"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." - Walt Disney

Friday, April 5, 2013

Editing

I’m working on line edits of one of my short stories. It’s the first science fiction piece I’ve written. Initial feedback has been very positive.

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?

16 comments:

D.G. Hudson said...

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.

Good Luck!

saniya said...

Good luck with the edits. I don't have any experience with CPs yet. But I do hope you figure everything out.

Sania at Embracing Dawn

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Getting advice from outside sources can be both good and bad. I hope you can sort it all out.

Mark Means said...

I have a couple of projects that are just plodding along...mainly because I'm not devoting the the time I need to them.

I need to get on the ball and get them done.

Then....edits! :)

Good luck with yours

Left and Write

Kerri Cuev said...

I like editing! I'm in the plotting stages of two stories right now. Good luck with your story.

James R Tate said...

Hey 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.

Dana Martin said...

I 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!

Dana
Waiter, drink please!


Jessica Ferguson said...

I usually get very confused by multiple critiques. Everyone always has an opinion--right or wrong.

Give 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.

Rebeccah Giltrow said...

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 :)

http://rebeccahgiltrow.blogspot.co.uk/

Vanessa Kelly said...

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!

Carrie Sorensen said...

I 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.

The Brown Recluse (TBR) said...

I'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.

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Editing is tough but necessary.

Sandra Tyler said...

what 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.

Unknown said...

When 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.

Have fun with a-z.

Anonymous said...

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!