Self-editing

[pbray]

Today's writing thought is brought to you by the Gospel of Matthew:

"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"

THE FIRST BETRAYAL will be published in June, and Bantam has kindly requested the opening scenes from the next book so they can be included as a teaser. I've been tinkering with one of the scenes because it's not quite right, but I can't figure out what's wrong with it. I finally sent it off to my critique partner for advice.

Meanwhile, my critique partner sent me the prologue for her new story. I can't find the freaking beam in my scene, but a quick read through and I can spot the motes in hers. It's all little stuff, the equivalent of nudging the dial so the radio station will come in crystal clear. A few quick edits and she'll have this nailed.

If I could only figure out how to look at my stuff with a stranger's eye, I'd have this whole writing gig nailed. Or possibly a split personality disorder but I'm willing to take my chances.

Comments

[fancythat2.livejournal.com]

Where's your evil twin? Or should that be the 'good twin'?

[jennifer-dunne.livejournal.com]

I *am* her good twin! :-)

And her critique totally rocked. She found a good-sized beam in my story, not just motes.

[fancythat2.livejournal.com]

*Enter Instigation Mode*
So, are you saying that pbray is evil? :-)
*End Instigation Mode*

Congrats, beams rock!

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Yes. See icon.

[fancythat2.livejournal.com]

*laugh*
I love that Darth Tater icon!

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Glad I could be of help.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

I am my own evil twin. It's simpler that way.

[fancythat2.livejournal.com]

I am my own evil twin as well because it's more fun.

[wretlind.livejournal.com]

If I could only figure out how to look at my stuff with a stranger's eye, I'd have this whole writing gig nailed.

Not that I have anything relevant to add, but what I've found useful while editing is to look at the story/scene/novel in a different format (new font, spacing, margins, etc.) and in a new location (bedroom versus office, bathroom versus chaise lounge). When you view your work this way, it's no longer familiar. Familiarity is a problem, in some cases.

I've found more motes and more beams this way than I ever had before.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

I like the idea of looking at things in a different format--perhaps changing the manuscript format into single-spaced Times New Roman, so it looks more like a book.

[shadowhelm.livejournal.com]

Congrats!

You know, it's really hard to step back from your work. Usually I need time to do it properly.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Letting time pass is indeed the trick. Otherwise I can only get so far, and need to rely on an outside opinion.

[shadowhelm.livejournal.com]

Usually I have one or two people willing to read and give feedback. But feedback is really tricky because I've gotten bad feedback from good sources.

Eventually, you just have to trust your writing ability and accept the outcome.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

You make an excellent point. I know good writers whose feedback is worthless to me, because our writing styles are so dissimilar.

[shadowhelm.livejournal.com]

Hard-learned advice. Unfortunately, I trashed a novel because of it.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

:-(