Jeri Smith-Ready

Really Hard Copy

Yesterday I finally took a look at the printed pages of my vampire series proposal--roughly 70 double-spaced pages, four chapters. I hadn't thought it needed many revisions before sending it to my agent.

But holding it in my hand versus gazing at it on the computer screen made a huge difference. I saw so many unnecesary words and places where the characters didn't "sound like themselves."

For a few moments I despaired. This sucks, I thought. What made me think I could write this kind of book? Then I got to work, slashing and cutting like my blue ballpoint was a machete, and I felt much better.

One of my not-so-guilty secrets is that I love revising. It's not as romantic as that hyperventilating rush of the first draft, but it holds more magic for me, figuring out a way to chip out all the parts that aren't the story and build from there. It appeals to my analytic nature, I guess.

Anyway, today's writing tip is: Always edit from a hard copy. And try not to burn it in a fit of self-loathing. It'll get better.

• posted by Jeri @ 6:59 AM
• 4 comments