Sunday, December 14, 2008

Editing JASPER



Another quick posting . . . gee, this could become habit-forming! Who cares about in-depth posts when there are quick-and-easy posts? They're so much quicker, and easier!

Ahem . . . .

I'm up through Chapter 6 of JASPER with the new editing work based on the recent planning work. The editing is coming along very well. I remember back to how frustrating it was when I was writing the last chapters of JASPER and I'm enjoying every moment of how it feels right now, which is to say, it feels like everything is making sense. Gone is that terrible, frustrating sense of urgency, that somehow I have to stop what I'm doing because it's not really the right thing, and if only I could see it, I'd know it, and then I could write it, and it would be the right thing. I now feel that what I'm doing is the right thing, and I'm fixing things in such a way that they will all tie in together and the plot will be consistent and will build to the right climax, not just any climax (some days, not just any climax will do).

I am debating on whether to go back and rewrite Chapter 5, just to make it more briefer, since extraneous overflowings of unnecessary wordage are superfluous, not to mention excessive. However, I think I'll hold off on that since it's not too extreme a problem, and the nature of that work lies more in balance and general tweakage. My main focus now is on bringing the story in line with itself (ie, general consistency according to the New Revised Plot Plan). After I tackle the large stuff, then I'll go back through for another round, when I can focus on finer details. I may want to rewrite some scenes then if I can think of alternate versions that accomplish the same thing story-wise but which do so in a more dramatic or engaging manner.

In order to keep this posting brief, as promised, I'll stop now.

Adrian

9 comments:

Wynn Bexton said...

Hi Adrian, I just replied to your two posts on my blog as I just found them today in my 'delete' box. I have no idea why they went directly there. Anyway, I appreciated your comments. And I always enjoy reading your blog as well. Keep up the good work. I'm slowed down a bit at the moment due to holiday distractions and other stuff but I'm hoping at least to get Part VI done before the month end.

Anonymous said...

I always liked the revision part of novel writing. It always seemed so much more fun than writing the original draft.

Anonymous said...

I also wanted to recommend (as this is an authors blog) a service I use to publish my novels online. I’m quite happy with it and think other authors might like it:

Illumitas.net.

Anonymous said...

Hello Adrian,

Just stopping by to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Joyous and Prosperous New Year.

Adrian Swift said...

Susan, thank you very much! And likewise! Wishing you a happy holiday season and all the best in the coming year. Very nice hearing from you!

Adrian

Adrian Swift said...

Wynn, thanks for dropping by! I enjoy your blog and am always impressed by your many projects. I have no idea how Blogger works, or why it doesn't always seem to work the way we'd think it should. At least I am getting some comments through these days, after several months where that was not even possible.

Yes, the holiday distractions are rather, uh, distracting! But I know we'll each get back to work in earnest once we can.

Best wishes for a happy holiday season and all the best in the new year,

Adrian

Adrian Swift said...

Kaylee,

thanks for the enthusiasm surrounding editing. That does help. You managed to put a positive spin on it and I'll keep that in mind when I get mired in the tedium of editing.

Thanks for mentioning that site for publishing stuff online. Good to know about the various options that exist.

Good luck with your writing, and happy holidays!

Adrian

Anonymous said...

This has nothing to do with your blog posting, but I recently found out that my best friend with whom I had long, tasty talks on his parents' backyard shed is now out, gay and happy, and has a long term relationship. But they're stuck living at home with his parents. I hope that changes. Anyway, I really liked your writing, and will check back later on "Jasper" to see what transpires.

Adrian Swift said...

Karen, I'm happy for your friend if he has found happiness in his relationship, and happy for you that you also enjoy your friendship with him, and I'm happy you stopped by and left a comment on my blog! Are you also a writer or aspiring writer?

Best wishes for the new year,

Adrian