Tag: Manuscript editing

When You’re Stuck in the Middle of Your Story, Here’s How to Dig out

~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment
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Ever watch a golf tournament when a player hits the ball into a sand trap, or worse, in a deep ravine or thick weeds? The player then has to figure out how to dig the ball out with his club so it lands back onto the fairway.

I understand exactly how that player feels. I’ve been editing my tennis-themed sports romance (for the fourth or fifth time), and I keep getting stuck in the same middle chapters. Each time I edit them, I feel like I’m making the story worse. I wonder if they make any sense or even if they fit properly in the story any more. Part of it is my perfectionist nature, my need to get things “just right.” It’s my version of a writer’s sand trap, and now I’m trying to figure out how to dig myself out of it.

In fiction, publishing experts often talk about the muddling or sagging middle, that dark and dreary place that writers occasionally get lost in. My initial instinct is to rework and revise the scenes to find the “magic” of the story again—and it’s just not happening the way I see it in my head. So now I’m muddling through the middle chapters. And it always seems to be the same chapters, the same scenes that don’t seem to work the way I envision.

Perhaps you’ve had similar experiences with your own writing where you go over the same terrain over and over with nothing to show for your efforts. Even if you haven’t gone through this dark and lonely place in your writing, you might one day.

So I thought I would share with you some of the tactics I’ve tried to dig out of this rut. I’m hoping one of them will eventually work for me—and for you as well. Here are my tips for getting yourself “out of the weeds.”

  • Write the same scene from a different point of view. You could try writing it from another character’s perspective or switch from third person to first person. For example, in my romance novel, I alternate between the female and male characters. I’ve rewritten the scene from both perspectives to see which one works best. Writing from a different point of view can sometimes open you up to a new way of writing that scene that you hadn’t considered.

  • Skip over the scene and work on the next one. This is especially useful if you’ve already written the first draft. Since I was working on a completed draft, I had other chapters I could edit. This made it easier for me to skip the one I was struggling with and move ahead in the story. Working on those subsequent scenes might help you see where there are plotting or character arc issues.

  • Go to the end of the manuscript and work on the final chapters. Work backward from the last chapter until you get back to the middle scenes. This tactic worked for a few chapters until I got stuck and overwhelmed again, so I went back to editing the middle chapter. Again, by working on a later chapter, you might see something in the plot or character that needs to be fixed.

  • Work on something else entirely different. Sometimes switching gears and working on a different project can clear your mind of the problem. It can help you relax and get your creative mojo back. When you’re ready to tackle the weeds again, you can go back with a clearer mindset and more confidence. Sometimes taking a step back allows you to see the problem in a new light.

  • Abandon the project altogether. I have not reached this point yet, but the thought has crossed my mind that the story, as written, is simply not working and it might be better to stuff it back in a desk drawer and forget about it. But I don’t want to quit on this story. I’ve spent too much time on it, nearly three years, and I still believe in it. I also want to feel that sense of accomplishment when I get to The End. That said, abandoning a story after getting stuck in the middle is an option too, but not one I would recommend.

These are the tactics I’ve tried, with mixed results, but there are other alternatives you can try.

  • Interview your protagonists or have a discussion with them. This exercise entails putting on a journalist’s hat and interviewing your main characters. Ask them what is bothering them, where they’re headed in the story, etc. Get inside their head for a moment. Caroline Leavitt of the Center for Fiction blog says she uses this approach every time she gets stuck in her story. You might not be able to use all of what the characters tell you, but you might find a nugget or two that may be useful.  They might even provide some solutions you hadn’t considered.

  • Print out the sections that you’re stuck with and read them out loud. Make notes about what isn’t working. Or print them out in a different font, Leavitt suggests. Sometimes seeing the scene in a different font can open up new ideas you didn’t see before.

  • Focus on the supporting characters. According to NY Book Editors blog, sometimes we focus so much on our lead characters that we forget about the minor ones that might have a significant detail to contribute or an undeveloped backstory that can re-shape your plot.

  • Refer to your outline. Or if you never created an outline for your novel, take the time to do it before you progress much further in your editing. The outline can give you an idea of where your plot points should be hitting, and if you are hitting them in the right time and place.

