As I am almost through editing my book, once again; I find that every time I get through it, I am some place different from where I started. Is this normal? Is it okay? Should my book have a different feel as it goes along, but still retain the same theme? Heck if I know...
First supposed problem: I spent so much time creating the first half of the book and tinkering here and tinkering there, that I probably abused it too much. By the time I wrote the second half(in about a month's time as compared to at least a year on the first half) the book seems to be broken into halves. The real story and conflict is played out in the second half where in it is only referenced in the first half. So is this okay?
I remember reading Harry Potter and the SS, and thinking that finding the stone almost played second fiddle to hogwarts and the wizarding world that JKR had created. Because my book is out of this world, I found that I spent most of my time in the first half of the book creating rather than story telling. I've had mixed results from readers(to say the least).
Second supposed problem: when does editing stop, and changing stuff around without adding any value begin? I feel like there are times when I change elements of the story and don't gain whole lot. How do you enhance the story without wasting your time???
Anybody have advice on this stuff???
4 comments:
So, from what I've read and experienced, books vary in intensity (is that what you mean by "feel"?). One consistent emotion throughout would be boring.
Most (maybe all?) writers use the Three Act Structure to pace their stories. Some prefer a four act structure. In the three act structure, the first two acts end in intensifying complications. Near the end of the third act is the climax/ most intense complication, and finally the resolution. This is a major over-simplification. Try reading "Writing Fiction for Dummies" (I'm serious). Or check out the blog on www.dianapeterfreund.com for great info on the four act structure.
As far as editing goes, I'm a girl who loves to edit and edit and edit. But I always remember the goal of editing is to find the best, clearest, most beautiful way to say what it is I want to say. When you're done, you know you're done.
According to me.
I got the dummie book. It's at the library ready to be picked up. Hope it helps.
It's hard to say without having read what you are writing. In some cases, it may work. Yes, in HP, the SS wasn't really brought into the book until towards the end, but if you go back and read it, there are elements that allude to what may happen. Is there a way you can integrate what you have created in the first part of your story into the second part? My feeling is that it may read better if you start the story where the real story and conflict begins and add to it what you created in the first. But again, I haven't read it, so I'm not entirely sure.
As far as editing goes, if you get too "editing happy," you can keep editing and keep editing until you're so lost and confused you don't know where to stop. Just go with what you feel is true to the story and try not to edit too much, unless it needs to be fixed grammatically or enhances the story. If it doesn't add value and you like the story where it is, leave it.
Hope this helps you in some way! Good luck :)
Thanks Jare,
Don't know who you are, but come back often. We're trying to get this blog up and running! Everybody's a critic, but not everybody's a writer. We are kinda looking for those who are both. Until you know what it's like to write a story and try to entertain readers, it makes it more difficult to understand what a writer goes through in trying to push their manuscript to completion.
Thanks again.
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