![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
No Bad Novels, Merely Bad Writers
How to revise your novel, following the patented Bray method. Note that this method works best when performed by an experienced professional. There is no guarantee of success and the user assumes all inherent risks.
In order to complete this process, you will need the following supplies:
The process begins when my editor emails me the revision letter, which is followed a day or so later by the marked-up hardcopy manuscript.
Step one: thank the editor for the revision letter. She's read the damn book at least twice now, and such sacrifice needs to be acknowledged.
Step two: print the revision letter.
Step three: ignore the print out. Now is a good time to catch up with friends, go out for a nice dinner, or begin shopping for rare DVDs or extra dark chocolate.
Step four: read the revision letter through once. Try not to wince at the number of times your editor is forced to point out what should have been obvious. After you've read the letter, set it aside.
Step five: now is the time to take another day off, while your subconscious thinks about revisions.
Step six: start with a new copy of the story file, turn the "track changes" setting on, and begin making the small changes. The small changes are things like adding/deleting commas, changing names that aren't working and fixing minor continuity problems. As you go through the manuscript take careful note of how many smiley faces have been drawn, showing where you got it right.
Step six-b: despite the overwhelming preponderance of smiley faces, decide that you completely suck as a writer and need to turn in your license to operate a wordprocessor. This is generally a good time to begin the application of alcohol and/or chocolate.
Step seven: While making the small changes, use tape flags and sticky notes to indicate sections you want to come back to, where you'll be making the more significant changes.
Step eight: Having completed the first pass through fixing the small stuff, you've forced yourself to read the entire manuscript, so it's once again fresh in your mind. Now it's time to pick up the revision letter and look at the major points. For each issue raised, determine a plan of attack. This could be as simple as seeding a mention of an object in earlier chapters to hint at its ultimate importance, to something a bit more nuanced, for example looking at every interaction between two characters to see where you can strengthen the romantic tension between them. Or it could involve adding entirely new scenes, for example to turn implicit subplots into explicit ones.
Step nine: A second complete pass through the manuscript, following the revision plan to implement the required changes. Make sure each spot that has been tape-flagged is addressed.
Step ten: Print out the entire manuscript. If you've turned on the "track changes" function then Microsoft will show you exactly what's changed. It will also burn through a color inkjet cartridge, but hey, who's counting?
Step eleven: Read the manuscript just printed out. Realize that in fixing some problems you've just introduced others. Bang your head against desk until dizzy, fix new problems, and print out manuscript again.
Step twelve: Go back to the revision letter. Read it carefully, and for each point raised document how you handled it. (Yes, I know I'm OCD on this stuff.) This is your last chance to decide if you've missed anything.
Step thirteen: Turn off the "track changes" setting and print a clean copy of manuscript. Begin to read printout and realize that it no longer makes sense to you, since you have too many different versions of this story in your head. Instead throw yourself on the mercy of a friend, and bribe her to read the manuscript. See previously acquired supplies of alcohol and chocolate for suitable bribe material.
Step fourteen: Implement final changes and declare yourself done. Print off and mail to editor, along with letter describing changes made.
Step fifteen: Celebrate by consuming any leftover alcohol or chocolate, and watching those DVDs that you bought while in revision-avoidance mode.
In order to complete this process, you will need the following supplies:
- Reams of paper (enough for printing the entire novel at least five times)
- Printer cartridges sufficient for above
- Post-it tape flags and post-it notes
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
- Friend
The process begins when my editor emails me the revision letter, which is followed a day or so later by the marked-up hardcopy manuscript.
Step one: thank the editor for the revision letter. She's read the damn book at least twice now, and such sacrifice needs to be acknowledged.
Step two: print the revision letter.
Step three: ignore the print out. Now is a good time to catch up with friends, go out for a nice dinner, or begin shopping for rare DVDs or extra dark chocolate.
Step four: read the revision letter through once. Try not to wince at the number of times your editor is forced to point out what should have been obvious. After you've read the letter, set it aside.
Step five: now is the time to take another day off, while your subconscious thinks about revisions.
Step six: start with a new copy of the story file, turn the "track changes" setting on, and begin making the small changes. The small changes are things like adding/deleting commas, changing names that aren't working and fixing minor continuity problems. As you go through the manuscript take careful note of how many smiley faces have been drawn, showing where you got it right.
Step six-b: despite the overwhelming preponderance of smiley faces, decide that you completely suck as a writer and need to turn in your license to operate a wordprocessor. This is generally a good time to begin the application of alcohol and/or chocolate.
Step seven: While making the small changes, use tape flags and sticky notes to indicate sections you want to come back to, where you'll be making the more significant changes.
Step eight: Having completed the first pass through fixing the small stuff, you've forced yourself to read the entire manuscript, so it's once again fresh in your mind. Now it's time to pick up the revision letter and look at the major points. For each issue raised, determine a plan of attack. This could be as simple as seeding a mention of an object in earlier chapters to hint at its ultimate importance, to something a bit more nuanced, for example looking at every interaction between two characters to see where you can strengthen the romantic tension between them. Or it could involve adding entirely new scenes, for example to turn implicit subplots into explicit ones.
