editing 101

after finishing the first draft i felt accomplished. after the second draft, i felt malleable, like i could take direction. and now while i'm writing the third draft, i feel... empowered somehow. i thought when i was told my story needed

more, it needed fuller characters, more drama, more explanation, etc. that it would make me feel defeated and make me think i wasn't as good as i had hoped. but, now, more than ever, i am sure that this is where i belong.

i am halfway through the rewriting process, and i love it. absolutely love it. it is even better than the first or second drafts (well, hopefully haha).

so here is my editing advice: be open-minded to the feedback you are given. if people take the time to read your work, they deserve your attention when they give comments.

also, write all their questions, suggestions, etc. down on a piece of paper. don't try to remember it. by the time you are off the phone call or the person has left your office, you will be really mad at yourself. it's better to write it down. (you're a writer right? this shouldn't be so hard.) :)

and then actually try to change it (for the better). keep all your drafts saved as different versions so that you don't lose any. but try to change your story.  and don't be afraid to print it out and actually cross out sections. one pink line through the paragraph will not keep you from putting it back in there if you change your mind.

* oh by the way, i don't use red pens...they make me think i did something wrong...pink is way less intimidating.

editing is way more fun for a novel than it was for me during school. i knew i was a writer, just not a formal one...and i'll admit, i was pretty nervous to start the editing process because i thought i was going to be stuck...get choked by all the words on the page and the lack of new and improved thoughts in my head. but it's a novel of fiction. i can make it up. it's amazing how that works!:)

so, because i am for-real in the middle of this novel, i should probably get back to it.

have a great day!

ashlyne huff revelette