Write with the door shut until you have a very good finished product. Don't show anybody anything until it is prim and proper. Share first with one person, your Important Reader, who is most likely your spouse or partner, or possible a mentor or colleague. Celebrate the completed project and put the draft in a drawer for six weeks untouched. Go to work on next project.
Conduct the revision with the door closed. Areas of primary concern and concentration include:
1. unclear pronouns - make sure it is absolutely clear who is antecedent
2. unnecessary adverbs - adverbs are not your friend - minimilist usage
3. recurring elements? identify - repeat - expand upon - make symbolic
4. keep asking "What do I mean?" Can I "show" this without saying it?
5. check the pace - Where will the reader get bored or confused?
Share your revised version with five or six important readers, requesting them to apply the same criteria. Involve only those who will give you honest feedback and suggestions, or tell you when something doesn't work. Revise once more with particular attention to those areas of your own weakness:
J B's supplemental checklist for revision: "The Gospel Chariot"
1. vernacular? How would they say it back home?
2. Biblical accuracy? Is this the best archtype from scripture?
3. punctuation & sentence length ? effective use of the dash symbol
4. point of view? Am I still telling this "eye witness" or omniscient?
5. respect? Am I alienating too many readers - due to "blasphemy"
No comments:
Post a Comment