Step nine: A second complete pass through the manuscript, following the revision plan to implement the required changes. Make sure each spot that has been tape-flagged is addressed.
Step ten: Print out the entire manuscript. If you've turned on the "track changes" function then Microsoft will show you exactly what's changed. It will also burn through a color inkjet cartridge, but hey, who's counting?
Step eleven: Read the manuscript just printed out. Realize that in fixing some problems you've just introduced others. Bang your head against desk until dizzy, fix new problems, and print out manuscript again.
Step twelve: Go back to the revision letter. Read it carefully, and for each point raised document how you handled it. (Yes, I know I'm OCD on this stuff.) This is your last chance to decide if you've missed anything.
Step thirteen: Turn off the "track changes" setting and print a clean copy of manuscript. Begin to read printout and realize that it no longer makes sense to you, since you have too many different versions of this story in your head. Instead throw yourself on the mercy of a friend, and bribe her to read the manuscript. See previously acquired supplies of alcohol and chocolate for suitable bribe material.
Step fourteen: Implement final changes and declare yourself done. Print off and mail to editor, along with letter describing changes made.
Step fifteen: Celebrate by consuming any leftover alcohol or chocolate, and watching those DVDs that you bought while in revision-avoidance mode.
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
Seriously, I love it when you post exactly how you go about breaking down giant projects into manageable sections.
You're my writing hero.
no subject
no subject
(Rushes out to stock up on alcohol and chocolate...)
no subject
sufferenjoy the process together!no subject
no subject
no subject
For all steps involving chocolate, you need this recipe. It is teh awesome.
Pudding Hot Chocolate
3 tbsp. cornstarch
3 cup milk
1 cup semisweet mini chocolate chips (I used the regular size)
1 tsp. vanilla (or you could use alcohol of some particularly yummy type)
In small bowl whisk cornstarch with 1/4 cup of the milk.
In heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat bring remaining 2¾ cup milk, covered, just to a boil. Remove from the heat, add the chips, and stir until the chips are melted and the mixture is smooth.
Reduce the heat to medium and return the milk and chocolate mixture to the stove. Whisking constantly, add the cornstarch mixture to the chocolate mixture. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Cover surface with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming; do not refrigerate.
My aunt, who sent me this recipe, adds: I didn’t see the last part when I made this, and I did refrigerate for several hours, so we had cold pudding hot chocolate, and it was delicious. In fact, I'm going to make some right now.
no subject
no subject
Although, it sounds like even sufficient application of same isn't enough to help with the need to bang one's head against the wall? In which case, maybe there's not much point after all>
no subject
no subject
I used to revise from hard copy only, but now prefer to do most of the work onscreen. I find it's easier to make ruthless changes, as opposed to line-editing and tinkering, if I'm not bound by paper. As follows:
To begin, I make copious notes about re-envisioning major problems. Flow charts, colored diagrams, maps, list of questions, outtakes, pages of free-association, etc., are most useful. Sometimes I take long walks, acting new scenes outloud, if appropriate. I bring my large German Shepherd Dog to discourage other conversations.
Then I copy the entire novel into a new folder and dig in. I slash and burn, add scenes and chapters, move stuff around, end up with something raw and bleeding. If I'm not sure where something goes, or need to refer to something or find it easily, I'll highlight it in yellow.
When I've done all the damage I can think of, I go through the whole thing, smoothing out bumps, finding inconsistencies. This is usually the stage at which I fix nits.
NOW I print out a copy, 3-5 chapters at a time, usually 1.5 spacing, 1/5" top and bottom margins, 11 pt Georgia, to get a more panoramic view. This is my double-check for idiocies and omissions. Sometimes I have to repeat this process, but usually not for the whole ms, only the tough spots.
A final read-through would ideally be done aloud, but I'm rarely that disciplined and usually on too tight a deadline. If I have a trusted reader who isn't sick of the book by now and I have time, I'll ask for another read.
no subject
no subject
no subject
I'm grateful to receive the editorial letter (as well as my agent's comments) and I know that the changes I make ultimately result in a better book. But I don't love the process.
no subject
no subject
I used to do my initial writing entirely by hand, my first typed draft then became my 1st revision. First printing. Then reading everything over for those darned typos. Reprint. Handing over to my Reader for her edits. Reprint. Send to Editor. Wait. Get Editor feedback, make corrections. As I am able to submit to her via email, I usually only have to reprint everything three times... still... that's a shitload of paper and ink.
By the time I send it to the Editor I'm so sick of the damn thing I want to puke.
Really like your #11, btw. Gods.. trying to fix one thing can so mess up a bunch of other things.
As for the chocolate and alcohol. Not for me.. I work best 1st thing in the morning with a cup of coffee... or two... or three. Once those kids are up and out of bed, forget it. The rest of the writing day is shot.
no subject
In the winter when it's cold & dark, not so much.
>>By the time I send it to the Editor I'm so sick of the damn thing I want to puke.
Yup. And then come the joys of copyedits. Not to mention galleys.