Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Insecure Writer's Support Group--Layers


Yep, it's that time again. I can't believe it's May. Whoa. Thanks to the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh for hosting this. Check out the other wonderful participants here.

Yes, I'm still revising. It is forever, but you know how life can be. It gets in the way and then your deadline get pushed and you can't concentrate. It happens. Anyway, that's where I've been. Revising. I need a few days of hours alone, but it's not happening.

Today, I want to talk about layers. Not clothing layers or onion layers, just layers. Although, the whole revising process can be similar. I finally realized when revising to do it in layers. I'm stubborn so it takes me a while to learn. Anyway, I'm talking about going through your manuscript one layer at a time. Let's face it, revising can be overwhelming. Where do you start? And how can you think of everything at once?

Right now, I'm adding scenes. I'm an underwriter so I have to add things. I'm also making sure the sub plots make sense. After this, I will go back through making sure voice is consistent, then I'll check the character arc, then make sure each chapter is moving the story forward, then line edit. See layers. Of course, it doesn't have to be in that order, but you do what's comfortable for you.

This of course feels like it takes forever, but in the end you will have a perfect outfit. Well, perfect is left up to interpretation, let's say, polished.

So, that's where I am and I feel like it'll be forever before I'm through, but I'm hoping it ends soon.

Do you revise in layers?

Have a great day!!