Editing

[Alistair Roberts]

Really, it's the boring part but the very necessary part of every story. I've just spent nearly a day getting rid of excess use of the word "that" which has shown 342 of them weren't needed! I've gotten rid of excess "really" and "very" and now I have a heap of other words to check and delete where possible.
One thing I also found was that sometimes I had "that" when it should have been "then." Such is the life of a writer, now back to it. What started out as 106,876 is down to 104,433 and shrinking.

 

[Chase Gamwell]

The first edit of my science fiction adventure novel cut almost 4k words because of how much extra stuff was floating around in the story. I'm sure the second and third parts aren't much better.

On the other hand, the mystery you read saw an additional 2k words added after the first two edits were done.

 

[KG Christopher]

I find that I edit every chapter, after I have 100% of the content down. I read, I re-read, I check for the sound of the chapter, try and put the dot things in the right places. All of that good stuff. I probably write the first draft in 40% of the time, then 60% put over to editing. But it is fun.

 

[Robinne Weiss]

When I first edited my first novel, I noted a word or two that I used excessively (not any of the usual ones), and there was a different word in novel #2 that was overabundant. I'm wondering if there are any tools out there that will scan your MS and list your most commonly used words--would make finding those problem words easier. Anyone know of one? (This is where someone tells me that the program I currently use has a great tool that I didn't know about, and I feel silly for not checking... )

 

[Emurelda]

When I first edited my first novel, I noted a word or two that I used excessively (not any of the usual ones), and there was a different word in novel #2 that was overabundant. I'm wondering if there are any tools out there that will scan your MS and list your most commonly used words--would make finding those problem words easier. Anyone know of one? (This is where someone tells me that the program I currently use has a great tool that I didn't know about, and I feel silly for not checking... )

Brilliant qn. I'd like to know too.

 

[Alistair Roberts]

It's called word count! If you search for a specific word and ask for 'find all', then call up word count, it should tell you xxx of selection and separately, total word count

 

[Robinne Weiss]

You see! I told you someone was going to show me how ignorant I am... Thanks, @Alistair Roberts!

 

[Robinne Weiss]

Of course, that requires me to know which word I used too much...I often don't, because it changes with each story.

 

[Nicole Wilson]

Wow - I'm quite the opposite. My stories often fall short of word count when I first write them. My first novel topped out at 50K when I finished the first draft. It's now 75K. My second started at 70K, now it's at 80K. My main focus when I'm first writing the book is getting the ideas into words down on paper. Usually this means I have a lot of dialogue without tags or scene description and a lot of scenes with little emotional impact, because I get so caught up in the action, that if I don't type it fast, I'll lose a good chunk of my choreography. I add in the setting and emotions afterward.

 

[Emurelda]

Wow - I'm quite the opposite. My stories often fall short of word count when I first write them. My first novel topped out at 50K when I finished the first draft. It's now 75K. My second started at 70K, now it's at 80K. My main focus when I'm first writing the book is getting the ideas into words down on paper. Usually this means I have a lot of dialogue without tags or scene description and a lot of scenes with little emotional impact, because I get so caught up in the action, that if I don't type it fast, I'll lose a good chunk of my choreography. I add in the setting and emotions afterward.

I've discovered I'm a sketcher too.

 

[Alistair Roberts]

And another 230 deleted today, so far. Current word being pruned is 'then.'

 

[Robinne Weiss]

Wow - I'm quite the opposite. My stories often fall short of word count when I first write them. My first novel topped out at 50K when I finished the first draft. It's now 75K. My second started at 70K, now it's at 80K. My main focus when I'm first writing the book is getting the ideas into words down on paper. Usually this means I have a lot of dialogue without tags or scene description and a lot of scenes with little emotional impact, because I get so caught up in the action, that if I don't type it fast, I'll lose a good chunk of my choreography. I add in the setting and emotions afterward.

Me too. Too many years of 255 word limits, I suppose--I always have to go back and add details.

 

[KG Christopher]

My problem is, every time I open my minds eye, I just want to add more and more. I have 3 new pages this morning, now it's time to get the childer up, make the porridge, feed the dog, and I hope I can get back to some writing today cos I am on a roll.

 

[Chase Gamwell]

Wow - I'm quite the opposite. My stories often fall short of word count when I first write them. My first novel topped out at 50K when I finished the first draft. It's now 75K. My second started at 70K, now it's at 80K. My main focus when I'm first writing the book is getting the ideas into words down on paper. Usually this means I have a lot of dialogue without tags or scene description and a lot of scenes with little emotional impact, because I get so caught up in the action, that if I don't type it fast, I'll lose a good chunk of my choreography. I add in the setting and emotions afterward.

Exhaustive outlining is what I have to do to keep my word count in check. If I don't outline, I find that the story rambles for thousands of extra words that really don't need to be there. On the other hand, when I outline, the stories tend to fall short of word count until I go back and fill in some of the details and connect some dots that were previously left. As I continue to write, I find that the more detailed my outline is, the less deviation my final word count winds up having when all is said and done.

 

[Nicole Wilson]

Exhaustive outlining is what I have to do to keep my word count in check. If I don't outline, I find that the story rambles for thousands of extra words that really don't need to be there. On the other hand, when I outline, the stories tend to fall short of word count until I go back and fill in some of the details and connect some dots that were previously left. As I continue to write, I find that the more detailed my outline is, the less deviation my final word count winds up having when all is said and done.

