Revision is a Process-How to Take the Frustration Out of Self-Editing

Revision is a Process –

How to Take the Frustration Out of Self-Editing

by Catherine E. McLean

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GENRE: Self-Help, Self-Improvement, Non-Fiction

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BLURB:

A first draft holds the possibility of what will be a great story. Revision turns that rough diamond into a spectacular gem worth a reader's money and time.

Writers are individuals but to be a producing writer means creating a system to revise and polish a work so the reader thoroughly enjoys the story. REVISION IS A PROCESS is a guidebook for writers and authors that shows how a simple 12-step process can be tailored to eliminate the most common and chronic maladies of writing genre fiction. This valuable guidebook contains secrets, tips, practical advice, how-to's, and why-to's for taking the frustration out of self-editing.

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EXCERPT:

From Section 1, An Overview of Revision is a Process

. . . revision is a process .  A logical, straightforward process where you don't try to find and fix everything at once. Instead, you break the monumental task into component parts and focus on only an item or two at a time.

Okay, so the reality is that creative people,  especially writers, hate logic and straightforwardness. And it's a fact that logic and creativity have always been at war with each other. After all, creativity gives a writer a high like no other. It's the fun part of writing and storytelling.

On the other hand, revising, rewriting, and self-editing are linear, logical, objective—and not fun.

But necessary.

Ever so necessary if one intends to be commercially successful in the writing business.

Here's something I've learned about writing and self-editing—a writer should find a middle ground. That means having the logical part of one's mind work with the subconscious imagination (the creative self).

It's about adopting a different view of self-editing—calling it a process—and diligently organizing that process into small steps that can easily be done. This gives a writer confidence that they have polished their story and increased its marketability.

I strongly believe, and have seen, that revision-as-a-process enables a writer to use both their left (logical) and right (creative) brain to become even more creative.

That's because the writer not only tailors a one-of-a-kind process but they also develop their own revision master cheat sheets. As a result, the creative subconscious (the imagination) becomes aware of the pitfalls and glitches that must be checked for, and subsequently, little by little, the creative self dishes up better first drafts with far fewer errors.

A Word From the Author:

What would I tell a new author?

Ever hear of the adage you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make them drink? Well, most people reading this won't drink the water of wisdom, which is: Stop writing and learn craft before you commit to that next novel or even publishing it.

Why such seemingly harsh advice? Because the truth is, people were not taught to write fiction or be storytellers. Schools teach enough English for people to be able to communicate with others, relay facts and figures, report in a telling and concrete way about events, and expound with argumentation. Such things make for a base. However, to tell a story well is to showcase a protagonist going on a journey. That journey can be heart-wrenching, soul-wrenching, or even mind-wrenching. Fiction isn't about facts but of larger than life characters, fantasy realms, and wonderment all woven into the fabric of a story.

                 

Writing to touch another mind and cause a movie to play out as the words are read means knowing the foundation, the fundamentals, and the tropes of what story is for the genre being written.

                 

Far too many new writers are unaware that there is a blueprint (or foundation) to a story that appeals to readers. Think about this: there are twenty story plot types for fiction and 144 aspects to writing a novel. No one book includes them all. How do you learn what they are and how they are woven together to net a marketable story? By reading how-to books on the various aspects of fiction, by going to writing workshops and conferences, and by networking with other writers who willingly share insights and knowledge by giving feedback (not criticism). 

                 

I, myself, have studied (not just read but studied) over 400 how-to-write books on fiction and storytelling. That's an accurate number because I keep a list. Why do I keep a list? Because I bought the same book three times and didn't realize it because the covers were not the same! I've also taken university and continuing college educational courses, online courses, and workshops to hone my skills. The proof is in editors and agents saying I write well and tell a story well.

                 

Talent will take you only so far. It is craft that will enhance and showcase that storytelling talent.

                 

If you are curious about the 144 Aspects of a Novel, I'll be giving an online course hosted by Pennwriters (www.pennwriters.org) in February 2018 for it. Updates and information will be posted at http://www.writerscheatsheets.com/upcoming-workshops.html

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Catherine E. McLean's lighthearted, short stories have appeared in hard cover and online anthologies and magazines. Her books include JEWELS OF THE SKY, KARMA & MAYHEM, HEARTS AKILTER, and ADRADA TO ZOOL (a short story anthology). She lives on a farm nestled in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains of Western Pennsylvania. In the quiet of the countryside, she writes lighthearted tales of phantasy realms and stardust worlds (fantasy, futuristic, and paranormal) with romance and advenure. She is also a writing instructor and workshop speaker. Her nonfiction book for writers is REVISION IS A PROCESS - HOW TO TAKE THE FRUSTRATION OUT OF SELF-EDITING.

● Hub Website: http://www.CatherineEmclean.com

● Website for writers:  http://www.WritersCheatSheets.com

● Writers Cheat Sheets Blog: https://writerscheatsheets.blogspot.com

● Linked-In:

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/catherine-e-mclean/7/70b/372 

● Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/catherine.e.mclean.5

● Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/CatherineMcLea7

● Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/catherinemclean

● Amazon Author Page:

http://www.amazon.com/Catherine-E.-McLean/e/B00A3BVG6I/

● Link to buy REVISION IS A PROCESS at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0988587440

● Link to buy REVISION IS A PROCESS at Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/revision-is-a-process-catherine-e-mclean/1126295618

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