This unusual gut reaction to editing really does make sense. Let me explain. Editing an entire manuscript can be overwhelming, but if you approach it a chapter at a time, it's doable. Same thing with a tree branch. It can be bulky and heavy to start with, but when it gets cut into sizable chunks, it's easy to maneuver.
I cut some words from a chapter, and then cut some logs. I'm making my manuscript tidy at the same time I'm cleaning up my woodpile. I once dated a man from Vermont, where wood fires are common. He told me you should never put a Vermonter in front of an unstacked pile of wood, because they wouldn't come inside until it was arranged in a logical, neat order. It's the same with editing. You're not done until you can read through your entire document with your fingers off the keyboard.
Since this is a novella, there aren't that many chapters to get through, so it should take no longer than a couple days to do the work. Which is good, since I only have three more branches to chop up.
Chopping wood and editing: nice analogy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gay. This only goes to prove I can make an analogy out of anything.
DeleteI really like reading (on paper) with a pen in hand about half way through the project. It gives me a good handle on where the story is going.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynn, for visiting here today. It's always good to hear how others do it.
DeleteExcellent post, Becky! I find that reading from the hard copy of the manuscript works best for me. Pen in hand, I stop and circle any awkward-sounding phrases.
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