I've never written without an outline (because I'm pretty sure my head would explode) so idk how that changes my word count, but I do know that if I don't do in-depth character outlines first, my books wind up shorter, because I don't have that personal information to add throughout.

 

[Chase Gamwell]

I've never written without an outline (because I'm pretty sure my head would explode) so idk how that changes my word count, but I do know that if I don't do in-depth character outlines first, my books wind up shorter, because I don't have that personal information to add throughout.

My very first "novel" was written without an outline and tends to ramble a lot without actually getting to the point (this makes the main story arc pretty weak). I'm about to start on a complete rewrite, but plan on doing so with the help of a VERY comprehensive outline. Writing without an outline taught me a valuable lesson - never write without an outline! lol

 

[Carol Rose]

I don't use outlines either, except in very basic form to keep me on track with the story arc. The further I get in a series, the more I need to make sure I'm addressing all the secondary and tertiary plot lines in the series. But each book is still a stand-alone, so the main focus is on the romance in that particular book. I do detailed character sketches to stay on point for that arc. The better I know my heroine and hero, the easier it is for me to write them.

As for the actual editing, I do that scene by scene, or chapter by chapter, as I go along. With a shorter story I might get the whole thing down on paper first and then go back to edit it. But with most of my books (average word count is 40K), I edit the previous day's work before moving forward, until I finish the book. Then I write the synopsis and send that puppy off.

 

[Alistair Roberts]

Another word I seem to over use, "rather." 147, reduced to 44. Total word count now down to 103,979, and falling

 

[KG Christopher]

I use 'rather' quite a lot also

 

[Alistair Roberts]

I rather thought so, but then I'd rather not admit I knew.

 

[KG Christopher]

I would rather think of an alternative, for instance 'He chose the hammer to have done with him, rather than the chain saw' can become 'He chose the hammer to have done with him, as opposed to the chain saw'

 

[Jason Byrne]

Wow - I'm quite the opposite. My stories often fall short of word count when I first write them. My first novel topped out at 50K when I finished the first draft. It's now 75K. My second started at 70K, now it's at 80K. My main focus when I'm first writing the book is getting the ideas into words down on paper. Usually this means I have a lot of dialogue without tags or scene description and a lot of scenes with little emotional impact, because I get so caught up in the action, that if I don't type it fast, I'll lose a good chunk of my choreography. I add in the setting and emotions afterward.

I've discovered I'm a sketcher too.

I do the same; I'm always writing notes into outlines, rearranging them, striking them through as I reach them, looking at the title list of the soundtracks I make to judge the pacing. I will think of notes that become whole scenes after the fact that I realize I need to add to better explain the story. So what starts out as a 220k-word book will flesh-out into a 260k-word. Of course, through judicious removal of those floaters, it will probably drop back to 250.

 

[Emurelda]

I don't use outlines either, except in very basic form to keep me on track with the story arc. The further I get in a series, the more I need to make sure I'm addressing all the secondary and tertiary plot lines in the series. But each book is still a stand-alone, so the main focus is on the romance in that particular book. I do detailed character sketches to stay on point for that arc. The better I know my heroine and hero, the easier it is for me to write them.

As for the actual editing, I do that scene by scene, or chapter by chapter, as I go along. With a shorter story I might get the whole thing down on paper first and then go back to edit it. But with most of my books (average word count is 40K), I edit the previous day's work before moving forward, until I finish the book. Then I write the synopsis and send that puppy off.

Woof!

 

[Patricia D]

Wow - I'm quite the opposite. My stories often fall short of word count when I first write them. My first novel topped out at 50K when I finished the first draft. It's now 75K. My second started at 70K, now it's at 80K. My main focus when I'm first writing the book is getting the ideas into words down on paper. Usually this means I have a lot of dialogue without tags or scene description and a lot of scenes with little emotional impact, because I get so caught up in the action, that if I don't type it fast, I'll lose a good chunk of my choreography. I add in the setting and emotions afterward.

I'm one of these people. I add more than I cut when I edit, but don't outline. I tried it for NaNoWriMo this year, and on Nov 5 had a better idea that made hash of my carefully crafted outline. That bare-bones first draft is a form of outline - a long and detailed one

 

[Jason Byrne]

I'm one of these people. I add more than I cut when I edit, but don't outline. I tried it for NaNoWriMo this year, and on Nov 5 had a better idea that made hash of my carefully crafted outline. That bare-bones first draft is a form of outline - a long and detailed one

So I literally just realized what your profile picture was, and was like "oh no you left your window unlocked!" Someone could break into the nothingness on the other side.

 

[Alistair Roberts]

So I finished that round of editing and deleted about 1,200 words

 

[Jason Byrne]

So I finished that round of editing and deleted about 1,200 words

Banzai! Banzai! Banzai!

 

[Alistair Roberts]

You kill me.... lol

 

[Richard Sutton]

I just ordered a new, battle replica of a Viking sword that shall hang near my desk and remind me to slice and cleave with gusto!

 

[Jason Byrne]

I just ordered a new, battle replica of a Viking sword that shall hang near my desk and remind me to slice and cleave with gusto!

I've got a HCS battle-ready twisted-hilt broadsword (in pawn) — and another HCS gladius, with my parents back in Michigan.

Nice to know they at least will be able to fend off zombies. I'll have to break into Famous Pawn when the Outbreak goes down to get mine back. And I wouldn't have preferred the gladius against zombies, anyway.
Actually, I would recommend the Shaolin spade, pictured below: