Okay, people, this is a multi-faceted post. Get ready.
First, I wanted to expound a little more on my revision process. It has complete relevance, because it's also how I read critically, and at the end of this post is the Pay It Forward With Partials! winner. So if you don't like how I'm probably going to slash help you, then you can just pretend like you never saw this post...
Okay, so revision layers. When I revise, I do it in steps. Stages. Layers.
1. Little stuff/Senses. This is tweaking the writing, the word choice, the flow, the voice, the style. This is moving one sentence up a bit and taking one out for clarity. This is not rewriting scenes. I make sure I know the weather and how that affects my character. I spice up the writing with smell, taste, and sound, not just sight and touch.
I make notes of where new scenes might go or how the weather might affect emotion or setting for later. I star them, I don't actually write them. The first layer is a clean up layer, basically erasing all the comment bubbles I left for myself in the drafting stage.
2. Character. Okay, I don't know, like really know, my MC until I'm done with the first draft. And sometimes not even then. So I devote an entire layer to developing character. Fleshing them out. Making them consistent in action/choice (unless their arc dictates otherwise). Bringing them to life. This takes way longer than the first layer, but it's one of the best layers, IMO.
I make notes of where new scenes might go, mostly backstory or flashbacks in this layer. (Yes, I said flashbacks. Deal with it.) I star them, I don't actually write them.
3. Emotions. I'm ridiculously flat at emotions. Most of the time, my first draft is emotionless. Going back in to get them right, to insert reactions and feelings, is something I do after I've written the whole book. Then I know my character (and I've done the character layer, so that helps too), and I can accurately portray how they'd be feeling in certain key situations. I'll admit that sometimes while I'm doing my character layer, that I work on the emotional layer too.
I make notes of where new scenes might go, again mostly backstory to set the character's emotional reactions in key scenes. I star them, I don't actually write them.
4. Setting. I'm notoriously bad about describing the setting. My CP's are always like, "I'm so confused here. Is she in the culvert or not?" So I make an entire layer just for setting purposes. Anywhere that someone was confused about where things are/were, etc. I take a deep look at. This goes for blocking too. Where are the doors? Who's in the room? I go through my entire MS just to make sure the setting is well, set. (Ha!)
I make no stars here. I simply write what needs to be written. I mean, I'm almost done, so it would be lame to star and then go fill in the stars. You know?
5. Plot. This is where the bulk of my rewriting comes in. All those stars I've made? Yeah, now something has to be done about them. I have to actually write the new scenes that are needed to fill in the plot holes I've created (or have always had) in my main plot, subplots, character arc, emotional journey, etc.
This is the same way I critique. I'm looking for little things, well-rounded characters, authentic reactions/emotions, just enough setting, and a plot to keep me reading.
I pretty much mark everything I think feels off, or isn't quite as strong as I think it could be in each of the 5 areas above.
So if you don't want me to do that, maybe you'll leave your prize unclaimed...
Because the winner of the 25-page critique is: Josh Hoyt!
Email me your 25 pages at your convenience. (elanajohnson(at)gmail(dot)com)
Do you revise in layers? What are you looking for when you revise?
Oh! And don't forget about the live WriteOnCon event tonight! Literary agent Stephen Barbara and his client, Leila Sales will be discussing amazing things! 9 PM EST. Be there or be there.
You guys. I had the. Best. Time. last night. Full details coming on Monday -- complete with pics!
All righty, then. Here's round two of Ask Elana. I'm going to archive these on that handy "Ask Elana" page up there. Got a question for me? Ask away!
Question #1:
I attended a couple sessions about online marketing for authors at a writers' conference. Both speakers said aspiring authors don't necessarily need a blog, but they certainly need a website. I like the idea of a website, but I have no idea what to put on it. What should an aspiring author with no professional writing credits put on her website?
To which Elana said:
Websites are more static, and MUCH less work than blogs. I think even if you have no professional writing credits, you can still have a beautiful website.
You definitely need these pages:
HOME - a place for announcements, a welcome page, all your links to other pages go here.
ABOUT - this should be your bio, with a picture
BOOKS/PROJECTS - even if they're WiP's or you're querying, you should have a place where people (agents, the public, whoever) can learn about your work. Consider posting the query blurb, a picture and the first five pages. Be careful how much or your work you put in a public place.
LINKS - any links to your social networking sites. Or links you like
BLOG - a link to your blog if you have one
CONTACT - a place with a form or your email where people can contact you
And that's the basics. You want the website to look professional and tell about 1) YOU and 2) YOUR BOOKS. And you want people to be able to get through it quickly (so be brief) and have a way to contact you or continue to socialize with you later on.
Question #2:
I took a writing class recently but the things we were taught are in opposition to things I've read online...but the teacher was published and I'm not so I'm second guessing myself. In your manuscript how do you handle things that will be in italics in the final version? Do you do an underscore like _this_ or actually italicize? Which is right? Perhaps it's a nonissue with electronic files nowadays?
To which Elana answered:
Okay, my opinion on things is a bit unconventional. Yeah, I follow rules. I mean, everyone has to spell right, and use grammar to the best of their ability. I subscribe to a tense opening, and tight writing and a cliffhanger at the end of chapters. That kind of stuff.
