The last stages of preparing a book can be hard work. Revision is more than fixing typos and inserting a missing Oxford Comma. Hopefully, revisions improve the book, but combing through the text can seem like a never-ending task. I call this writer’s recursion: “Each rewrite of a manuscript will be found in need of rewrite by the writer, due to the improvement of the writer’s craft rendered by each rewrite.”
Reading a manuscript out loud can help. When a passage doesn’t roll easily on the tongue or “seems off,” then the scene needs revising. I tend to stop and work on the scene until it is on par with the rest of the book. As a reader, hitting “clumsy” passage hangs me up, causing me to lose the thread.
After revising, the book will need another look for errors introduced in the revision. I find I leave errant words no longer needed because of the new structure. This may be a time for fresh eyes because if you are like me, you can read an incorrect sentence, make the correction between the page and your eyes, and never notice the error.
When I was putting the polishing touches on Members of the Cast, my wife read it three times, in Kindle form, making notes. The final time through, we talked about the same “questionable” phrases, and I decided to let them stand. Ruth is an easy person, and as long as I was happy, she was happy.
Then came that moment: “This is good.” As good as writer George Beckman can do. Is it perfect? Of course not. But it moves, the plot works, and the characters are endearing. (reviewer’s words, not mine) At this point, when birthing a novel, it is time to turn to the publishing process.
If you haven’t read Members of the Cast, go to the link and “Look Inside.” Hopefully, you will agree, “This is good.” Perhaps, good enough to put on your Kindle or to earn a place on your bookshelf. *smile*
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