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Editing Simplified

Editing Simplified. Do whatever makes the story better. Everything in the story works toward unity of theme and idea. William Hill www.fantasyhill.com. Characters Make Choices that Matter. Unity of Theme. Calvin and Hobbes cartoon

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Editing Simplified

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  1. Editing Simplified • Do whatever makes the story better. • Everything in the story works toward unity of theme and idea. William Hill www.fantasyhill.com

  2. Characters Make Choices that Matter

  3. Unity of Theme Calvin and Hobbes cartoon Characters : a six year old (our inner child) and his stuffed buddy (imagination and conscience) Setting: the forest represents the natural world Conflict: which choices to make? Some are dangerous. Pace: the wagon, gravity and no brakes! Tension: when will they crash? Theme: the impact and consequences of choices William Hill www.fantasyhill.com

  4. Know your targetaudience

  5. Word Selection & VOICe • The reader unconsciously knows you could have chosen any word. Why did you select that specific word? Is it right for the character who is speaking or thinking? • Your best friend is smart. • Would intelligent, brainy, a whiz, a genius, savvy, sharp, or brilliant work better? William Hill www.fantasyhill.com

  6. PACE You can improve it by: Simplifying scene or chapter transitions. Eliminate unneeded or repetitive sentences. Sentences that are unnecessary should be removed. Shorten sentences to imply speed. Cut repetitive scenes or combine them. Increase tension! William Hill www.fantasyhill.com

  7. Increase TENSION-SUSPENSE • Check timing and pace of story • Missed opportunities • Delay • Pause • Add to conflict, other suspects • Stretch taut the reader’s emotions William Hill www.fantasyhill.com

  8. Eliminate Adverbs • Turn two words into one. • The boy ran quickly down the street. • Sped, raced, sprinted? • The girl walked slowly along the sidewalk. • How many words for walk slowly? William Hill www.fantasyhill.com

  9. Vary patterns Mr. Hill came from Nevada to talk and share with us tips to help us improve our writing. He talked about where ideas come from. He talked about the importance of vocabulary. He talked about storytelling and editing. Then he was done and went home. All the way from Nevada, Mr. Hill came to share tips with us to improve our writing. He spoke about where ideas come from. After that, he showed us the importance of vocabulary. He discussed storytelling and editing, then he was done. William Hill www.fantasyhill.com

  10. Final Edits • If you have multiple character viewpoints, read them separately for character unity. • Look for pet phrases- like, so, just, suddenly • Correct spelling and typos. Don’t trust your spell checker! Grate author. Great? Or grating? You are two kind. You meant you are too kind. She grabbed him by the waste. You meant she grabbed him by the waist. I had my hare cut yesterday. Do you own a rabbit? He had fists of furry. It broke the mood. You meant that he had fists of fury. William Hill www.fantasyhill.com

  11. Grammar • A messymessage gets lost. • Take your creation and organize it, following the rules, to successfully share your idea with someone else. • Break the rules only to make a point. • Your early drafts are for you. Your last draft is for your audience. Willilam Hill www.fantasyhill.com

  12. Dr. Seuss rejected 43 times. Richard Bach’sJonathan Livingston Seagull rejected 37 times. Philo T. Farnsworth took 7 years to create the Television. JRR Tolkien’sThe Hobbit first rejected for a poor editing. William Hill www.fantasyhill.com Perseverance

  13. In the End Open your eyes and mind. Ideas abound. Follow the recipe. Make good and colorful word choices. Show. Don’t tell. Make characters realistic and relatable. Edit! Polish until diamondbrilliant. Keep creating and writing. Over and over. . . William Hill www.fantasyhill.com

  14. More about books & ideas • www.Fantasyhill.com

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