Getting stuck in the middle of your story, whether writing the first draft or editing it for the fourth time, can be frustrating. But it’s a normal part of the creative process. There are ways to dig out of those ruts. You might have to experiment with a few of these review methods before you find one that works for you.

What to Do When a Client Asks for a Rewrite

~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment
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For this week’s post, I had planned to write about how to use rejection to fuel your next writing project. In an uncanny coincidence, when I checked my email, I found I had received feedback on an article I wrote for a client. Imagine my disappointment when I learned they wanted a rewrite including an interview with a new source.

Talk about rejection!

I felt more frustrated than angry. After all, this is part of the editorial review process. Fortunately, rewrites don’t happen very often for me.

That said, I realize that not everything I submit will be accepted on the first go-around. I felt frustrated this time because the client had provided new information that I did not have previously. If I had been provided this additional information up front, it would have saved me the time and trouble of a doing rewrite later. 

I should note that this story was assigned to me; it was not a story I pitched to the client. The assignment came with a writing sheet outlining the details and sources I needed to interview.

So how do I move past the initial disappointment and tackle a rewrite? Here are my tips for dealing with rewrite pressure:

  1. Take time to cool down. If you are upset by the feedback, take time to calm yourself. Go for a walk, meditate, take a nap—anything to help you relax. You don’t want to rework the story when you’re  upset because you may not put forth your best work. Nor do you want to respond to the editor in anger.  Simply thank them for the feedback and tell them you’ll get back to them if you have any questions. That buys you time for your emotions to settle down.

  2. Review the manuscript carefully. After you’ve settled down, take a long look at your manuscript to figure out what went wrong. What does the client want revised, and why? If they don’t offer an explanation, or the explanation is vague, ask the editor to clarify. Ask: what do readers need to know about this subject?

  3. Fix the problems. Do the best you can to fix the story and make it as strong as possible. If you need to interview another source, interview them. If you need to do more research, do more research. If you have to rewrite entire paragraphs, rewrite them so they are crystal clear. By sending back a better, stronger story, you show that you have the maturity to deal with adversity and not let negative feedback bother you.

  4. Learn from the experience. There’s always something to learn from every writing experience, no matter how positive or negative the experience might be. In my example above, the instructions for the writing assignment were vague. I decided to push my way through it the assignment rather than stop and ask for clarification. What this experience has taught me—and what you can learn from it too—is to ask pointed questions of my editor about the assignment so I understand exactly what her client wants. And I need to do this before I begin doing research or setting up interviews. Getting the most important details up front will prevent rewrites later on. 

  5. Don’t take the feedback personally. Rejection happens all the time. Requests for rewrites happen too. That’s part of working as a freelancer.  Remember that the editor or client has the readers’ interests in mind, and they want to produce a high-quality magazine that their readers will enjoy. It’s your job to help them achieve that. You may not like getting negative feedback from them, and you may not like having to rework an assignment, but without it, you won’t have a chance to prove yourself to the client.  

    Most important, keep a positive attitude. Feeling depressed or angry or frustrated won’t help your cause, and it won’t impress the client/editor. Don’t hold a grudge either. As soon as you submit the revised article, let go of any negative feelings you have and move on. I know that’s not always easy to do, but it’s necessary for the sake of your sanity and your freelancing career.

Tips for Finding an Editor for Your Manuscript

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Whether you’re just starting to write a novel or you’re on your fifth revision, at some point you’ll wonder if you need another pair of eyes to review your work. Perhaps you are stuck with a dead-end plot or you’ve been rejected by numerous editors or agents who weren’t impressed with your manuscript.

Maybe you’re on your tenth attempt at rewriting your current work-in-progress, and the story still isn’t quite coming together the way you imagined. Then it may be time call in an editorial expert to review your work. Having someone else review it and give you feedback might give you insights about where the story has gone astray.

According to writer and editor Susan De Freitas during an online workshop “Maybe It’s Not Your Plot,” there are eight telltale signs that it may be time to consult with a professional editor.