But I go my own way with other stuff. My chapters are short and then long. I have many flashbacks. I write in both present and past tense, sometimes in the same sentence.
So my point is: YOU have to decide what YOU want to do. And then don't be afraid to do it. Yeah, use good grammar and create interesting characters. Other than that, I say "go for it!" And be YOU. Write what YOU think is going to make your story/characters the most compelling and unique that they can be.
Sorry, that's sort of a non-answer, but sometimes I think we let ourselves get folded into boxes. And I'm sort of an out-of-the-boxer.
And things that will be in italics in the final version, go in italics now. I believe underlining was done on typewriters because there wasn't a way to italicize, but with computers, there is.
And that's it for today! Got any questions? Agree/disagree with my answers? Lay it on me.
Okay, first things first. Winners.
THE DARK DAYS OF HAMBURGER HALPIN by Josh Berk: Jemi Fraser!
SCONES and SENSIBILITY by Lindsay Eland: Sarah Fisk!
PRINCESS FOR HIRE by Lindsey Leavitt: Kathryn Jankowski!
Yay to you guys! I'll be emailing you later today to share the good news. WriteOnCon gets better by the hour, so be sure to join us on July 1 for registration. Check out the website for full details.
Second things second: Tell the Truth Tuesday
1. I'm summering. Yes, it's a verb. No exercise (not that that's a stretch). No stressing. I pretty much lay around reading or watching TV. So sue me.
2. I may or may not be addicted to Dreyer's lemonade bars. So it's tell the truth Tuesday. Fine. I'm totally addicted and have put a limit on myself of one per day. Sucks.
3. I cannot tell a lie: I started writing again. New project. Goal: 50 pages + synopsis by July 12. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...
4. Just gotta say: WriteOnCon is gonna split the core with it's frawesomeness.
5. I have officially read 52 books this year. And it's only June. This is about 4 times as many books as I read last year. Rawr!
6. I am a total and complete loser. No, I mean it. Since I've been summering, I haven't been reading your blogs. But I'm going to. Really, really. It is tell the truth Tuesday, so I have to, or be like condemned or something.
What's your truth?
Uh, this is why I don't blog on Saturdays... Sorry! Lemon juice and flour and invisible ink! Ha!
THE DEAD-TOSSED WAVES prize package winner: Stephanie Thornton!
THE MAZE RUNNER prize package winner: Lea (YA Book Queen)!
Congrats! Email me with your mailing address so I can get your goods in the mail. (elanajohnson(at)gmail(dot)com) We'll discuss the personalization of your notebook (colors, fonts, name). And both of you be sure to let me know if you want the ebook or the critique.
I won't be around Monday, so have a great Memorial Day -- catcha on Tuesday!
GONE prize package winner: Alyssa Kirk!
ENDER'S GAME prize package winner: Jen Chandler!
Congrats! Email me with your mailing address so I can get your goods in the mail. (elanajohnson(at)gmail(dot)com) Jen, we'll discuss the personalization of your notebook (colors, fonts, name). And both of you be sure to let me know if you want the ebook or the critique.
And be sure to go check out my query letter for CONTROL ISSUES today on Matt's blog.
And dudes! ONE MORE CONTEST goes live today in one hour. And it's going to be...well, just come back and see, okay? Okay.
THE GIVER prize package winner: Elizabeth Briggs
UGLIES prize package winner: Shannon O'Donnell
Congrats! Email me with your mailing address so I can get your goods in the mail. (elanajohnson(at)gmail(dot)com) Shannon, we'll discuss the personalization of your notebook (colors, fonts, name). And both of you be sure to let me know if you want the ebook or the critique.
NEW CONTEST GOES LIVE IN ONE HOUR so come on back!
THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX prize package winner: Karen Amanda Hooper
FEED prize package winner: Holly Dodson
Congrats! Email me with your mailing address so I can get your goods in the mail. (elanajohnson(at)gmail(dot)com) Holly, we'll discuss the personalization of your notebook (colors, fonts, name). And both of you be sure to let me know if you want the ebook or the critique.
Woot!
New contest goes live at 10:00 AM (MST)... So come on back!
CANDOR prize package winner: Christine Danek!
AMONG THE HIDDEN prize package winner: Karen Lange!
Congrats! Email me with your mailing address so I can get your goods in the mail. (elanajohnson(at)gmail(dot)com) Karen, we'll discuss the personalization of your notebook (colors, font, name). And both of you, be sure to let me know if you want the ebook or the critique.
Wow!! Tons of entries. New friends. So glad you're all here!
Onto the winners:
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick -- Jamie Burch!
Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink -- T. Anne Adams!
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves -- Tracy Loewer!
The Naughty List by Suzanne Young -- Dahla Herrera!
Gone by Lisa McMann -- Carolina Valdez Miller!
Captivate by Carrie Jones -- Alyssa Kirk!
The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard -- Jaime Theler!
Email me (elanajohnson(at)gmail(dot)com) with your mailing address!
Congrats everyone!!
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And I just wanted to thank everyone who weighed in on why you decide to comment last Friday. Look for a post this Friday and what I learned from you on this topic. I was fascinated by the responses, and I think you will be too!
And how many exclamation points did I use today? Freak! I'm just way excited, all right? Sheesh. All right. Happy Monday!
