After a very relaxing Easter vacation, I am ready to get back to work. I read the historical in one fell swoop and happy to discover it wasn't as bad as I thought it was. But it needs a lot of work -- my seams are showing and I seem to forget that readers cannot read my mind. My narrative arc needs to be tied to the emotional state of my main character. This is a very happy place for me though. Revising. I'm armed with sticky notes, colored pens, a notebook, index cards -- hello office supplies! -- but most importantly, a great love for this story. I hope I won't be on the hamster wheel for too long. Actually, I have a deadline. Seven weeks. Before school lets out for the summer holidays.
Here are some of my favorite books/tools on revision -- some pages it seems I have to read over and over again.
Novel Metamorphosis by Darcy Pattison (her website is very helpful too)
Second Sight by Cheryl Klein
Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass
Stein on Writing by Sol Stein
Please share some of your favorite books and tools for revising a novel.
6 comments:
I love Donald Maass's workbook, but his newest book (21st Century) is his best book yet. It's a lot of work, but worth it.
I also use Donald Maass's workbook. I love revising, too!
I agree, Second Sight is a great book to use during revising. I'm also a fan of Noah Lukeman's The First Five Pages.
Stina, I'm only about halfway through DM's 21st cent. book. Very helpful.
Katie, it's nice to meet another writer who enjoys revision.
Faith, the bookmap is a brilliant idea from CK. I'll have to check out NL.
Good for you, Vijaya. Hope I get to read it SOON!
I want to get that workbook! I need all the help I can get.
I used the book map from CK's book this time and used a different color font for each plot thread. As I near the end of revisions, I end up with a nice messy sheet of paper with "last stuff" jotted on it and love to check each point off.
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