  1. Your novel is overwritten. You’ve written way more words that are required for your genre. For example, you’ve written 140,000 words for a story that should only be 80,000. As much as you love your own story, it’s filled with too many unnecessary scenes that don’t push the plot forward.
  2. Too many drafts or versions of the same story. Most novels typically go through an average of five to seven drafts, but you’re working on the tenth and the story still does not seem finished.
  3. You got lost in the world building. You’ve immersed yourself in a whole new world you created for your characters that you forgot about the plot and the characters.
  4. There’s no clear ending to the story. Every time you think of an appropriate ending, you draw a blank.
  5. The first draft is complete, but you’re not sure how to begin revising it.
  6. You didn’t plot out your story in advance so you “pantsed” your way through the first draft.  Now you have to figure out how to structure what you’ve written into a cohesive plot, but you don’t know how or where to start.
  7. You received a lukewarm response from your beta readers or critique partners, but you’re still not sure what’s wrong with the story.
  8. You’ve submitted it to agents and editors who have expressed little interest in publishing your story.

Once you realize that you need an editor, you’re not sure where to find a good editor. It helps to understand the four different types of editing that you might need.

  • Developmental editing (sometimes called story editing) which looks at the overall structure of your story.
  • Line editing looks at how the story is presented, such as language, pacing and how chapters end or begin.
  • Copy editing looks at spelling and grammar as well as the story’s timeline.
  • Critique/assessment reviews the manuscript and provides feedback about the story arc. It’s not as intensive as a full developmental edit, which can cost more money.

To find an editor for your work-in-progress, begin by asking for referrals. If you belong to a writer’s group or take writing classes, ask fellow writers, classmates and teachers for referrals. You can also search member organizations like the Editorial Freelancers Association to find someone who specializes in your genre. You can try searching the acknowledgment page in your favorite novels where authors usually thank their editorial team, then do a search for that editor’s background and previous work. Most editors have their own website and will describe at length the services they offer and pricing. If none of these ideas work, there’s always Google.

Before hiring an editor

There are several factors to consider when hiring an editor, said romance editor Jessica Snyder during her online workshop “How to Find Your Perfect Editor.” First, consider how much experience they have in your genre. If you’re writing a science fiction novel, your best bet is to hire someone who has edited other sci-fi novels. Someone who typically edits literary novels probably won’t be the best fit.

Ask for a sample edit. Provide the editor with a chapter and see how they review your work. What kind of suggestions do they offer? Are they positive and provide encouragement? Or are they too negative? Consider their communication style to see if it meshes well with your own.

Also ask about the editor’s process. How do they communicate criticism? What kind of timeline do they work with? Most editors require several weeks to review your novel or they may be backlogged with other projects and may not get to your manuscript right away. Pack your patience.

Cost is also a big consideration for many writers, especially those who want to self-publish. Know your budget ahead of time. Does the editor offer payment plans? How do they handle things like refunds and disputes?

If you’re on a tight budget, Snyder said it might be best to opt for a simple story assessment and copy editing pass by two different editors to keep costs down.

After reviewing the editor’s comments

Take a deep breath before reading through your edited manuscript. Feedback can often bring about strong emotional responses. You don’t want to respond to the editor with snarky comments or knee-jerk reactions. Remember, this is only one person’s assessment of your work.

Editors are guides in your writing process. Their suggestions are meant to help you create a better, stronger story structure and improve your ability to meet readers’ expectations in your chosen genre.

Also remember that editors aren’t perfect. Their edits are only suggestions. You don’t have to accept all of them if you feel strongly about something. But do keep an open mind or be willing to change your mind. Most suggestions editors make do make sense in the overall scheme of the story. If an editing comment is unclear, ask for clarification.

Most of all, remember that not all feedback is correct or appropriate. You know your story best, so use your best judgment about what edits will work with your story. I’ve had instructors and fellow writers offer feedback to my work which didn’t fit the story that I imagined. In those situations, I didn’t follow their suggestions because I didn’t feel they understood my story. But I always politely thanked them for their comments. Always respond to critiques from editors with compassion and kindness. The next time you find yourself stuck with an overwritten novel or one that garnered a lukewarm response from readers, a professional editor can steer you on the right track toward publication.

