I’m a very sporadic cleaner. I find it way more fun to run around the apartment, finding one job after another. For instance, I’ll put some shoes I’ve left out in the living room in my closet, and then, instead of continuing to clean the clutter of the living room, I’ll clean my closet. I really do go around in circles as I clean, just picking out what needs to be done.
I can be the same with revising. After that first draft is written, with all of its inconsistencies and plot problems, I’m tempted to read through it, fixing each little issue as I come to it, without looking at the bigger issues.
I’m trying not to do that this time. This time, I’ve focused on the bigger issues, and now I’m taking the book chapter by chapter, focusing on one issue at a time. It’s making the process much more streamlined, and I know the end result will be a clean, fully revised manuscript.
Do you do revisions piecemeal, or do you try to focus on the bigger issues first?
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I usually tackle the bigger issues first and try to work from chapter 1 onward...but that doesn't always happen LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way when I clean!
ReplyDeleteFor me, I've learned to revise by reading through for plot inconsistencies first, character inconsistencies second...and then I go back and actually work on the sentence structure line by line. I used to waste so much time cleaning sentences that I'd end up cutting later. Being disorganized sucks!
I write in chronological order and I usually do my first sweep of revisions that way too. THEN I sift through the scenes that need to be tweaked/rewritten. In whatever order I want to do them.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I totally work the same way you do when I clean :)
I'm still experimenting with my process. When I find one that sticks, I'll let you know.
ReplyDeleteI'm so systematic about editing. Chapter by chapter, line by line. But cleaning -- yes -- I do the same thing! All over the place!
ReplyDeleteI think we're twins. LOL. I clean and revise the same way! But I think chapter by chapter will help you out in the long run. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI clean that way too! I get so distracted, I have to make myself remember that the living is more important than the closet because by the time I finish the closet, I'm too worn out to deal with the living room!
ReplyDeleteI go through my whole book with post-its, focusing on the bigger picture first - this isn't consistent with that part of the plot or character. I'll make a note here or there about certain scenes (example, "She sealed in her true love for eternity, there needs to be more emotion here - she HATES her!"). Hunh. Maybe do a bit of the sporadic. BUT I have colored post-its so I keep track. No line edits until everything else is fixed. You have to cut the stone open before you can polish it!
I like to stay focused. First I try to hit the big ugly major problems, then get down to the nitty gritty grammar edits. I'm the same way with cleaning, too! I find the biggest jobs in the house and tackle them first. Usually it's laundry, dishes and general clutter around the house. It's must easier for me to sweep and wipe counters when all the junk is cleared away!
ReplyDeleteI tend to read through the first draft and look for big issues (and catch the inconsistencies). At least I hope that's what I'm doing. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe thing is, even if I've set a certain list of chores to do, I end up being as sporadic as you and Jennie are when I clean the house. I always find little distractions and before I know it I've spent the whole day just organizing or cleaning! When it comes to the manuscript, I try to be a little bit more disciplined. I usually edit in different stages (which means i go through the manuscript a whole number of times). The first edit is reserved for fixing plot/storyline as well as character inconsistencies, second edit is for editing scenes, and the final edit is usually for word usage, sentence structure and all the boring nitty gritty stuff.
ReplyDeletenutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
I've definitely hashed out a formula for revisions after having done a ton of it... I work on big issues first, then I have a whole list of small revision checks. I follow each step through to the end before moving on to another step. Good luck with it!
ReplyDeleteMy revisions are strange haha I work backwards to make sure each plot point flows, then I go forwards to ensure all characters work, and THEN I do the nitty gritty edits on grammar and the tedious crap haha ;)
ReplyDeleteI've done both, but mixed up. Because the little things are easy; the big ones are ovewhelming, so I let myself do the itty bitty ones as a break.
ReplyDeleteUm. Hmm. I wheedle it down. Big, sweeping reviews first, working my way down. Yeah. Like wittling. :)
ReplyDelete