Tuesday Tip - 3 Ways I Read for Editing
Reading your own book is something novelists must do over and over. After the first draft is written, here are the three ways I read to edit. I find a method whilst I am re-reading helps me to focus.
1. Character Viewpoint. Go through the text from each of the character's points of view. This might mean three or four different reads. In a long novel you can read each part that features that character; this will reveal inconsistencies or conundrums that you will need to look at, and make you work out what the character is doing between scenes in a bit more depth.
2.Theme. This focuses on the main theme. Read it again looking for ways to highlight or emphasise the theme. I also look to see if the theme is expanding naturally through the book.
3. "Person who knows nothing about it" read. This is the most important because you have to imagine you are a reader who knows nothing at all about the book or the subject. It helps me if I imagine another person reading it. Yes, you've got it - create another character in your head as dissimilar to yourself as possible and then imagine her/him reading the book.
Suggestions anybody?
1. Character Viewpoint. Go through the text from each of the character's points of view. This might mean three or four different reads. In a long novel you can read each part that features that character; this will reveal inconsistencies or conundrums that you will need to look at, and make you work out what the character is doing between scenes in a bit more depth.
2.Theme. This focuses on the main theme. Read it again looking for ways to highlight or emphasise the theme. I also look to see if the theme is expanding naturally through the book.
3. "Person who knows nothing about it" read. This is the most important because you have to imagine you are a reader who knows nothing at all about the book or the subject. It helps me if I imagine another person reading it. Yes, you've got it - create another character in your head as dissimilar to yourself as possible and then imagine her/him reading the book.
Suggestions anybody?
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Cynthia
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Mar 08, 2011 03:03PM
Hi Deborah, I didn't know you were on here. I must have added you on as a friend awhile back. I went on yesterday and did a short review of your novel. I can't wait to read these blog posts of yours, but as usual, I'm crazy busy and preparing for my book launch celebration on the 19th. Cynthia
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Hi Cynthia, thanks for your review. I'm glad you enjoyed the book. I can't wait to read yours. I'll post up about it a bit nearer its publication date. Meanwhile, try to keep sane as the big day approaches - it can be a bit of a rollercoaster!
Deborah, all very important to look at each of these one at a time. I do it haphazardly, but this is a good idea. Reading the novel over and over,again and again, being unafraid to cut out redundancies. Sometimes with historical fiction, the facts we have gathered are so precious to us that we are determined to put them all in the novel even if they don't support the story. Another help is a word check to find out if you are using the same word repeatedly, and especially on the same page. However, don't be too eager to use the thesaurus and find a synonym. It can be contrived and awkward. Sometimes that same word used is the appropriate one. I looked up words in the novel, Pride and Prejudice. I think 'pleasureable' was used a good deal too much? Who is to say? If it works, use it. We are limited, to some degree, with the English language.
Hi Cynthia, very astute comments. I think Jane Austen would have loved all our online aids to help eliminate bad spelling, repetition, and worst of all - having to re-write edits in long-hand!