Why Writers Need an Editor

~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment
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Many writers say getting a novel’s first draft down on the page is the easy part. It’s the rewriting and editing afterward that presents the biggest challenge, especially for beginning writers. Even after rewriting and editing it several, you may feel there’s something lacking in your manuscript. Most editors agree it’s at this point that writers may need to hire a professional editor.

Recently I attended a webinar called “Maybe It’s Not Your Plot” presented by author and book coach Susan DeFreitas. She says the problem with most manuscripts isn’t about what happens (the plot) but about WHY it happens, which is tied to character arc. She explains the role of character arc best on her blog.

DeFreitas outlines the six steps of a character arc, which I have shared below:

  • The protagonist has an internal issue to overcome, a mistaken belief about their world that will be challenged as the story unfolds.
  • Connected to this internal issue is the protagonist’s backstory, which explains how the misbelief originated.
  • There are conflicts and challenges that push the protagonist to view their misbelief in a different light.
  • The protagonist resists making necessary behavioral changes that fit the new belief. They want to go back to the way things were when the story began.
  • Change occurs incrementally to show how the protagonist fights against themselves.
  • The moment of truth occurs around the climax. The protagonist must face a hard truth, discover what’s been missing or didn’t understand.

Character arc is what drives the story and provides the emotional quotient that readers want to experience. But it’s also where most writers struggle with their story. This is when they tend to reach out to professional editors for advice on how to move forward.

According to DeFreitas, writers might need to hire an editor because:

  • The story is overwritten. There are too many words. A well-crafted novel should contain roughly 80,000 to 100,000 words. Romance novels require less than that while some science fiction or fantasy novels can run more than 100,000. Generally speaking, if your novel is too long, you’ll need to cut word count and scenes. Since you might be reluctant to do the cutting yourself, an editor can help you sort through the extra copy to determine what to keep and what to discard.

  • You have a million drafts. Perhaps after working a story multiple times, it still has not jelled the way you imagined. Or you have so many drafts that the story no longer resembles the one you started out writing.

  • You’ve gotten lost in world building. This is especially true for speculative fiction and sci-fi novels where alternate world is key to the story. You can get so caught up in the details of this other world that you lose sight of the plot and character development.

  • You have no clear idea how to end the story. You may have started off strong with your writing but by the middle of the story, you have no idea how to get to the end. I’ve found it helpful to write the ending before I begin writing the beginning so I know how the story will proceed. An editor can provide tips on how to visualize the ending of your story.

  • You can’t figure out how to revise your manuscript. This is especially true for pantsers who write their story organically with no initial planning. Once the scenes from inside your head are written, you may realize that the story heads off in different directions. You feel stuck on how to fix things. An editor can help you scale back your ideas and formulate a revision plan moving forward.

  • You received lukewarm response from beta readers. The good news is you’ve completed your manuscript. The not-so-good news is that your beta readers gave it a lukewarm reception. They politely offered feedback, which you gladly accepted. But you want more than that from them. You want them to feel enthusiastic for your work. A lukewarm response is a warning sign that something is off about your manuscript.

  • You’re not getting responses from publishers or agents. If you’ve reached this step, congratulations. You’re much further along than most aspiring novelists. Only problem is editors and agents aren’t responding to your novel at all. That should tell you that they either have not gotten around to reading it yet, or that it wasn’t worth their time to respond to you. You want to create excitement for your manuscript, and when a book editor or agent is excited about your novel, they’re more likely to get behind it.

 Editing your own manuscript is never easy. But working with a professional book editor can give you a better understanding of the revision process.

Rewriting a Novel Isn’t Easy. Here’s Why.

~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment
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I began writing a novel in earnest last February and finished it by Memorial Day (end of May in the U.S.). It was satisfying to finally type the words “the end.”

But writing the first draft was the easy part. It’s the rewriting that was harder than I expected.

I let the manuscript cool off for several weeks before I decided to tackle the revision. That first week, I stared at the manuscript, wondering what I had gotten myself into. I had no idea how to go about editing and rewriting a project that size. I quickly got bogged down by the process, but I never got discouraged. I was determined to finish this manuscript, if only to prove that I could finish it.  

