BLOG

FOUR GUIDELINES FOR REVISIONS

As I work with editors, I’m learning a few strategies to guide revisions. Here’s a brief rundown:

  1. DETAILS

This doesn’t mean getting microscopic. I have to justify whatever I include, consider its relevance. It helps to ask two questions: Why here? Why now? (Actually, these are terrific questions to ask about every part of a story.)

  1.  LINEARITY

Action is followed by reaction, not the reverse.

An example from my book, JEWEL OF THE GODS:

Old version: Nyada cried out at the blood oozing from the Elder’s forehead. “Gods help us, she’s dead!”

New version: Nyada smoothed back the strands of hair hanging over Sister Saule’s forehead. Her fingers came away smeared with blood. “Gods help us,” she cried. “She’s dead!”

  1.  PACING

I have a tendency to write lean, which can make for a rushed telling. I’m learning to slow down and look deeply into my story. Every scene has a purpose and needs to be developed fully. Sandra Scofield’s THE SCENE BOOK (link below) is the best book I’ve found for ensuring your scenes contain the necessary elements.

  1. GOAL, MOTIVATION, CONFLICT

I was familiar with this concept, but composing a GMC chart for every character gave me clarity and insight that really helped me stay on point. With a GMC printout to guide me, I’m less likely to have a character speak or act in ways that don’t ring true—no more “out of character” moments. One editor recommended Debra Dixon’s excellent book, GOAL, MOTIVATION & CONFLICT (link below), and I can’t thank her enough.

There you have it. Four easy steps to help with revisions. I hope you find them useful.

***

Links to books mentioned:

Sandra Scofield, THE SCENE BOOK, A Primer for the Fiction Writer

Debra Dixon, GMC: GOAL, MOTIVATION and CONFLICT: The Building Blocks of Good Fiction

Thanks for reading!

THE ABC BOOK CHALLENGE – N

FAVORITES

A NATURAL HISTORY OF DRAGONS, Marie Brennan.

An alternative Victorian era “memoir” of Isabella, Lady Trent, a renowned dragon naturalist. This book, the first of five, covers her early life and  struggles to be taken seriously in her pursuits. Not a lot of dragon action, if that’s what you’re into, but Brennan delivers with a lively, witty account of one woman’s passions and adventures. Includes fabulous drawings by Todd Lockwood.

NIGHTSHADE CITY, Hilary Wagner.

I’m not usually a fan of talking animals, but Wagner hooked me with this tale of intelligent rats whose once peaceful underground colony has been overtaken by a ruthless dictator. The story centers on Vincent and Victor Nightshade, two brothers who join a rebel army. Well-conceived characters (I especially like the inclusion of strong females), atmospheric, and action-packed. An engrossing read, on a par with REDWALL and WATERSHIP DOWN. First of a trilogy.

WANT TO READ

THE NAME OF THE WIND Patrick Rothfuss.

A high fantasy “memoir” about Kvothe , a notorious wizard. Over the course of three days, he tells the story of his life to a Chronicler. The Name of the Wind encompasses the first day of his recitation; there are several follow-up books.

 

NEVERWHERE, Neil Gaiman.

After he stops to help a girl bleeding on a London sidewalk, Richard Mayhew discovers an underground world of monsters and saints, murderers and angels, knights in armour and pale girls in black velvet. According to the blurb, it promises to be both “eerily familiar and utterly bizarre.” One of NPR’s Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books of All Time.

Any others you’d recommend?

Thanks for reading.

THE ABC BOOK CHALLENGE – M

Magic abounds in this batch of books.

FAVORITES

MASTER OF CROWS, Grace Draven.

Draven writes wonderful fantasy romances and this one is no exception. Lush and compelling.

Silhara of Neithis a desperate sorcerer. The god called Corruption has invaded his mind, seducing him with promises of limitless power. As Silhara seeks to destroy the god that wants to fully possess him, a conclave intent on exposing his defilement sends him an apprentice. Martise is determined to succeed in her spying, for it means freedom from the mage priests who’ve enslaved her.

Of course, nothing goes well, and the two play a cat-and-mouse game that unexpectedly turns into love. I especially enjoyed how Silhara changes his perception of the woman he knows is a spy and how they learn to trust each other. There are several follow-up novellas too.

THE MERMAID’S SISTER, Carrie Anne Noble.

A wondrous tale of two sisters, Clara and Maren, who lives with Auntie, their hedgewitch guardian. Auntie says Clara was left by a stork, Maren arrived in a shell. and their best friend, O’Neill was found beneath an apple tree. Quite a beginning!

When Maren discovers shimmering scales just beneath skin, Auntie declares the girl is changing into a mermaid. She must be taken to the sea or die. But no fantastic journey is without its pitfalls. Ensnared by an evil troupe of traveling performers, Clara and O’Neill race against time to save themselves and the slowly-weakening Maren. A charming story of love, family, adventure, magic and self-discovery. Be aware: it starts out a bit slow.

MORTAL HEART, Robin La Fevers.

The third book in a trilogy called His Fair Assassin, a series about murderous nuns in 18th century France.

This time around, we follow Annith, who has watched her sisters at the convent carry out their dark dealings in the name of St. Mortain and is eager to serve Death. But the abbess wants her to be the next Seeress, a fate that means being forever trapped in the catacombs of the convent. Unwilling to accept that destiny, Annith strikes out on her own.

Although not quite as strong as Grave Mercy or Dark Triumph, whose main characters were more compelling, it’s a worthy end to the trilogy. Be sure to read the first two books before tackling this one so you have a firm grasp on the world you’re entering.

WANT TO READ

THE MAGICIAN’S GUILD, Trudi Canavan.

When the magicians of Imardin gather to purge the city of undesirables, they encounter an enraged girl who hurls a stone at the hated invaders, penetrates their magical shield, and flees. Now the Guild is desperate to find this untrained mage before she destroys herself and her city. Reviews on Goodreads are mixed, but it sounds like a decent read and I love the cover.

That’s it for now. Any others you’d recommend?

Thanks for reading.