Mills Edits

Self-editing is an important step and your first line of defense against ambiguity; the second most important step is hiring an editor! Seriously. Editing is just as an important part of publishing as the actual writing. Take your time: start with macro editing for big picture, continuity, plot holes. Then micro edit: go line by line for diction, readability.

A good friend was looking for some tips and I created this handy dandy worksheet for reference. Happy creating and self-editing!

And then feel free to contact me when you’re ready for your final edits. 🙂

I’m embracing living a cliché: I recently finished Story Engineering by Larry Brooks and it has changed my life as a creative. My fellow writer friend Amy recommended it because of the simplistic yet powerful force behind Larry’s teaching: he carefully deconstructs while simultaneously illuminating the elements of a story and reminds us that it isn’t necessary to be a tour de force like Stephen King to be a writer. 

I’ve always loved to write and tell stories whether it was through poetry or that one glorious time in high school when over a week of lunch periods I created an elaborate soap opera-like story with all of my friends as key players (each of the 5 people at the heart of the story begged to know “what happens to me??!”). But what I personally struggle with is the crafting of a coherent story (you know, like with major plot points, etc.), as I am no story structure genius. I don’t have an innate ability to sit down and pump out novels. (I love your brain and talent Stephen King, but Larry is right: You have helped foster the false perception that writers can just sit down and aimlessly wander into a story!) Larry has proven that the KEY to writing is to craft the essential elements of a story through outlining and plotting before ever sitting down to draft. How many of us can set out on a road trip with a certain destination in mind without a map or directions? Why would I have thought I could write a novel in that same way? 

Learn from my experience: I had a novel idea in 2010. Over the next couple of years, I wrote random scenes here and there. In 2014 I had set my mind on finishing my novel during NaNoWriMo. I got half way before being completely blocked. In 2015 & 2016 I tried to resurrect the story and flesh it out. It “kaboomed” (not in a good way, my fellow Parks & Rec fans!) and I finally scrapped it in 2018. Fast forward to being introduced to Story Engineering in 2019: I have finally faced the truth. My half of a novel cannot in any way be classified as a STORY. No plot points, no midpoint shift, not even a clear antagonist. It is a mishmash of scenes that I found hilarious or interesting but, in hindsight, are just ramblings—and not of the Jack Kerouac kind! 

Here I am, in my 30s with a family, and free time is scarce. I may not be able to resuscitate my old story, but as my friend Amy has so aptly put, giving myself the “freedom to fail” has opened the creative doors AND windows, so to speak. I have ideas flowing, and dreams of my stories animating and providing hope for others. It’s never too late: today is the day to call yourself a _________ (writer, painter, musician, whatever floats your boat)! Seize this day as the one to embrace your calling as an artist. 

Amy, you are so right! What’s the worst that can happen to me? I’m already not a published author. That doesn’t mean I’m not a writer! 

 (Big shout out and thanks to my friend Amy Schweitzer for introducing me to Larry’s work! Check out his website for even more tips and tricks at storyfix.com!) 

Edit. Edit. Edit. By whatever means you choose, whether it be Microsoft Track Changes, Google’s editor function, Adobe’s comment feature, read-and-listen, or the traditional red pen to hard copy: Do it! You won’t regret it!

Feel like I’ve hit you over the head yet? Because I think editing—to the extent possible within time constraints—is critical to communication. You’ve traveled the windy, and sometimes excruciating, path to publication; why not ensure your product is met with eagerness and left with longing? Give your audience and fellow humans the inspiration they need to ballast their own journey of communicating and creating!

If we, as presenters of spoken or written work, take the time to analyze our ideas, bolster our views, and consider the implications of our words, we reap the benefits of honest and genuine communication. The ultimate goal in any presentation of written or spoken word is to share ideas, experiences and commonalities in order to open up thoughtful exchange and discussion. Treat your audience’s time as if it is as valuable as your own: make the product that you disseminate count. Your audience has taken the time to listen to, read, or peruse your product and they want to know it was worth it.

Ultimate distillate: Utilize any and all resources available to ensure your product is taken seriously.

You’ve created your application packet for that dream job opportunity, you’ve written a speech for your brother’s wedding, or you’ve finished your manuscript of the next great American novel. Now what? You only get one chance to impress your audience, so the more time and care you take in the earlier stages of the writing process, the better. What’s the next step on this path to publication? After self-revisions,(1) you need another set of eyes: an editor.(2)

Maybe you read that last sentence with a bristle of pride. I’m here to tell you that you need to reconcile that pride of authorship with the fact that being the best you can be requires constructive criticism, and the humility to take it in stride. On this path to publication, presentation or pronouncement, you need to submit your writing through the refiner’s fire of editing. How else will that carbon-turned-jewel(3) bedazzle, without the scrutiny and feedback of a layperson?(4) 

Ernest Hemingway was a notorious self-editor. He would edit each word, writing and rewriting line-by-line.(5) Let that sink in. If the celebrated novelist, journalist and WWI ambulance driver would painstakingly edit each line of his manuscripts, written with his mechanical typewriter, what’s keeping you from editing your own work and passing it on to a trusted editor? Because language matters, my friends. I won’t argue the semantics of grammar here; let’s face it, the rules are ever-changing: grammar was created to frame spoken language into tangible bits and not the other way around. But how you express yourself and the words and structure you use to convey that message can create a sense of awe or of the odd. 

You’re feeling on top of the world now that you’ve completed your written draft. Think to yourself, will my audience walk away from my work feeling impressed or depressed? The only way to impress is to submit your creation to the rigors of editing.  

Keep at it! Writing and creating… and editing.  

Notes:
(1) Devise a system of your choosing, but it is wise to step away from the project. Even for a day or two so that you may approach the text with fresh eyes.
(2) In another post I will go into the details of why you need another person to review your work. Think of it this way: your brain basically autocorrects most of the mistakes you make. Your brain already knows what you want to say, so why would it waste any more energy on the fine details?
(3) Quite literally, if pencil is your weapon of choice.
(4) An individual that may or may not be an expert on the topic at hand. That’s the only way to truly know if your work is readable by a general audience.
(5) Ernest Hemingway on Writing (1999) Larry W. Phillips (Editor), Charles Scribner Jr. (Foreword).

I started this blog almost three years ago and just let it sit unformed in the ether. I only had two views total when I logged in last month.

Why revisit after three years? Because I’m revisiting a dream. My dream to be a freelance editor and proofreader full-time. Two years ago I took on proofing side projects in an attempt to make the transition, but became overworked and had to refocus my priorities on my family.

Here I am, a new mother, ready to give it another go. I want to give my daughter and my husband my best, and revamping my business will not only help me to live fully in the abilities I’ve been given, but also give me the flexibility to see to my family’s needs.

Thank you for taking the time to read my refreshed website. I hope you’ll take the time to drop a line and say hi!

~Kristen

Whichever type of writer you are, your final product will benefit from review by an outside party!

You’ve invested several hours into your work, not to mention the hours of preparation and research. You know exactly what you are trying to say, which means your brain will fill in any of the blanks that are in your piece. Fresh eyes are necessary to bring your attention to any grammatical errors, flow or logic issues. Another valuable resource of the proofreader is as fact checker – whether it be citations or plot points.

Computer programs cannot analyze content; in this way, professional services are invaluable!

~ Kristen

I don’t know if it is socially acceptable to post regarding “Throwback Thursday” other than on Facebook, but here is a flyer I created in 2011.

To view, click here:  Harvest

I had a lot of fun with this one, searching for Microsoft clipart (royalty free), and playing with shapes and colors. This was one of those projects where the final product turned out just like I had envisioned!