Mastering Revisions: Turning Rough Drafts into Polished Gems

Welcome to Writing While Distracted, the podcast that transforms scattered thoughts into literary brilliance! I'm Brenda Murphy, your NeuroSpicy writing coach. In this episode, we'll delve into the exhilarating world of revisions and editing, the 'fun part' of writing.

Discover how to organize your revision process, from structuring your story and refining your prose to the final proofing stages. I'll share my personal workflow and steps to help you polish your rough drafts into submission-ready manuscripts.

We'll also discuss the vital roles of beta readers, copy editors, line editors, and proofreaders in perfecting your work. Plus, I'll provide tips for staying focused amidst the chaos, especially for those dealing with distraction and mental health issues.

Join us as we navigate the winding roads of creativity and embrace the distractions that fuel our writing. Until next time, keep writing and stay inspired!

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Show Notes Revisions and Editing

To recap the process, I use to get my rough as hell draft to a finished product to send to an editor, publisher, or out on submission is:

• Round1: Revisions: structure, pacing, character arcs, genre conventions, continuity, and attending to items that require research.
• Round 2: Language: word choice, refining prose, pacing, dialogue, scene descriptions, character descriptions, continuity. *At this point I send it to my beta readers.
• Round 3: Proofing: Suggestions from Beta readers, grammar, spelling, punctuation, copy edits, line edits formatting for submission or publication. Copy edits, line edits.
• Round 4: Final proofing read through before submission or publishing.

 

Jane Friedman has a great article on hiring a developmental editor here (https://janefriedman.com/before-you-hire-a-developmental-editor-what-you-need-to-know/) Her newsletter is one of my favorites and always contains helpful information and links.