revision Archives

Developing a Bad Idea into a Better One

April 13, 2018March 25, 2018Uncategorized, Writing Tips

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I work on story subplots two different ways. Sometimes I write them in as I go, including them in the text. Sometimes I write them out separately on a different document and weave them in after I’ve finished the mystery.

This time I’d written in the subplot as I went. But, after finishing the book and reading back through it, I was unhappy with the subplot. It seemed too much of a contrivance to me. Plus, it meant that I was adding in another recurring character when my series already had quite a few.

But there were parts of the subplot that I liked. I was pleased with the way it developed a character in the story. I decided to rework it instead of scrapping it completely.

Here are my tips for reconstructing a story element. There are other approaches, but this was the way I was able to do it without making my head spin too much:

First off, remove (cut) the offending storyline completely. I searched for the character’s name, but you could also reread the draft and cut as you went.

Next, save the cuttings. Paste them into a separate, saved document.

Then reimagine the storyline. Can the character/subplot serve the story in another capacity?

Additional considerations: can you connect this story element in a meaningful way to the main plot? Can it be used to develop a recurring character? Bonus points, if you can. I found a way for the character to impact two separate subplots.

Open a fresh document and save it. Mine was “Subplot Text.” Write out the reimagined storyline, using any bits and pieces from the cut storyline as possible to save time (for instance, I could use the character’s description and some of her dialogue).

Reread your draft. Weave in the storyline as you go, pacing it throughout the story for better impact.

Is it a pain? It is. I haven’t done this in a while (I usually don’t have any major revisions because I’ve gotten very used to my pattern for writing), and it took some time. But I’m pleased with the finished project and I know that I haven’t created a problem for myself with future books.

If you’re not sure exactly what doesn’t work in your story or need more help staying organized with your revisions, I’m linking to some articles that might help.

The Art of Revising: Macro Revision by R.L. LaFevers

Want to Make Revisions Easier? Create an Editorial Map by Janice Hardy

How to Stay Organized During a Revision by Janice Hardy

Decisions: What and How to Revise by Darcy Pattison

Do you ever rework bad ideas into better ones? How do you go about replacing storylines that don’t work?

Tips for revising story elements that don't exactly work: Click To Tweet

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Randomizing Revision

February 23, 2015February 21, 2015Writing Tips

by Leslie Budewitz, @LeslieBudewitz

I take a methodical approach to revision. As I work on the draft, I start a list of “Revision Notes”—facts to check, inconsistencies to iron out, name changes to clean up. When the draft is complete I print it out and punch it into a fat, three-ring binder. I make an outline, adding to the Revision Notes as I go, with some comments organized by chapter and some by topic. (“Jen or Jenn?;” “Deepen Pepper’s doubts about investigating;” “Kristen lecture Pepper about getting involved with Tag twice? Earlier is better.”)

Then I start the read-throughs, which I sometimes call drafts even though I’m working from the same physical copy. Each read-through involves a different layer of the ms. In the plot draft, I fix the holes I’ve identified in the outline and others that jump out at me as I work. In the character draft, I make sure the protagonist drives the action (I write in first person) and that every secondary character pops. In the scene draft, I sharpen the goals, motivation, and conflicts, and make each transition clear, so the reader never wonders about time or place. I look to make sure I’ve kept it cozy, that I’ve never lost track of the dog, and that I’ve given my protagonist all the trouble she can handle—and then some.Continue reading

My Process for Approaching Large Revisions

January 27, 2014January 24, 2014Writing Tips

By Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I received an email last week from a writer who is feeling a little overwhelmed by the revision process and asked if I’d written any posts that helped to sort of sort through revision in an organized way.

And my first reaction was, besides completely understanding why anyone would feel overwhelmed, was: “Oh sure, I’ve got gobs of blog posts like that.” But…no. Although I talk a lot about my need for revision and stuff I’ve had to fix in the past, and the fact that I don’t edit while I draft–I had no posts at all about how I organize and approach revision. So I’ll correct that now. And, looking at my process below, I’m thinking that one reason I might not have outlined this before is because it so closely resembles my process for writing a book that maybe I thought I’d repeat myself.Continue reading

Brutal Draft Revisions

December 11, 2013December 11, 2013Uncategorized

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

In many ways, my children have been a blessing to me. There are all the big reasons they are…and a smaller one: they’re nothing at all like me. They’re extroverted and involved and fascinated by Big Activities that I avoid.

I wrote poems and stories in my room when I was in middle and high school. They ride horses and scuba dive and rock climb and enjoy parties…and one is now a cheerleader. This means that I’m exposed to all kinds of situations and people that I would ordinarily never experience.Continue reading