Update on Book 2, Star Fall
I am busy working on book 2! I finished the draft in November of 2024. My process is to do a full edit of the draft (and a 2nd if the initial edit resulted in substantial changes) and then use AutoCrit, a web-based editorial took, to review the characteristics of the writing.
Currently, I’m working on repetition, which is a useful tool for emphasis or for clarity. On the dark side of things, I will often use the same word in close proximity to another word simply because it’s rolling around in my head. Most of the time, there is nothing wrong with the repeat usage, but it’s less interesting and lazy. Like all of us, I have tendencies and that also shows up in frequent uses of the same word (or phrase) throughout the novel as I naturally go to the same well over and over (and over) again. The narrative will dictate some of this—for example, I use “ship”, “battle”, “planet”, and so on more than recommended but trying to be too cute with referring to the same thing in different ways can muddle the reader (and I already have built-in instances where the same object or person are referred to with different names). The process is interesting as I’m often confronted by a creative challenge on what, if anything, to do; sometimes I restructure the entire sentence, eliminate it or just remove the word, change or add a clause, or re-think the narrative structure around the use of the word. I’ve been in this editorial mode for almost a month, and it should be done in about a week or two.
Next up is pacing; my opening scope is 90%, which is quite snappy. However, I will review each of the slow-paced paragraphs though these do serve a structural purpose with scene setting, world building, strategic bits of backstory, and character introspection. Perhaps in a thriller, slow pacing at any point would drain the energy of the story but that’s not what I’m writing. I will also review long sections where there is no slow-paced section—am I for instance, rushing the narrative? Have I properly set the scene? Is it immersive or two-dimensional?
Next up is word choice with an emphasis on sentence starters. My initial score is over 92%, which means I’m in good shape but it’s worth taking a look. How many sentences start with pronouns or conjunctions? Excessive use of either could be boring if not lazy. What are the generic descriptions? I tend to be ok if generic terms are in dialogue but it depends on who’s doing the talking. I expect this part of the analysis to be quick.
My dialogue score is over 95% and for strong writing it’s over 99% but I will look at both. The latter consists of showing vs telling, use of adverbs, filler words, passive phrases, use of cliches, and redundancies. In my case, I may need to add an adverb here or there to liven things up as my natural writing style employs few of them. A cliché can be used effectively though I naturally tend to avoid them. Dropped filler words has been a problem; here and there, it can be effective, adding punch to the sentence, but that should be done sparingly, or the reader is likely to get annoyed if not irritated. Dropping a filler word might for example increase your score but the prose would suffer; it’s a BAD idea to game the score with bad writing habits.
My next edit (there are so many!) is dedicated to minor characters. Are these people merely props? Is that ok or should they have their own backstories, needs and wants? Are there characters that I can (and should) combine? The more significance a minor character has, which can be achieved through combining, the more I want to invest in his/her story.
At this point, I go back and do a full edit. I’m look at POVs, whether a scene should be added or deleted, plot progression, the emotional tenor, as well as a general review based on the prior changes.
If I’m happy at this point in the process, I turn it over to an editor. This serves two functions: I get a third party developmental edit to identify serious shortcomings and I get to take a break from the story. When I get the proposed changes back, I will have fresher eyes and perhaps a new perspective. The editor may have the novel for a few months. During this time, I will start blocking out book 3. And the process continues…
