I'm in the process of editing the novel I began during NaNo 2008. I'm very proud of the story but editing is coming slowly, I was wondering if anyone out there has any tips on editing effectively so I won't need to pour over it a billion times to get it right. I'm really excited to finish this guys and I'll probably post it on the site when it's finished. That's about it, thanks.
"I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone you want the rest of your life to begin as soon as possible."
Editing is all about going it over a thousand times, though! I've rewritten the beginning to my novel 16 or so times. Each rewrite, I'm happy with it. Then the story progresses and I learn more; I'm not as happy with the beginning. I've had to resist editing that much, since I want to finish this novel, but I do know I'll be editing a ton.
So, don't worry about getting it perfect the first time. Chances are, you'll have to go through 3+ drafts before you get something you really really like. Just keep going, finding out what you like and don't, and bring it to a point you're happy with. Then, learn a bit more, and go back to looking at the draft again. Repeat.
In short? Just edit to the best of your abilities, and see where you go from there.
~Rosey
A writer is a world trapped in a person— Victor Hugo
Ink is blood. Paper is bandages. The wounded press books to their heart to know they're not alone.
Come up with specific tasks. Like, "I need to rewrite this chapter." Or, "I need to change this description." And systematically go through them.
Also, don't try to delude yourself into making something work when it obviously doesn't want to. It'll save you lots of time!
Ubi caritas est vera, Deus ibi est.
"The mark of your ignorance is the depth of your belief in injustice and tragedy. What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls the butterfly." ~ Richard Bach
