tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post4987067165080011630..comments2023-11-16T20:34:36.744-06:00Comments on ... MICHAEL DI GESU ... ... ... In Time ... ...: EDITING ... HOW TO MAKE THAT NOVEL SPARKLE ... PART IIMichael Di Gesuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-79077026584530081962011-01-21T11:50:57.968-06:002011-01-21T11:50:57.968-06:00Michael; you're busy editing your work and gen...Michael; you're busy editing your work and generously taking time out to share your thoughts with us. Thank you. <br /><br />Your comment on name tags interested me. I (of course) agree completely. It's a part of a bigger issue that concerns me a lot a the moment. If we go to the wider issue, I might write some exposition, but not explicitly say "Fred noticed..." or some other statement that makes it clear that it's Fred who is observing the action. <br /><br />The problem that arises is one of POV. The more we move away from explicitly stating who saw what, who said what or who did what, the more we get into the realm of ambiguous POV. <br /><br />I think readers are generally intelligent enough to not get lost in this kind of situation, but some critiques will indicate that there's a problem. <br /><br />That's where I sometimes start to get confused as a writer. Trying to do the right thing, but also trying to stand back from explicit use of name tags or other overly explicit and cumbersome devices of the same nature. <br /><br />Sorry - long comment alert!Tony Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06798586432645889182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-60573788046097900652011-01-20T10:06:36.091-06:002011-01-20T10:06:36.091-06:00I tend to fall at the other end on description, an...I tend to fall at the other end on description, and then need to bulk it a bit... well not bulk... that would be awkward, but add, so there is more imagery. I hear you on dialog though--my first drafts are always HUGELY dialog and I have to go in and pare down... especially cutting the tails... the reader needs SOME of the conversation, but not all of it.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-15237187645006300602011-01-20T09:37:50.240-06:002011-01-20T09:37:50.240-06:00Love your point about balance, Michael. That is a...Love your point about balance, Michael. That is a great way to step back and determine whether the writing is serving you well (and vice versa)! Good luck with ABNA and getting your edits done tonight—you're practically there.Linda Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18001433214194860481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-8995668367339134202011-01-19T22:45:59.901-06:002011-01-19T22:45:59.901-06:00Thanks for sharing your editing journey Michael. ...Thanks for sharing your editing journey Michael. Good tips all.<br /><br />......dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-21093696223022880712011-01-19T21:35:16.933-06:002011-01-19T21:35:16.933-06:00while laying in bed with my two year old earlier t...while laying in bed with my two year old earlier tonight I drafted a post (in my head) about cutting the use of description out of my novel. I, too, LOVE description and words. It keeps me from writing the action. (You know this all too well!) Words that aren't always appropriate in YA (no, not because they're dirty). Every thought, every feeling, every object around...blah, blah, blah. Great post! christyerica and christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13074820593371226159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-12032571691627200652011-01-19T15:45:01.166-06:002011-01-19T15:45:01.166-06:00I don't think there can be too much dialogue. ...I don't think there can be too much dialogue. I don't want to read half a book of description. Dialogue moves the story along faster.<br />CDAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-90856031760321906222011-01-19T15:35:51.903-06:002011-01-19T15:35:51.903-06:00You are SO right about the balance. I find that wi...You are SO right about the balance. I find that with practice (I've written way over a dozen novels) I almost start to FEEL the tedium of either too much narrative or too much dialogue, and I sense it's time to switch. Boooo, but I like adjectives, and I hate to slash them; I feel your pain.Carol Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092209912983783974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-6941336620644497562011-01-19T14:26:04.294-06:002011-01-19T14:26:04.294-06:00I agree, it is about balance. Thanks for the thoug...I agree, it is about balance. Thanks for the thoughts. Wish you the best!Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-18103220884237995492011-01-19T14:25:12.745-06:002011-01-19T14:25:12.745-06:00Great tips, will keep my eyes out for those issues...Great tips, will keep my eyes out for those issues in my MS. Good luck with the editing, I'm impressed you're getting through it so fast! I guess ABNA is a pretty good incentive :)<br /><br />RachRachael Harriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16764930101064527321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-1913124895774623912011-01-19T13:47:25.388-06:002011-01-19T13:47:25.388-06:00Great tips, Michael. It truly is all about balance...Great tips, Michael. It truly is all about balance. I like pepper, but a little goes a long way, right? I wish you magic in editing your novel and success in the ABNA. RolandRoland D. Yeomanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00338410857990551352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-4010343714427746152011-01-19T13:33:10.277-06:002011-01-19T13:33:10.277-06:00Bless the test readers!
Wish I had time to edit th...Bless the test readers!<br />Wish I had time to edit that fast.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-46824253480859758232011-01-19T13:23:26.532-06:002011-01-19T13:23:26.532-06:00Best of luck to you! I know you can do anything yo...Best of luck to you! I know you can do anything you put your mind to. great suggestions as well for revisions. Thanks for postingSummer Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122694893668693244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-24644991241913045372011-01-19T12:53:59.776-06:002011-01-19T12:53:59.776-06:00Keep at it! :) Great tips. I'm making a list...Keep at it! :) Great tips. I'm making a list!Donea Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15393184831994368021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-52839072652417287972011-01-19T12:43:55.894-06:002011-01-19T12:43:55.894-06:00As a reader (and writer!) I really like dialogue, ...As a reader (and writer!) I really like dialogue, so I don't mind when there's quite a bit, but, as you say, we should keep it all balanced :-)<br /><br />Good luck!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06181241692016438730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-54846310533118434402011-01-19T12:27:56.316-06:002011-01-19T12:27:56.316-06:00Good advice on both post Michael. Good luck with y...Good advice on both post Michael. Good luck with your edits.<br />Nancy<br /><a href="http://nrwilliams.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">N. R. Williams, fantasy author</a>N. R. Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-33468237921498011292011-01-19T12:18:49.712-06:002011-01-19T12:18:49.712-06:00Best of luck! You're right, it's all about...Best of luck! You're right, it's all about balance. You'll be done soon and celebrating!Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-36209990755447082932011-01-19T11:38:37.807-06:002011-01-19T11:38:37.807-06:00Good luck with your editing! Finishing by tomorrow...Good luck with your editing! Finishing by tomorrow night--wow. It sounds like you're making a lot of progress! :)<br /><br />Thanks for the editing tips!Golden Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721520451194318436noreply@blogger.com