Today I’d like to welcome Bob Sanchez to the blog. Bob, a retired technical writer, has published two novels, When Pigs Fly and Getting Lucky. His blog is http://bobsanchez1.blogspot.com and is the webmaster and frequent reviewer for the Internet Review of Books at http://internetreviewofbooks.com.
Elizabeth asked me for a post on revising—not necessarily how to do it, but how I do it. Writing and revising aren’t separate processes, but are closely bound together. Revising is writing. Before my fingers first hit the keyboard, a debate begins in my head about where to start. That doesn’t last long, because finding the right beginning and ending aren’t essential yet. It’s really okay to begin anywhere.
Yet this next paragraph comes slowly. For one thing, I am already second-guessing my opening sentences and wondering how to write this piece without overusing the first person singular pronoun. But after a few fixes it’s time to read it over, maybe even aloud, forcing me to notice every word. If the passage sounds okay for now, it’s time to move on.
Usually this messy approach continues throughout a rough draft—writing, proofing, reading, then writing some more. Commas become em dashes, typos disappear, words get shuffled or replaced. I’ll delete most adverbs and passive constructions.
Eventually, I have a series of paragraphs representing the bulk of the message. Now come a series of important questions:
- Does the draft make the point I want to make? If not, I still have a lot of work to do.
- Does it flow well? Maybe rearranging or adding paragraphs will make the sequence more logical.
- Does everything fit? This may be the time to delete entire paragraphs.
- Does the tone sound consistent and appropriate? The first draft of this essay had a joke that didn’t feel right, so it’s gone.
- Does the piece have a strong lead and conclusion? If not, now is the time to write them.
Once a draft is complete, I try to set my work aside for awhile and come back to it later. Here’s an example of what can happen when you don’t. I’m an admin on a writing list and felt the need to send out an admonition. This is what I sent:
Okay gang, please remember that this list is all about the craft of writing. Please let’s stick to that. The plight of your favorite bookstore, however interesting, is off topic.
And please note that the old “I know this is off topic, but…” ploy doesn’t justify a post. If you know you shouldn’t post, please don’t.
Five sentences with four pleases? Oh, please. Here is a better version:
Okay gang, remember that this list is all about the craft of writing. The plight of your favorite bookstore, however interesting, is off topic.
Note also that the old “I know this is off topic, but…” ploy doesn’t justify a post. If you know you shouldn’t post, then don’t.
There, that’s better. My early drafts may still contain infelicitous phrases, repeated words and ideas, clichés, misspellings, passive constructions, and unclear pronoun references. Not to mention incomplete sentences. I once asked a good friend, who is an excellent writer, how he makes his work so smooth. He replied, “I just go over it and over it”—and that, I think, is the key.
I revise as I write, and there is ALWAYS more revising to do later. I love this post!
You know, I just love the way you write, as much as I learned from this article, I enjoyed reading it because the words just flowed. Which I guess is what I’d hope to achieve as the end result of my revisions!
Elizabeth – Thanks for opening up your blog to Bob. Bob, I really like the questions you ask yourself about your writing. That’s an effective way to frame one’s thinking about what one’s written. As you say, it’s a process, and it takes time. In the end, though, it’s worth it.
Thanks so much for coming by, Bob! And for sharing your great tips on revision with us.
Great, wonderful post. I’m editing now. Just going over it and over it. Thanks.
Repetition bugs me too, so it’s what I look for first when editing.
Elizabeth, thanks for inviting me. It was fun!
As to Diane’s comment: Back in the day, my friends and I would talk about how many drafts they’ve written. Now it seems like there often aren’t several well-defined drafts, but a continuous series of revisions.
Great post. I agree. When I work with new writers I often encourage them to not revise until they finish the book because some get in the habit of revising and not continuing but if you’ve written books to completion and you’re scheduled and determined enough to complete your manuscript, you can edit along the way.
I truly agree with these words: “Once a draft is complete, I try to set my work aside for awhile and come back to it later.” It’s like getting fresh eyes on a manuscript. All in all, great blog.
ann
Wayne, I’ve written outlines but never seem to stick to them. My writers’ group used to tease me because they’d ask me if I knew what was going to happen next in my stories, and I’d say I didn’t know.
But yes, I will make checklists from time to time. For example, if I rename a character, I’ll make a point to search for the old name and replace it with the new one. But you have to be careful not to do a global s&r, which will get you into trouble. Whether it’s a name or any other change, look at each one individually.
Time lines are also important. It can be embarrassing when a character dies in chapter 2 and robs a bank in chapter 12.
I’m constantly revising my work. I usually make a minimum of 100 complete passes!
I agree with you, Bob. Even after I’ve written, edited and edited more, I can come back a month later and repeat the process.
Helen
Straight From Hel
You make it sound painless- thank you! I agree with Suzanne your writing does flow nicely.
Great post Bob!
Painless, Tamika? As if. :-)
AWESOME advice! Thanks so much!
Thanks for this, Bob. I think you’re right; very rarely do I write a sentence that couldn’t use revision. Preceding is perfect example.
I remember the admonition to the group, Bob, and liking the way you had set it out. During my own revision, I read-aloud to a friend. Hearing the words helps me with the flow and identifying the grammatical errors.
I agree with you, Bob. Getting distance from a piece and going over it again and again are keys to revision. But I have another kind of question I’m thinking of the intricacies of your plot in When Pigs Fly. Did you have an outline with names and plot details as you revised in order to keep it consistent, especdially after putting it aside for a while. I have trouble recalling names and details in just a short story.
Thank you so much! Glad to know my OCD isn’t a bad thing!
Enjoyed reading your approach, Bob. Makes a lot of sense. I do a lot of the same things, too.
Marvin D Wilson
I find putting the manuscript aside for as long as I can stand it helps me the most in the revision process. Like you mentioned, overused words and such seem to jump off the page when I pull it back out for revising.
Thanks for sharing, BOb. I think the part about letting in rest and coming back later is key…at least for me.
Best Wishes Galen Kindley
Imagineering Fiction Blog
Fun to see that IWW post for NOVELS-L here as well. Congrats, Bob. I also enjoyed seeing your face behind the words. Three years ago I began my first real revision, filled with dread and doubt. Now, I agree so much with your comments. Just start! And revise, revise, revise!
“Just go over and over it” to make it smooth…sounds like ironing.
Thanks!
Thanks Bob, those are great tips. When I revise, I tend to read out loud. If it doesn’t sound right, I know it needs rewriting. And I like your photo. You look very relax.
Steamy Darcy
Bob– great job!
what a clear, concise post. So very helpful.
Thanks!
Nice to read about your approach, Bob, which is similar to my own. Just start somewhere and then revise, write, revise, reread, revise…sleep…wake… read again and say, yikes! And on it goes, until you’re as done as possible for the moment.
I enjoyed reading about your writing process. I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who writes and revises at the same time.
Good one, Bob! Like Hemingway said, “There are no great writers, only great re-writers.”
Heidi