I reworked some chapters that seemed salvageable and chopped away at a few others. I set it aside again. Now I am making my way through a second revision. But as I gradually proceed, I feel I’m taking one step forward and two steps back again.

That brings me to the main point of my post today. Writing the first draft was easy. Rewriting it was where the hard work began.

Since starting the rewriting process – twice now – I’ve learned quite a bit about myself as a writer. I’m happy to share those lessons with you.

Lesson 1: Rewriting a novel is much harder than writing the first draft.

When writing the first draft, I can let my imagination fly. I may sketch out the first few chapters ahead of time, but I allow the ideas for characters, scenes and dialogue to take over. So what if I write 120,000 words for an 85,000-word story? That’s where the editing and rewriting can make a difference.

But rewriting is hard work. You can become emotionally connected to your work, and to cut so much of it can be excruciating. But it’s also necessary. As I reread the material, some scenes didn’t make sense, others were out of sequence. You may find that some characters lack depth and others aren’t needed at all. It takes time to rethink the plot and make sure it follows proper novel structure. It can take up to five rewrites – sometimes more – before the novel is truly complete.

Lesson 2: Instead of “killing your darlings,” save them for another story.

One of the toughest things to do when editing your own work is cutting material that you’ve created. It’s a painful experience. You can be so proud of the work you’ve done, only to be forced to “kill your darlings,” because they know no longer fit the story. It takes great courage to recognize that a scene or character isn’t working.

But here’s a thought. Rather than “kill off” those offending pieces of prose, send them away for adoption. Keep a file of unused material that you’ve killed off. Those sections may not work for your current novel-in-progress, but perhaps they can be adapted to fit another manuscript later.

Lesson 3: Have a clear vision of the novel’s ending.

When I began my current work, I wasn’t sure how the story would end with my protagonists besides a happily ever after. The conclusion should tie up all the loose ends. I found once I drafted my story’s ending, it was easier to handle the rewriting because I knew where the story was headed. For some writers, it might be helpful to draft the final chapters first before starting the novel’s beginning. You can also revise the ending if needed, but at least you have a direction for your story.

Lesson 4: Find the best place to jump into the story.

While it helps to have a clear vision of the novel’s ending before you begin writing (and rewriting), you might experience the beginning differently. It may come across as vague, unfocused and meandering. Perhaps there’s no conflict facing the protagonist. Or the main character has no personality.

I usually have to write and rewrite multiple versions of the first few chapters to find the right scene to jump into the story. Sometimes you start the story in the wrong place. But it’s important to determine that inciting incident that moves the story forward, or you won’t be able to engage readers’ interest.

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Lesson 5: When the going gets tough, take a break.

There will be times during the revision process when you might feel stuck, unsure what to do with the rewrite. Should that character get cut? How do I go about changing this scene? When stuck like that, I’d often step away for a few days to tackle household chores or do some other writing. When I came back to it, I could usually figure out what to do next. Rewriting can be overwhelming, and sometimes you need to give yourself a break to see the way forward.

Lesson 6: Keep your material organized.

When I began writing my novel, I didn’t realize how much organization was required. Keep copious notes, and don’t lose them. When I started writing, I had notes in different places. I’m still trying to figure out a system that works for me.

Organization is necessary to keep track of multiple versions of a scene or chapter. It’s also helpful when figuring out the proper sequence of events within the story. To make sure each scene is set up in proper sequence, I list each chapter along with a brief summary. Then I review the chapters to make sure they made sense in the order I had them. I can usually tell at a glance if I need to add another scene or rearrange the ones I’ve already written.  

Lesson 7: Be patient with your progress.

I’m not the most patient person in the world. Writing (or more accurately, rewriting) is hard work and it usually takes longer than you think it will. Rewriting is a painstakingly slow process. It comes in fits and starts, and you may never be satisfied with your progress or with the words on the page. Be patient with yourself during the rewrite. A little bit of work every day can help you move closer to your finished manuscript.  

What about you? Are you rewriting a novel? What lessons have you learned from the rewriting process?

