Well, since I’m not ‘in the mood’ to write tonight, might as well talk about something relevant, like my editing process. I’ve got it down to a science, unfortunately it does take a long time, but I find it’s worth it. Phase I is using the AutoCrit Editing Software. The software analyses your text for overused words, repeated words, dialogue tag use, and initial pronoun use. This eliminates a lot, typically 10% of my words, getting rid of sentences with little meaning, and making the text read a lot cleaner. I can’t speak more highly of this software, if used properly. Initially, in my quest to remove all overused words, I was reconfiguring my sentences into Yoda-speak, so, it must be used with care.
Well, since I’m not ‘in the mood’ to write tonight, might as well talk about something relevant, like my editing process. I’ve got it down to a science, unfortunatelyit does take a long time, but I find it’s worth it. Phase I is using the AutoCrit Editing Software. The software analyses your text for overusedwords, repeated words, dialogue tag use, and initial pronoun use. This eliminates a lot, typically 10% of mywords, getting rid of sentences with little meaning, and making the textread a lotcleaner. I can’t speak more highly of this software, if used properly. Initially, in my quest to remove all overused words, I was reconfiguring my sentences into Yoda-speak, so, it must be used with care.
Now thatthe book’s been trimmed, it’s time to add, bringing the word count back up. Each chapteris outlined per section by character use, plot, and other pertinent information. This gives a clear ‘flow’ of the story, if it’smoving too fast or slow, if we don’t see characters for a chapter ortwo, which sections are linked back-to-back and which have gaps between thatcan be filled. This process allows for a lot of ‘eureka’ moments as you put the final pieces of the puzzle together. It’s these little ‘off screen’ moments with the characters that add heart to the book. Then, repeat Phase I. When is a story done? When you’vecrammed everything you can in therewithout making it cumbersome.
Phase III is combing the proof copy for typos.
Pop a hyperlink for AutoCrit in there, and you'll have a perfect post.You're going to (unintentionally) talk me into purchasing the blasted thing if you keep on!
The link was embedded in the AutoCrit name at the end of the post (yeah, I'm that high-tech) but I've labeled it now to make that clear. Thanks for stopping by!