Unfortunately, the advice from critique
partners and my editors are conflicting. Some want more description. Some want
less. If you read my previous post you know how I feel about description.
However, like most writers, it’s easy to
see what needs to be fixed in someone else’s work. What needs to be added and
where they need to cut back. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy to “fix” your own
work. Especially when so many conflicting opinions join the chorus of doubts in
your head.
I love my story. It’s simple, but
powerful. However, I know it’s not quite ready. So, I’ve taken a break from it
this week. This weekend I’ll return to it looking for DEEP POV issues
(see here for more on this) as well as any description fixes.
How
are your projects going? What works for you during the editing process?
I read all the crit suggestions, and decide if the point is valid or not. If there's conflicting opinions, then I go with my own 'gut' instinct.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!
Good luck with the edits. I don't have any experience with CPs yet. But I do hope you figure everything out.
ReplyDeleteSania at Embracing Dawn
Getting advice from outside sources can be both good and bad. I hope you can sort it all out.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of projects that are just plodding along...mainly because I'm not devoting the the time I need to them.
ReplyDeleteI need to get on the ball and get them done.
Then....edits! :)
Good luck with yours
Left and Write
I like editing! I'm in the plotting stages of two stories right now. Good luck with your story.
ReplyDeleteHey Sylvia. I too have read a lot about this DEEP POV and have been working on it. My post for E may be some of my best efforts yet in this exercise. In the end, you have to be the judge of your work, because unfortunately none of us has enough experience to give you definitive advice. Good post.
ReplyDeleteI edit other people's works for a living, so all is well. Not sure how it would go allowing someone to edit MY stuff. hehe Congratulations on creating so much work to BE edited!! That's such a great accomplishment. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteDana
Waiter, drink please!
I usually get very confused by multiple critiques. Everyone always has an opinion--right or wrong.
ReplyDeleteGive me one good critique partner--only one--or a great editor.
CPs always want more description. And yeah, that's the stuff I tend to skip when I read. However, deep editing done correctly can almost guarantee we read every word.
It's frustrating when you get conflicting advice from editors. I tend to listen to everything that everyone says, but only go with what feels write. If I don't agree with what they say, I won't make the changes. I have to remember that, at the end of the day, it's my work and that's how I want it to stay :)
ReplyDeletehttp://rebeccahgiltrow.blogspot.co.uk/
I am in the editing page of the story I wrote. It's crazy but I find editing to be so mundane and boring. I actually hate editing! I wish I could write a perfect story from start to finish and never have to edit. But alas that is not how writing works . . . and my grammar is not that wonderful either! Good luck editing your short story! I look forward in reading it sometime!
ReplyDeleteI am bad with conflicting critiques. They can literally freeze me. I'm trying to find a way to break through that now, but I definitely understand the frustration. I hope it's more clear when you get back to it in a week.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll do just fine with the edits. Since you already love your story, I think you'll find it a little easier than you think it might be to tweak it to perfection.
ReplyDeleteEditing is tough but necessary.
ReplyDeletewhat I always said to my writing students is go with a consensus -- if there is one, from all the class comments. That is a red flag that something might really need to be changed. But if comments are conflicting, then go with your gut.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to editing, one of the hardest parts for me is cutting pieces out. When you have multiple crit partners it's helpful to get an idea of what needs changing, but when they're opinions differ, you're definitely left thinking what to do since you can't please everyone anyway.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with a-z.
I've learned so much about the editing process from an online course, Holly Lisle's "How to Revise your Novel." Her process is designed to mostly work before you get critiques, focusing on what you most need and love in your story, but I expect that the lessons will stand me in good stead when I get my critiques back. Good luck!
ReplyDelete