Friday, May 21, 2010

Editing Goals



I said I was taking a week off of writing, but I have to admit that I cheated a few times. I'm really excited about editing the young adult novel I wrote a few years ago. I've learned a lot since writing it. I still love the story, and there are plenty of ways that I can make it stronger.

I'm trying to figure out what kind of goals to set for editing it. A daily word count? By the number of pages? Getting it all done by a certain date? I'm not sure where to start. Also, I'll have to go through it several time. Do I set my goals for only the first go around? If I don't set goals, I'll tinker with it forever.

I need your help. What kind of goals do you set for editing and rewrites?

11 comments:

  1. I wish I had more of them. I usually pick a month I want it done by and then just go at it. This time round, I'm not. I'm trying to just work a little at it each day.

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  2. I would set a weekly goal... how many words per week. That way, if one day is busier than another, you really don't get behind.

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  3. I'm really loosey-goosey when it comes to goals. For instance, one of mine is to begin querying my book before the end of the year. I still have to finish my edits and research agents before I can tackle that, but I don't need a specific date or word target to motivate me.

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  4. Julie, I don't know how helpful I could be here. I'm not a big fan of putting pressure on myself. Whether we have the courage to admit it or not, creative writing is an art-form. The pressures of daily life are not conducive to being creative. I would simply encourage you to committ yourself to the project at hand, but allow the muse to take you by the hand. Good luck to you in your efforts...

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  5. When teaching goals, I coach taking a backward approach. In other words, start with your finished project and then break down your steps backwards until you reach the beginning (where you are now). It's important to keep reality of life in mind, of course. And I agree with James that you don't want your creativity to be buried by structure.
    I also teach to begin your day writing three gratitudes, three successes, and then 6 things you want to accomplish, and an intention around all of the above. For example my intention today is to live in my heart fully. So, with that in mind, I'll question if my daily activity reflects my intention. I find if I deviate from my intention, my energy drains. But if I stay in integrity with myself, following my daily goals with intention, I stay energized and may even complete more than I set out to do.
    Just some thoughts! Remember, always, that you're doing absolutely your best, and that's what counts!

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  6. Perfect timing for me! I'm heavily editing my WIP right now. What I do is spend two days doing 40 or 50 page chunks. SO each 50 pages gets two full days of my attention until I rotate through the whole book. Then I go over it in a variety of different ways, looking for sensory input, or cutting dialogue tags. It's pretty intense. And I always rely on my gut editor. That's a great help. Glad your joining me in the editing cave!

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  7. Wow. These comments are all fascinating. So many different ways to do it. Keep them coming!

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  8. Im not great at keeping goals. I tend to let life get in the way. But I have been trying to turn over a new leaf. I just know that I cant do too many long range goals - just getting through the day presents one victory at a time.
    You'll figure out what works best for your personality.

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  9. I'm enjoying the comments, although I'm a long way off from the editing process. I write articles for regional parenting magazines. I just recently got it though my thick skull that if I want to write a book, there will never be a "good" time.

    For a few months now, I was trying to figure out what kind of story to write, but while I was in the kids/ young adult section at Borders it was like someone smacked me upside the head. See, I love the YA and kid chapter books. I go through the section with my twins while they are picking out books and I get excited showing them books I like. When they don't show interest in one I want to read, I find myself pleading with them to want it. Could I be any more pathetic? Anyway, last week I had a whole idea light up my brain (boy did that hurt), and I started. It's my first ever attempt at a book. I'm excited. I even find when I pull myself away that there's an empty feeling, much like the feeling I get when I finish a reading a good book. I'm not saying the book is good, I don't know. And I'm now at the point where I'm writing and wondering if I even know what in tar I'm doing. Chances are nothing will amount of this book, but I'm excited and I'm doing it. I'm sure when I sit down after how ever long this takes, I will be horrified by what I've written and the revising/editing process could be a daunting challenge.

    Sorry, I'm rambling now. Congratulations on getting to the editing and I'm sure you'll find a system that works for you. Just remember to share what works so others like me have more ideas to choose from.

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  10. I'm slow with my editing, and I work it until it's polished to a gleaming shine. I really have no great advice, other than to recommend Manuscript Makeover among other books on craft.

    Good luck with your revisions!

    (I'm new here. Nice to meet you. :)

    ~Lola

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  11. I'm new here too, and I really like your blog. I always edit much more than I intend to; maybe it's because I don't outline. When I was in journalism school, my professors quoted Truman Capote: "There's no such thing as good writing, only good rewriting." I really took it seriously because it's so hard to stop editing my work.

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