Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Brainwaves

I finished the paper edit/rewrite of my second story yesterday - changed quite a few things, but haven't cut everything thankfully.

So now to the laptop part. This takes much longer as I often just note directions on paper rather than the specific wording. Also as I work through the hard copy I'll often have a brainwave about a character or a scene that needs to come before, so I'll go back scribble a note like: "Andrew has OCD!!!" or "Eamon needs to mention something to Andrew here to stop him from telling Sophia" which often scraps what I'd already written previously.

But it's all good. I'm happy that I've eroded the plot holes at this stage (at least the ones I've spotted) and have improved the story and the flow. God bless Sol Stein. I made notes when I read Solutions for Writers and I go over them again before each edit. His advice is slowly but surely invading my fuzzy, bubble-wrapped brain.

8 comments:

HelenMWalters said...

I must get hold of that Sol Stein book. I've heard lots of good things about it. Well done, sounds like you're going great guns!

Lane Mathias said...

I haven't read his book either but I think I must.
It's like doing an extra edit when you transfer from paper to computer isn't it. Lengthens the process but I think it probably helps you to see the holes .... at least I'm hoping it does:-)

Alix said...

Glad your working through it slowly but surely and feeling positive :)

Yvonne said...

Helen, it's a very inspiring book. Thanks!

Lane, I think it's worth a read. You're right about the extra edit, it actually calms my nerves a little that I'm editing twice - because I get concerned that I'm not editing my new parts, if you know what I mean.

Alix, thanks!

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Oh no, I think I have to order this book too. I've just had a delivery today too.

Yvonne said...

Debs, a great excuse to get another delivery! I read How To Write a Damn Good Novel before too, which was good but Solutions for Writers was better when it came to the edit.

Karen said...

I keep meaning to get hold of that book - I've heard good things about it. Sounds like things are ticking along nicely :o)

Yvonne said...

Karen, I've definitely got into the groove.