Seeing Red? The Joys of Editing.

Hello everyone, glad you could make it back.

Red, the mark of angry men? Red, the blood of thy enemies? Red, the destruction of dreams? Red, the cruelest color in the world?

Alright, I know all of that sound dramatic, but these are actual ways I've heard people describe red ink on a piece of work. Editing is one of the hardest things many writers face, myself included. So here's a some tips and tricks I've learned to make editing a little bit easier.

Read, Read, Read

Reading is one of your best tools when it comes to becoming a better writer. I cannot stress this one enough. It took me a while to learn it myself, but it makes a world of difference. Read similar things you're working on, read things that are the exact opposite than what your working on, read books that help with the craft of writing, just keep reading. The more you read, the better you'll get. 

One of my favorite books to read through to help improve my writing is On Writing from the one and only Stephen King. This book was released back in 2000, but it still stands up against the test of time. I've read through it multiple times and each time I take away something new. He walks you through his writing process, shows you how things evolved from first draft to finished product. It is a valuable resource and I recommend picking up a copy. I found mine here on Amazon. 

Red Ink-phobia

Oh red ink, what would we do without you? For many writers, the sight of red ink really does cause some form of fear or anxiety. I was the same way. I hated seeing red ink on my pages. It meant that I did something wrong. Well here's the thing, its just ink. The fact you messed up wont hurt less if its in purple or blue or pink or green or whatever other color someone else can write in. This take time, but I recommend looking at red ink as a chance to make things better and I'd recommend using red ink for your own corrections as well. This will make it so you can see passed the red to the things you need to actually work on. It's just ink, I promise it won't hurt you.

Different Editing Types

Editing is a process and a lot of people just assume they need to tackle everything at once. Now this method does work for some people, but for a majority, I found that it just is too much for people to handle. Breaking down the big project you need to break it down into smaller pieces. As a practice for myself, I follow the rule of the three stages of editing. 

The first stage of editing is called Macro-Edits. This one is where you tackle the big things. Rewrite and making big changes to the plot is what takes place during this stage. Character arc not quite working? Change it here? Thinking about cutting a chapter? Do that here.

The second stage is Line Edits.  Here is when you look for medium sized issues. Repetitions, continuity, accuracy; these are the types of things that you need to look at during this stage.

The third and final stage is the Copy Edits. Here is when you get really picky about everything. Look at each individual word, make sure every detail is right, make sure the spelling is correct and that the grammar is right. This is the stage that takes the longest and is often considered the most tedious. Well, tough, it has to get done right? 

I get this face a lot from my editors...

Find an Editor/Editing Service

Now if you're someone like me who really sucks at editing, you may want to consider finding someone who could do it for you. Now this can be really tricky. You need to find someone who is alright with showing you some tough love, no use comes from people who are just going to tell you everything is great, but this person can't be so tough that the break you down with every word. There needs to be a happy medium. More importantly, you need to trust this person. And you don't only need to have one, I have a whole group who looks at my work before my professional editor and agent gets to see it.

Another option is finding a place that offers editing services. Now this can be a little intimidating for people because of two things. One, who have no idea who these people are, generally, and two, it cost money.  You have to put in a lot of research in on seeking out these services. Luckily, I know a trusted one that I have worked with already.

DWL Services is a Utah based company that was started by an associate of mine. They offer three different levels of editing and their prices are better than some of the bigger companies. Yes, they are fairly new company, but they have some amazing editors on staff, many who've worked on my own work, who really know what they are doing. Check them out here and if they seem like a perfect match for you don't forget to tell them Dakota sent you. 

Editing is something that we writers can't get away. It would be amazing if we all could write a perfect thing on the first try, but that's not going to happen. So we're stuck with it. I know I'm not the best editor out there, so I've taken steps out there so I can still get my work out there. And I've been working on becoming a better editor, but like everything, its a work in progress. 

I know editing can be a nightmare, but just keep at it and don't forget to keep writing,

Dakota

The Devil Known as Writer's Block.

When your imaginary friends stop talking to you...

Hello everyone, welcome back.

Well, I'm sure you've guessed it. This post is about that thing every writer has to face sooner or later; Writer's Block.

Over the years I've fought against this devil more than once. Sometimes I broke through writer's block in under an hour and then there were times where I've been staring at a blank page for months on end (definitely not the best production wise). But this has given me time to figure out different ways that help break through this. Though not every method works for everyone, it doesn't hurt to try them. So I've put together my top ways of working through Writer's Block. Enjoy.

Method One: Get away for a bit.

Taking a walk

Now, this is, from what I've experienced, as one of the most debated methods for breaking writer's block there is. Some people say you should never stop writing, that you should force your way through it and go back and edit later. Others say that leaving the piece for awhile and going out with friends or playing a game or doing anything but write will help you recollect yourself and when you decide to go back to your piece you'll be able to write once more.

This is one that you need to try for yourself. See where you fall on the spectrum. For me, I've had both success and failure with this one. I was stuck on how to start one of my chapters for about a month once. I'd get a paragraph down, think I like it, then hate it, delete it, retype it, delete it, and repeat the process about a hundred times. Finally, I called it quits and went and binge watched all of Once Upon a Time and American Horror Story. After a few days of vegging on my couch, I went back to the manuscript and was able to finish the chapter in a single afternoon. But a few months later I ran into the same problem, tried the same process, and got nothing. No method is a hundred percent guaranteed to work. If they were there wouldn't be more to this list.

Method Two: Talk to somebody.

Chatting with a friend

So this method can easy or difficult depending on who you are as a person. Some people, like myself, have an entire group of people who have been there from day one on the adventure of writing. But then there are others who have no one. Sometimes people don't have the opportunity to have someone backing them the entire way. And sometimes people choose to keep their work private. I have an associate who does ghostwriting and some of the stuff she's had to write for that...well I wouldn't want anyone to know I was writing that either. Let's just say it involved incest, a skinless demon, and lots of rape.

Anywho, talking to someone is a way that you can get a new perspective. Even using someone as a soundboard helps you process your own thoughts. I can say I love talking to people when I get stuck, it really helps me having someone who can give me immediate feedback. If you're comfortable talking to someone chat them up and see if you can break through that pesky block that you're dealing with.

Method Three: Work on Another Project

New story, new chance

Work on another project? Am I crazy? No. No, I am not. Well, nothing's been proven anyways. But I'm serious, when you're having difficulty writing on your current work, try working on something else. Side projects are a blessing. I have multiple I work on and when I can't seem to write anything on my main project, I hop on over to one of them. It's like starting a new adventure.

So you work on your side project for a while and when you feel its been long enough, I generally go by chapters, you go back to your main project. I find when I go back to my main project, I see it with fresh eyes and I can get to work on it. This method is my favorite one and it is always the one I go for each time. I tell everyone to give it a try and you'll see, you won't only have one story but two or more by the time its over.




Well, everyone, those are my top methods of conquering the writer's block devil. Granted, there are hundreds of methods and everyone has their own way of doing things but it doesn't hurt to try new things. Do you have a favorite method? Any weird rituals you do to try and tackle your own devil? Let me know in the comments. I'd love to hear what other people do.

In the meantime, don't forget to keep writing,
Dakota