Some Tips on Revising, And Failure

Okay, this will probably be a relatively short post, as I am considerably lacking on things to say. Of what I can think to say, however, I will now tell you.

First off, Of Light and Lividity Book One: Lux currently stands at 42,000k words. Slowly but surely creeping toward the end. And I'm REALLY excited 'cause I'm about twenty/thirty pages away from the point at which the cart tips over the top of the roller-coaster, and barrels toward the end. =)

In my novels and publication class, we had the most genius and inspired lesson EVER on revision. Most off the information --- as we listened to it in class --- was retrieved from the Writing Excuses podcast featuring Brandon Sanderson, Howard Taylor, Dan Wells, Mary Robinette Kowal. One of the best podcasts for writing I've ever seen (and, no, it's not just because one of my favorite authors ever co-hosts). You can check out this link to visit the page and listen to the podcast. And/or, you can stick around and read my notes from class --- which, BTW, was a lot more helpful. Though, I'd recommend both.

Six Step Editing System

“The first draft is for what you want to say; the final draft is how you want to say it”

1)      1) Triage = Add (Partially Wounded), Cut (Totally Dead), Change (Possibly salvageable.) > By scene, usually.

2)      2) Consistency/Voice edit > voice, description, character.

3)      3)Quality Edit (Poetic Value). > The similes, the metaphors, depth of characters’ observation, poetic elements.

4)      4) Syllabic Edit (literary quality). > Words, syllables (is there a different way I can say this?), sentences sentence fluency, can I combine them? Can I shorten them? Etc.) “Finally,” conjunctions, “then.”

5)      5)Shotgun Edit. Any and everything all at once. > Make a to do list of things to fix as you read through . . . again . . .

      6)Line Edit. Go over grammar and punctuation. Proofread. > Print it in a new typeface, a bigger font, and then sit down and read aloud.

      

       This week, I went to a book signing at the Provo, Utah Public Library featuring: Becca Fitzpatrick (author of the Hush, Hush series), Elana Johnson (Can't wait to read her book Possession, it should be appearing on the blog soon.), Michelle Hodkin (Her book: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer should also appear in the near future), and Moira Young (author of The Blood Red Road), really, really fun. I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

       Since right now I'm currently reading The Lost Saint by Bree Despain, and I've already plugged and rated that particular series, I am going to promote one of my favorite books EVER; well, granted I have a lot of "favorite books EVER"s, but you'll let it slide this once, right? So, the New York Times best-seller: Across the Universe by Beth Revis. I've actually met Beth, and she is hilarious and funny, not to mention a ginormous Harry Potter fan . . . just like me. The second book: A Million Suns comes out next January and I CAN'T wait!

     

      This week instead of a song, how about a little inspiration from Beth Revis herself? In case you haven't been paying attention, she wrote Across the Universe. Just a little heads up . . . =) P.S. If you look at Beth's bookshelf, you can see all the Harry Potter books . . . AAHH! Sorry. Just watch the video.

      

     ~Jared