Change in Mindset

I have recently discovered a change in my own behaviour during the editing process.

The editing process does takes far more concentration and work than the initial draft. My first drafts are free and easy, they flow and it doesn’t matter about grammar, spelling, punctuation or even plot. I am just trying to get the story down.

I am currently editing my fantasy novel. This is the first real run through with a red pen. Previously my editing has been more fiddling, and then starting again.
The process hasn’t been as driven. This time I’m trying hard to make it right.

For example, when editing work before, I have thought, “That doesn’t quite work, but I’ll pick it up on the next edit.”

Not this time.

I am reworking, or rewriting until it does work. It is taking longer than I planned but I’m sure I’m getting a better story out of it. I will need to read it through again, and there may be some changes still required. So this isn’t a final draft. But it is much closer to that final draft than I would have produced with a second draft before.

Some of the areas I’m focusing on include:

·         Characters are consistent and real;

·         Need for additional characters in a scene;

·         Magic consistency;

·         Timing;

·         Readability; grammar and punctuation;

·         Spelling – particularly character names;

·         Movement of plot – that each scene is moving the story along; and

·         Appropriate description.

I have cleared my desk and I’m working well in the study. My notes are on hand and the whiteboard (with character links and world info) is visible. I didn’t get as much cleared out of the study as I had hoped. But it is a better working space and I know where everything is.

I am continuing to keep a writing log for this project, which details my aims for each writing session, what I achieved and how well I thought it went. This can only help improve my processes and my writing.

Despite the year slipping by at an alarming rate, I still aim to have this novel finished by the end of the year.

I hope your projects are working just was well.

Happy Scribbling.