Friday, March 21, 2014

Editing in Bits and Pieces


I'm participating again in Writing for Children and Teens Red Light, Green Light event. It is hosted by Cynthea and Kissy.

It is kind of like the Red Light, Green Light game you played as a child.
You submit your first 125 words of your manuscript - Cynthea and Kissy either give it the red light or green light. If you get a green light, you advance to the next round. Then you submit the next 250 words of your manuscript. You keep submitting until you get the red light. Then you go back to start and start all over again

She gives you helpful tips on your manuscript excerpts along the way.

I am finding that this is a great way to edit - in bits and pieces. I find myself making small changes in each of my submissions before hitting the send button. I want each word and each sentence the best it can be.

In looking at your manuscript in tiny lumps, you help each section of your manuscript better stand alone. You make each word and sentence count.

Pull up your manuscript and give this a try. I think you will find it helpful in making each section better.

Better sections mean better manuscripts.

Writing is like quilting. You work on it one section at a time, 
until you are happy with the finished product.

Posted byJanet Smart on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.






9 comments:

  1. I hadn't heard of this event! It sounds like a GREAT one!

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    1. Yes, it is Barbara. Click on the link above, there's still time to enter.

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  2. I love your quilt and the analogy of editing being like quilting. This is great advise. I will follow this. I always learn something new and helpful from your blog.

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    1. Hi Brenda, thanks. I try to put helpful info in my blog posts.

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  3. This is awesome! I will definitely be looking into this event! I also love the quilting reference.

    www.ccriley.com

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    1. Hi C. C., I hope you get to participate in it. It's fun and a way to get a little critique on your work.

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  4. Still working on my first draft of my wip, but love this suggestion! AND...oh my I LOVE that quilt. I gasped, oh yes I did.

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    1. Hi Deb. Good luck with your WIP! Thanks for the compliment on my quilt. I made it out of old jean material. I thought the pink added a little 'something' to it. Just like with our stories - we try to add something 'different' to make it stand out.

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  5. Wow, I love the quilt and I always find some great advice when I visit. Thank you for sharing.

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Thank you for your comments. I love comments!