Crossroads of sorts

[Venusian Broon]

Originally Posted by Coragem

Personally, I would edit now and pass it to your reader. And then I would edit it all over again after a break, with the reader's feedback to inform the second edit.

I don't know what your goals are, but I think most of us want our writing to be of a standard with the best out there. Perhaps there are rare geniuses out there, but for me reaching a high standard means editing and editing again.

Coragem

I don't know anyone who claims they just write out perfect prose on their first draft, but that definitely is not me.

I suppose the thing here is, I think I'd rather edit a full draft of the complete work because then it's much easier to see what's missing and what is superfluous, as all of the unknowns have been set down in some form, so that I can really concentrate on focusing hard on getting the best possible language for the ideas on the page.

The past 3-4 months writing part 1 is the end result of two years of work* on research, character and plot development. So I'm fairly confident that nothing major is going to alter plot-wise; I have the 90-odd scenes all described in a treatment, each with a paragraph about who is there, where they are and what will happen

However Coragem, perhaps you are swinging me round to doing a rough patched-up edit and sending it to my poor suffering beta reader (or more commonly known as Dad.)

*Got to pay the bills, Time is really my enemy...

[crystal haven]

I tend to edit as I go along. Before I start the next chapter I will read and edit the previous chapter, and then carry on writing.

My first novel was completed this way, and then given to someone to read, and then I edited again. Then put it out of sight for a bit.

The sequel was written straight through without editing at all - something I would never choose to do again. I felt I had finished, and going right back to the beginning and editing before giving it to someone to read was hard work, and seemed very time consuming.

I'm not sure that answers your question, but it is how I write.

[Venusian Broon]

Originally Posted by crystal haven

I'm not sure that answers your question, but it is how I write.

Cheers CH,

I'm an invertrate planner, as I believe a bit of clear thinking before starting something is better than rushing off with the first method to hand and discovering problems months down the line.

Everyone's experiences and advice are fascinating and very illuminating. (Just got to figure out what makes most sense for me.)

[Glen]

No question - plough on and finish, even though ploughing on is harder.

Editing now is the equivalent of alphebatising your cereal boxes. It is getting between you and finishing the best book ever written.

Editing will be easier when you are further away from the work - what works well and what doesn't work will be much easier to see.

Just my opinion :0)

[Warren_Paul]

The only reason I suggested editing it now was because you said it was standalone from the rest of the book, like Part One and Part Two of my book is. I could technically treat them as two separate books, and so send them out separately to beta readers.

If you think the first part won't completely make sense without the rest of the book, then finish the whole book first maybe?

[Venusian Broon]

Originally Posted by Warren_Paul

If you think the first part won't completely make sense without the rest of the book, then finish the whole book first maybe?

The plot is quite standalone and can be read as a seperate work I suppose; but quite a lot of what is discussed and found is only explained in parts 2,3 and 4. And I haven't introduced the final major character or my take on quite a few big ideas.

I had originally imagined the story starting where part 2 is now - but found that to explain the characters and parts of the story I needed a introductory 'prequel' as it was becoming clear that my original idea of having flashbacks was spiralling out of control.

I'm dithering now. I should just stop thinking about it and come back to it fresh!