Editing. A thing very much unlike writing as much as it is the same thing.
I have found editing my work a paradox of both being like writing and very much unlike writing.
As a result, it has taken me a long time to feel like I have started to understand the process. I’m not sure I have entirely grasped the finer points but I have a few ideas now. If you don’t mind, I’d like to share what I have learned.
Beware when words start to form gangs
There are some words that come up far more often than others. This is normal and healthy. For me, these words are “was” and “has”. Yours might be different.
I invested a lot of effort into removing all instances of one only to find it had converted to an instance of the other. Worse, my writing was degraded as a result of my efforts.
This is because my frequent words are not, in and of themselves, bad or wrong. They are perfectly good words that do an important, if mostly invisible, job.
Sometimes “was” and “had” are simply the best choice for the sentence’s needs. Unless they start forming gangs.
I have taken to using the search function in my word processor (from Libre Office) and hitting “highlight all”. If I see one or two lone examples, they are probably well-behaved and can be left to get on with it. If, however, I see a whole gang of them congregating in an otherwise innocent paragraph, then I probably need to investigate. Gangs of the same word generally mean I need to cull their numbers there.
Clone separation
My characters tend to operate in groups. This is fine and good, and how I tell stories. However, I have found something that I need to focus on in my editing and revision process. When characters tend to always come as a team, come of them can swap lines without changing anything. This is a problem because it means the characters are essentially clones.
I was largely unaware of this shortcoming until the wonderful writers at our group pointed it out. It took a few instances of them gently showing me my shortcoming before I got the message. Since then, I have enjoyed the editing process because I have something I can do to refine my story.
What I have been leaning towards doing is identifying unique words, phrases, and other characteristic ticks for each character. This can include a difference of opinion if that helps but in most cases, what I need is for each clone-like character to find what makes them somewhat different. I have found that it does not take much but the results are amazing.
I gave one character unruly hair that he keeps touching. I gave another triplet of clones some religious differences. I added one unique word to a character, and he completely transformed. These little touches have been a bit of a game changer for me.
When you complete clone separation, each character feels unique, alive, and differentiated. More than that, the scene feels more real, the story flows better, and is more engaging.
Separate your clones.
Pacing changes
My stories tend to either meander slowly or rattle along at breakneck speed. This is by design as it suits the story being told. However, I have been teaching myself to slow down from time to time. To stop and smell the flowers, so to speak. This gives readers a chance to catch their breath. After all, I don’t want them too tired to keep reading.
I’m not going to suggest I have mastered this yet. However, the feedback of my fellow writers has, at least, let me notice the need to try and mix it up a little.
What are your editing tips?
I’m still very much learning how to edit my manuscript. I still have a lot to learn.
What are your tips for editing? Are there things you have learned to do? Is editing as easy as breathing for you? Are you like me and still finding your way?
I’d love to hear from you.