fresh and new, a rebirth of the old and a dawning of new growth yet to come. Colors seem brighter. The air is fresh with anticipation. Smiles of my children and husband seem sweeter. And the glorious sun brighter and warmer after the long weeks of winter.
The days have lengthened and the possibilities seem wide open.
There's a big change looming on our horizon. It's the last six weeks of high school for my oldest. She seems aprehensive and exhuberant all at the same time. My husband and I mirror her sentiments.
There's a bit of a lost look in her eyes, as well. I remember feeling that way, too. So, as I stood there in the yard, drinking in the smell of hyacinth in the shade of our big oaks, the dependable blades of St. Augustine between my toes, I told myself it was okay to be a little foolish today. Time enough to be sober and serious tomorrow. Besides, April Fool's Day only comes around once a year.
Viva la Fools!
Which is inspiring, in a mixed up way. His "urges" have forced me to stop and smell the flower buds. Literally. I stood in my yard and took a mental snapshot of everything going on around me.
Spring is here and with it, change. Everything is fresh and new, a rebirth of the old and a dawning of new growth yet to come. Colors seem brighter. The air is fresh with anticipation. Smiles of my children and husband seem sweeter. And the glorious sun brighter and warmer after the long weeks of winter.
The days have lengthened and the possibilities seem wide open.
There's a big change looming on our horizon. It's the last six weeks of high school for my oldest. She seems aprehensive and exhuberant all at the same time. My husband and I mirror her sentiments.
There's a bit of a lost look in her eyes, as well. I remember feeling that way, too. So, as I stood there in the yard, drinking in the smell of hyacinth in the shade of our big oaks, the dependable blades of St. Augustine between my toes, I told myself it was okay to be a little foolish today. Time enough to be sober and serious tomorrow. Besides, April Fool's Day only comes around once a year.
Viva la Fools!
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