Want to Improve Your Writing? Read It Aloud

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“I believe the eye and ear are different listeners. So as writers, we need to please both.”
Jane Yolen, author of sci-fi/fantasy novels

Reviewing and proofing your writing is a normal part of your routine. But if you want to take your writing to a whole new level, try reading it out loud.

Experts say reading your manuscript out loud can help you notice mistakes in your writing that you wouldn’t normally catch by simply reading it silently and seeing the words in your head. Reading out loud can also streamline your editing process because you’ll notice the mistakes faster. That said, it doesn’t guarantee that it will catch every mistake, but it will alert you to a lot of them.

“Read a passage aloud and you’ll get an immediate sense of how it ‘should’ feel; the way the words fit together and work as a whole,” writes Robert Wood, editor at Standout Books. “The same way you can hear a missed beat or a wrong chord in music, you understand when your phrasing is awkward or unwieldy.”

If you haven’t made out-loud reading part of your review process yet, here are a few tips for making it work and what you should listen for.

1. Notice the passages where you stumble over the language. If you struggle to read sentences that are complex or contain several difficult-to-pronounce words, your readers will struggle too. Make a note in the manuscript to simplify the language for your readers.

2. Notice if sentences are overly long and wordy. They can be more noticeable when you read them out loud. Also notice if sentences are poorly constructed and confusing. Will readers understand what you are attempting to say? Is there a better way to express what you want to say? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you’ll need to rewrite those sections for clarity and conciseness.

3. Notice the pacing and rhythm of the language. Do you need to slow down the pacing, or pick it up? Do you get bogged down in too many unnecessary details that slow down the pace of the story? Reading out loud will make you more aware of the natural rhythm of the words.

4. Notice if there are misspelled words, grammatical errors and punctuation mistakes. For example, are there too many commas in your sentences? Or are they added in the wrong places, which can change the meaning of the sentence?

5. Pay attention to the tone of your manuscript. Is the tone appropriate for your piece? Is it appropriate for your audience? For example, is the tone too formal for a room full of parents at a PTA meeting, or is it too casual for the company’s board of directors?

6. Pay attention to the sequence of ideas or story scenes. When you or someone else reads your work out loud, listen to the order of ideas. Do they move seamlessly from one to the next? Ditto for short stories and novels. Note if scenes develop in a logical sequence. Also listen for transitions between ideas and paragraphs. Reading out loud can reveal gaps in story lines and thought processes.

7. Notice any repetitions. Did you explain one idea on page three, then again on page five? That’s a sign that you need to condense your content, and rewrite for better clarity.

8. Listen for filler material. Publishing expert Jane Friedman says many writers tend to add filler copy in their manuscripts. These sections and sentences don’t add any meaningful information to the reader. If you notice filler copy, get out the scissors and begin cutting. Make sure every sentence you write, or every section or scene, provides meaning and value to the overall piece.

If you have trouble recognizing these elements as you read your work out loud, it might be helpful to have someone else read it out loud to you. According to the University of North Carolina Writing Center, when someone else reads your manuscript out loud, you receive information in a different way. Most people have more experience listening to and speaking English than they do reading and editing it, the center explains. If your reading partner stumbles over the words or gets lost, those may be places where you need to revise to make your meaning clearer for your readers.

The UNC Writing Center offers the following strategies for reading and reviewing your written work out loud.

* Print out a copy to read. When you read from a printed page, you’ll be able to make notes on the page and mark the places that need revision.

* Read only what you see on the page. If necessary, use a finger to point to each word you see as you say it out loud. The brain has a tendency to “smooth over” mistakes on the page by filling in missing words or making corrections.

* Read out loud at a moderate pace. If you read too fast, you may gloss over words and phrases that need fixing. Slowing down your pace will help you notice errors more easily.

* Read one section or paragraph at a time. Covering up most of the manuscript as you read out loud will help you stay focused on only the material in front of you so you don’t race ahead.

No matter what type of writing you do – nonfiction, memoir, or fiction – learning to read your work out loud can help you catch errors you might otherwise miss. That can make you a better writer in the long run.