tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327899218114754732.post3029901163297391545..comments2023-08-23T00:18:21.336+01:00Comments on Novelistas Ink.: Structural Edits for the Faint-Hearted by Juliet Greenwood Valerie-Anne Bagliettohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01723076388057535678noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327899218114754732.post-8878531539667773542017-09-05T08:01:03.493+01:002017-09-05T08:01:03.493+01:00Writing is a constant learning exercise - wails mi...Writing is a constant learning exercise - wails mid structural edits! Morton S Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06649436201501082802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327899218114754732.post-7143391156726127582016-11-15T11:26:14.862+00:002016-11-15T11:26:14.862+00:00Such helpful advice, Juliet. : ) I tend to edit as...Such helpful advice, Juliet. : ) I tend to edit as I write, but have learnt the hard way not to be too precious about a first draft. So this year I'm giving Nanowrimo a go, whilst also asking for feedback on a synopsis from RNA critique partners. Hopefully this time the structure won't require an electric hedge trimmer to prune it into shape - time will tell! Rae Cowiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10213969901991611348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327899218114754732.post-69165170878898060562016-11-06T11:40:53.357+00:002016-11-06T11:40:53.357+00:00That is so true, Nadine, that so often a book isn&...That is so true, Nadine, that so often a book isn't done when the writer thinks it is. I still find it hard being ruthless, but I can see that it's the only way to get a really good book. It definitely worked with 'What She Knew' - so good luck with the next one! Juliethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15976070641808614538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327899218114754732.post-65853974452284503702016-11-06T11:38:36.727+00:002016-11-06T11:38:36.727+00:00I'm glad you found it useful, Nikki! It's ...I'm glad you found it useful, Nikki! It's always good to know you are not alone. Good luck with the new novel - and with the rewrite. Go kill your darlings! :-)<br />Juliethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15976070641808614538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327899218114754732.post-32930789421811121492016-11-03T17:09:53.869+00:002016-11-03T17:09:53.869+00:00First drafts are easy for me to get down on paper....First drafts are easy for me to get down on paper. It's those next drafts, when I have to be ruthless, that are tough. With my last book I had done several drafts, then decided to lop off the last third of the book because I didn't like where it was going...so I had to redo many, many pages. I also decided to switch tenses, which was no small feat. <br /><br />I'm not saying I have it down -- I still feel like a beginner in many ways -- but I read a lot of manuscripts, and too often the writers think they're done when they've not come near to tapping the potential of their stories. Nadine_Feldmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05742177071130596367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327899218114754732.post-6543895233291723502016-11-03T10:01:05.907+00:002016-11-03T10:01:05.907+00:00Such wise words - we get so precious about our ...Such wise words - we get so precious about our 'babies' and often find it hard to step back and be objective. Excellent advice! As I await the publication (8 days to go!) of my crime novel, The Shame of Innocence, I'm embarking on a revision (an adaptation? a complete rewrite?) of the first in the series, which I published as an eBook 5 years ago. I'm proud of it but know it could have been better if I'd had the advice and feedback from other writers that I've enjoyed with the second book. Thank you for an inspiring and practical post, Juliet!Nikki Coplestonhttp://www.nikkicopleston.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327899218114754732.post-39088410809183603562016-11-02T20:38:39.592+00:002016-11-02T20:38:39.592+00:00Thank you for your lovely comments, Jan. I still f...Thank you for your lovely comments, Jan. I still find it the hardest, as well as the most rewarding, part of the process. It's always where the real work begins (says she, feelingly, in the middle of tearing the next one to pieces!!!). Keep on going. I never thought I'd get the hang of it, but it is a skill you learn along the way - and editors are the most wonderful people on earth, especially when they don't let you get away with anything. Happy writing (and editing) :-) xxx<br />Juliethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15976070641808614538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327899218114754732.post-61414578898949567182016-11-02T20:34:40.079+00:002016-11-02T20:34:40.079+00:00Thank you, Carol! I'm glad it resonated. Good ...Thank you, Carol! I'm glad it resonated. Good to hold virtual hands as we go through the process. We've both had a great teacher xxx<br /><br />Juliethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15976070641808614538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327899218114754732.post-78705257637683200462016-11-02T18:15:36.329+00:002016-11-02T18:15:36.329+00:00This is such a good post, Juliet. It's what I&...This is such a good post, Juliet. It's what I'm finding the hardest part of the writing journey. I have loved all three of your books but I like your comment that you can see how your writing has developed and it's that that gives you the greatest buzz of all. :-)Jan Baynhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06356572488839476046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327899218114754732.post-82963688148827581642016-11-02T17:20:48.455+00:002016-11-02T17:20:48.455+00:00"That is what structural edits are about. It’..."That is what structural edits are about. It’s taking your book out of your head to hold it in your hands and look at it dispassionately to see what is working and what is not... Feel the fear and do it anyway. You’ve nothing to lose and everything to gain." <br /><br />I have virtually nothing to add! <br /><br />Your skills shine through - 'The White Camellia' is a triumph! xXx<br /><br />Carol Lovekinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02377452610415625111noreply@blogger.com