Tips for NaNoEdMo
February 24th 2010 21:08
Print out your manuscript. Editing on screen doesn't work.
Get pens and markers in different colours and develop a colour-coding system. I highlight bits that I like, as well - it's useful to remind yourself that not everything you wrote sucks.
If you have time, read your story before you start editing it. This helps with the next point.
Know where you're heading: What's the story you wanted to tell? What do you have to do to tell it?
You wrote a beautiful scene that has nothing to do with your story? Cut it. Save it for another story.
Before you start making edits in your story file, save it as a new version. If you delete anything by accident, you'll have the original file to get it back.
Be ruthless. If you think something doesn't work, cut it.
Remember: Editing makes your story stronger.
Get pens and markers in different colours and develop a colour-coding system. I highlight bits that I like, as well - it's useful to remind yourself that not everything you wrote sucks.
If you have time, read your story before you start editing it. This helps with the next point.
Know where you're heading: What's the story you wanted to tell? What do you have to do to tell it?
You wrote a beautiful scene that has nothing to do with your story? Cut it. Save it for another story.
Before you start making edits in your story file, save it as a new version. If you delete anything by accident, you'll have the original file to get it back.
Be ruthless. If you think something doesn't work, cut it.
Remember: Editing makes your story stronger.
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Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
Some good advice.
The first tip makes me wish I hadn't run out of printer paper halfway through my novel
It would be nice if these things magically appeared... *waits* *waits*... power of suggestion seems to be broken. Darn.
On another note: are you editing anything this NanoEdmo? Are you willing to talk about what you're editing?
~Dianna
Comment by Sonya 1
Freelance Tips
Writing Words
Hope more printer paper appeared from somewhere.
To answer your question: Not sure. I was going to look through my stories this weekend to see if I could polish something other than my HTRYN project. I'm really sick, though - spent most of today in bed and by the looks of it, tomorrow will be more of the same. Also, I'm away from March 10-12 for work and from March 14-21 on vacation, so it doesn't look likely.
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
It didn't... there should be an office supplies store near my place. That would be awesome.
Fair enough... I'm planning on using March break to get a lot of editing and a lot of writing done. (I've got the 14th-19th off of school.) I also will be out of town for two days though...
I'm not going to beat myself up if I don't get 50 hours, as long as I've got the second draft of Phoenix Falling either completely done or mostly done.
~Dianna