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Craft Tips by Jeff

Embrace the Editing Process

Edit your work. Everyone knows this, yet after working on a novel for years, it’s hard to re-read it dozens of times. The urge to send a book to your publisher or self-publish it can be strong, but please resist the impulse.

Manuscripts should undergo multiple levels of editing. A structural edit evaluates story arc, plot holes, character development, and other broader issues. A line edit elevates language, improves prose, and makes stylistic changes. A copy edit focuses on grammar, spelling, consistency, and other rule-following guidelines. The proofread is the final check for mistakes, from formatting to missing pages.

My editing iterations depend on my publication schedule and the complexities of each book, but I try to accomplish the following editing passes before I send a manuscript to a publisher. I confirm the plot is in four acts and includes most of the standard 15 story beats. I individually evaluate each POV character for character arc and language. Then I conduct a copy and line edit at the same time. Printing the manuscript and editing on white paper also makes mistakes jump off the page. I read the manuscript aloud to hear the music of the words, but if I’m short on time, I just speak the dialogue.

Software like ProWritingAid and AutoCrit can identify problems like overused words, repeated phrases, sentence length, etc. I run each of ProWritingAid’s 15 reports and always find additional problems. I don’t recommend accepting all the suggestions, so use your best judgment.

It’s difficult to find errors in our own work, because our minds read what it intended, not what is on the page. If you’re indie-published, please hire a human editor. Be aware that while editing is essential, it is possible to over-edit your story. If you endlessly tinker with your work, it may be an avoidance technique because you’re worried about launching the book into the world. Beta readers can let you know when your manuscript is ready for public consumption.

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Study the Craft of Writing

I counsel writers at Elaine’s, mostly because I’ve made so many mistakes, and each month I offer one craft tip to help writers avoid pitfalls.

This month’s tip focuses on the importance of studying the craft of writing. Storytelling is an art, and it takes time and effort to improve. It’s called a “writing practice” because you never stop learning new techniques and finding new ways to express stories. Writing is hard, but the good news is, resources exist to help you.

Read everything that succeeds in your genre, then go back and dissect bestsellers to determine why readers enjoyed them. Reading bad writing can help too, because it’s easier to spot mistakes in other people’s work than in your own. Read widely, because you can find helpful techniques in other genres, and nonfiction can inspire story ideas.

When I first started writing, I read 30 craft books, and by now, I’ve probably read over one hundred. Here are seve of my favorites:

1. The Writer’s Journey, by Christopher Vogler.
2. The First Five Pages, by Noah Lukeman.
3. Save The Cat Writes a Novel, by Jessica Brody
4. Story, by Robert McKee
5. Writing the Breakout Novel, by Donald Maass
6. The Writing Life, by Annie Dillard
7. On Writing, by Stephen King.

I recommend listening to writing podcasts and visiting literary websites.

My favorite podcasts (other than the Elaine’s Literary Salon podcast) are Writers Ink, Writing Excuses, and The Creative Penn Podcast.

Helpful websites include JaneFriedman.com (business advice), writerbeware.com (scam alerts), and AuthorsGuild.org (advocacy and community).

If you want to be a serious author, approach writing as a profession and never stop learning.

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Write Every Day

One factor differentiates writers who succeed from those who don’t. They write. Developing a writing practice is crucial to producing good writing. Aspiring writers often tell me they plan to write “when” which means they will probably never begin or if they do they won’t finish.

There are 24 hours in a day and if you can’t find at least 30 minutes to write then writing isn’t a priority for you. Writing one page (250 words) per day equals a first draft in one year. Find time early in the morning during your lunch hour or late at night. Carry a notebook with you write on your phone or dictate in free moments. Every word counts and something is better than nothing.

Writing every day allows your story to live in your subconscious. You’ll wake up with answers to plot problems and think of cool ideas when you’re in the shower. Writing sporadically requires time to reengage with your characters slowing the process.

The equivalent of Malcolm Gladwell’s 10000 hours to achieve mastery in any subject equates to roughly one million words. The more you write the better you’ll get assuming you have focused practice.

Study the craft and business of writing by listening to podcasts reading books and taking classes but none of that is a substitute for writing. No more excuses. Start today.