It’s nearing the end of September and summer is “officially” over with, and I have finally reached the revision stage of my novel, The Bet. Since my last post, which was written soon after we closed up the cottage, put the intrepid pontoon in mothballs for the winter, and moved back into our humble little dwelling here in beautiful northern Illinois, I have managed to bring the first draft of my novel to an end. For better or worse, the thing is “done,” and now rests and awaits some major revising and editing—two things that I’m very much looking forward to.
I’ve been reading quite a bit lately about techniques and various tips for editing and revising that seem to work for those who have shared them on various blog sites. The one thing that each seems to have in common with all others is that the task of editing and revising is arduous, to say the least, and calls for close and careful reading and examination of each and every word and sentence in order to make the prose read so well that the reader will have no doubt about what is intended.
Without a doubt, it is paramount to make our characters come to life and behave in ways that are believable, realistic, and memorable. The same is true of settings, plot, and conflicts. Glancing back through my first draft, I’m not too disappointed with my characters and settings, but I do know that plot and conflict elements will need some heavy-duty revision to get my story standing up before it ever sees the light of publication. Even so, I’m confident that I’ve told an interesting story (one that is based on an actual experience I shared way back in the early 70s), and that with some concentrated efforts these next couple of weeks, I will have an even better tale to share with all those eager readers out there!
The journey of this story to where it sits at this writing began last November with the challenge of NaNoWriMo. During the busy month, I was able to reach my word goal, but the novel itself was far short of being complete. To bring it to completion by summer’s end was my goal, and I have done so. Typing THE END at the bottom of the final page of the final chapter was a refreshing thing—symbolic of so many good feelings of having reached the finish line at the end of the marathon, even though I know darned well that there remain oh, so many holes in the novel that will need that careful and critical revising and editing. But that’s the stage I’m about to step into and move it from dull and blah to something memorable and good (my personal goal).
At the conclusion of NaNoWriMo, because I reached the magic word count in time, I qualified for a discount on the writing software known as Scrivener. It has made all the difference in my whole approach to writing now, and all of my writing (this blog included!) is done within Scrivener. It will be another busy journey these next few weeks as revising and editing take center stage, and I am eager to get started now and comforted to know that Scrivener will be right along with me, helping to get the job done.
Related articles
- Writing + Editing & Getting Ready for NaNoWriMo (melorajohnson.wordpress.com)
- Why All Writers Should Care About NaNoWriMo (plottersandpantsers.wordpress.com)
- NaNoWriMo Is Coming! (again) (justaddstory.wordpress.com)
- Head colds, changes, and trying to write (saphirdrachen.wordpress.com)
- Writing Novels (booksandbark.wordpress.com)
Down Many Roads... 
I agree with you on Scrivener. Hands down the best piece of writing software I’ve ever used.
Long live Scrivener! Would enjoy hearing from you, Dave, on how you best use Scrivener. Please share any comments or “tips” when you have a chance. Thanks again.
Oh, yes, typing the words ‘The End’ is a fantastic feeling, isn’t it? I also found that reading those same words after completing my second draft was equally pleasing. And I love Scrivener!
Thanks for stopping by my site. I appreciate it!
Hi, Carrie! I enjoyed finding your site earlier this morning, in a break from my editing of this novel-in-progress. I’m having lots of fun puttering about with it as well as discovering new writer friends like you out there who are having the same kinds of fun doing what we love doing. I appreciate your “visit.”
Are you on Twitter?
I was on Twitter a while back, but strictly Facebook now. https://www.facebook.com/MarkA9?ref=name
I don’t use my personal FB site much, mostly my public page, but I tend to find Twitter more worthwhile. But all of them can be a time suck if you let them!