I used to think I couldn't edit my work. I considered my ideas fully formed in my head and expressed as I wanted to be on the page. Boy, was I wrong.
I am on the fourth edit of my book. First I content edited in Word as I mentioned in January - the selection, rearrangement, cutting and expanding of the stories. Then I went through the word doc again, still changing, cutting, and rewriting. Then I printed it out as a 6x9 inches book and bound. This was excited, to see it in size as a real book. It gave me a good indication of how many pages I really had at that size. 327! A decent sized book!
Then I went through it again, expecting I would just proof for writing errors, and found myself still changing, cutting, and cutting! Editing on paper is SO important! I really started to see the writing differently. I thought I would be sick of reading it so much, but I found I was loving the writing more, because I wasn't afraid to cut it and make it stronger.
First, I learned I write too much like I speak. That is, I use too many run on sentences. I put into too many 'and', 'so', 'while', 'since'. I make very long sentences that connect thoughts but are laborious to read.
Secondly, I learned my writing can get too formal. I resist using contractions. In the pursuit of using novel phrase, I avoid straight forward sentences. Instead, I make my reader wind through excessive phrasing and odd vocabulary.
Third, I over use the word "actually". This is followed by "just", and "also".
I have read two quotes that have been revelations to me, and completely changed how I view and approach my writing.
One is, writing a memoir is not writing a confessional or a tell-all diary. Just because something happened to you does not mean it belongs in the story. The question to keep asking yourself is: is this relevant to the reader, not is this relevant to me.
This has been so helpful. Swathes of detail that slowed the stories down, not enhanced them, has been culled. What is the point of the tale, and what does the reader need to know to engage with it?
The other quote I read was do not write to get revenge or if you are angry at someone. Often in my stories, I wrote things that were slingshots at former friends and colleagues to express anger I still had at them. This has all been unnecessary. I have purged the stories of these comments and judgements, and they breathe so much easier now. And in a way, it has helped me to heal. The story is not about my anger at them, nor should it be.
They say edit until you can edit no more. I feel I am getting close. There are 22 chapters in the book. I have two more to complete in this stage. I think will print this version out and bind it again, and then read from the page for what I truly hope is just a proof read. There is also a point I have to say, ""I am happy with that overall" and not get pedantic about tweaking, which I know some authors may disagree with.
It has been a very exciting journey thus far. Stay tuned!
xx,
Suzanne
I am on the fourth edit of my book. First I content edited in Word as I mentioned in January - the selection, rearrangement, cutting and expanding of the stories. Then I went through the word doc again, still changing, cutting, and rewriting. Then I printed it out as a 6x9 inches book and bound. This was excited, to see it in size as a real book. It gave me a good indication of how many pages I really had at that size. 327! A decent sized book!
Then I went through it again, expecting I would just proof for writing errors, and found myself still changing, cutting, and cutting! Editing on paper is SO important! I really started to see the writing differently. I thought I would be sick of reading it so much, but I found I was loving the writing more, because I wasn't afraid to cut it and make it stronger.
First, I learned I write too much like I speak. That is, I use too many run on sentences. I put into too many 'and', 'so', 'while', 'since'. I make very long sentences that connect thoughts but are laborious to read.
Secondly, I learned my writing can get too formal. I resist using contractions. In the pursuit of using novel phrase, I avoid straight forward sentences. Instead, I make my reader wind through excessive phrasing and odd vocabulary.
Third, I over use the word "actually". This is followed by "just", and "also".
I have read two quotes that have been revelations to me, and completely changed how I view and approach my writing.
One is, writing a memoir is not writing a confessional or a tell-all diary. Just because something happened to you does not mean it belongs in the story. The question to keep asking yourself is: is this relevant to the reader, not is this relevant to me.
This has been so helpful. Swathes of detail that slowed the stories down, not enhanced them, has been culled. What is the point of the tale, and what does the reader need to know to engage with it?
The other quote I read was do not write to get revenge or if you are angry at someone. Often in my stories, I wrote things that were slingshots at former friends and colleagues to express anger I still had at them. This has all been unnecessary. I have purged the stories of these comments and judgements, and they breathe so much easier now. And in a way, it has helped me to heal. The story is not about my anger at them, nor should it be.
They say edit until you can edit no more. I feel I am getting close. There are 22 chapters in the book. I have two more to complete in this stage. I think will print this version out and bind it again, and then read from the page for what I truly hope is just a proof read. There is also a point I have to say, ""I am happy with that overall" and not get pedantic about tweaking, which I know some authors may disagree with.
It has been a very exciting journey thus far. Stay tuned!
xx,
Suzanne
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