tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post4554609225423981257..comments2024-03-21T17:22:02.012-05:00Comments on Musings of an Elf: My Step by Step Editing ProcessChristine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-84498061935752041782016-09-10T13:04:00.822-05:002016-09-10T13:04:00.822-05:00Oh you! *blushes*
I love my tablet for that, yes!...Oh you! *blushes*<br /><br />I love my tablet for that, yes! Reading on the computer screen is just torture. Printing it out would be even better! I always want to do that buuut, it'd take a looot of ink to print out my books. XD<br />Exactly! Sometimes I'll read something and be like, "Wait? *I* wrote that? I have no memory of this!" Lol.<br /><br />Well, I love your brain too. So we shall be creepy together!<br /><br />Retyping was great! It was actually kinda fun AND crazy helpful. And you put into words what I couldn't! It puts us into writer mode instead of reader mode. YES.<br /><br />Thank you! It was fun having a copy I didn't fear just totally making a disaster in. XD And I try to save each draft too. I can't bear deleting anything!<br /><br />Teehee. You were an AMAZING beta-reader! ^_^<br /><br />I need to try some chai it sounds like! I've really only tried chamomile. I keep meaning to go to the grocery store and find some different flavors to attempt. Vanilla chai sounds delish!<br /><br />I do love my playlists! I like choosing a "flavor" for each story so all the music sounds kinda the same and immerses me in the storyworld. It makes me much more creative!<br /><br />There will always be those days with writing I suppose. Just comes with the title. But hey, we're writers. We feed on pain! ;D<br /><br />AAAHHHH! Thank you, Tracey! I'm so happy you liked it.<br /><br />Oh, oh! I'm loving this idea of keeping documents for characters and storyworld and updating them. I do tend to make documents for character bios, and sometimes the storyworld and things. But I'm reeeally bad about not updating them after I've written the thing. But I need to, because things drastically change from the plotting to writing/editing stage! So you're inspiring me to be more organized about it! And leaving yourself notes while first drafting is genius and something I should desperately do! Thank you for sharing. These are wonderful ideas!<br /><br />Thank you again!!! ^_^Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-13396418275704388752016-09-05T15:16:37.421-05:002016-09-05T15:16:37.421-05:00A post about someone's editing process. A post...A post about someone's editing process. A post about YOUR editing process. *swallows whole*<br /><br />I wish I could do that first step the way you do it--reading the story on a tablet, because reading on a computer screen is not my favorite, either. Maybe I should print off a first draft one of these days...<br />(But I totally get not remembering stuff that happens in your own story! That's why it can be so fun to reread it, because even if the major events aren't new, sometimes the wording or the exact way things went feels new. XD)<br /><br />Haha, I love how you formatted first! I can see how that would help make it easier to edit, having everything cleaned up beforehand. (I love your brain.) (...That sounded creepy. o.o)<br /><br />Retyping!!! I've done that a couple of times too, and as time-consuming as it is, I find it so helpful. Doing it puts me back in writer mode, instead of a more passive reader mode. It's easier to reword/rewrite/change things because I trick myself into entering my creative zone. I'm glad it worked for you too! :D<br /><br />The test copy is such a great idea! I have random snippets saved in folders, pieces of story that I changed or cut out, but wasn't sure if I'd need to go back to the original version of it... (You know I save every draft, too, but some things change multiple times in the same draft, so I like to keep those bits and pieces sometimes.)<br /><br />I see my name there in the Google Docs screenshot! :D *feels a little bit famous*<br /><br />Coffee. Tea. So much yes. (Especially the tea. Over the last year, I've fallen in love with chai, specifically vanilla chai, and most recently Red Dragon Spice Chai. YUMMINESS.) Funky socks and a poodle are also awesome!<br /><br />I still love the way you make playlists for each story! I need to do that! I haven't used my mood playlists in forever, and I think it would be fun to get back to that...but having music for a specific STORY sounds like it would be a good inspiration for when the words are sparse.<br /><br />"Wat r werds," indeed, though. XDDD Sometimes editing is PAINFUL.<br /><br />I loved reading about your whole process, Christine! So cool that you broke it down into steps like that so share with us. :D You're making me excited for the next time I reach the editing stage.<br /><br />Oh, that question about our own editing... Hmm... Well, I mentioned retyping. I also like to keep a document (or several) on characters and storyworld, and I add to it as a write/edit. So during edits, I'll refer back to those, flesh out what I need to, and make sure what's actually in the story is consistent and everything. The comment feature on Word is a lifesaver! Even while first drafting, I leave a trail of notes behind me--and when I'm reading over the manuscript, I make hundreds of notes to keep track of what I all want to change. They also serve as handy bookmarks for bigger issues I need to come back to later.<br /><br />LOVE YOUR POOOOOOSTS. This was awesome!Tracey Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-52918217129386501142016-08-31T20:43:19.728-05:002016-08-31T20:43:19.728-05:00Oh gracious! Trust me, it is NOT. These were just ...Oh gracious! Trust me, it is NOT. These were just the steps when I DID edit. Much of the time I was totally whining, eating, and procrastinating. XDChristine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-36088082749310076352016-08-31T19:20:24.599-05:002016-08-31T19:20:24.599-05:00Your process is so professional, I usually whine, ...Your process is so professional, I usually whine, eat, watch a move then maybe do a page edit.Skye Hofferthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02385765274513034927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-73196401992585280722016-08-29T21:22:51.649-05:002016-08-29T21:22:51.649-05:00Awwww! I'm honored you like my method! And you...Awwww! I'm honored you like my method! And you absolutely WILL finish a book. Just keep plugging along. It's gonna happen, I promise! (If only life realized we have novels to write and stopped getting in the way, am I right? Silly life.)<br /><br />WUT. That is so funny!!! XDDD Sock twins!<br /><br />Lol! The accountability factor CAN be scary. Especially when your beta-readers are threatening you with frying pans and things. XD Okay, okay. Really, it's pretty great! It certainly helps getting to that finish line, with cheerleaders along the way!<br /><br />YES. Google Docs is awesome for that. I love how simple it makes sharing files.Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-45773456546848996312016-08-29T20:37:34.137-05:002016-08-29T20:37:34.137-05:00I haven't edited anything yet (or even finishe...I haven't edited anything yet (or even finished a novel...) but this post makes me really excited for that next step! I like your method and might try it if I ever finish a book. :D<br /><br />I have those same crazy socks!!!!! Whaaaa??????<br /><br />Beta Readers, I need them. I'm also a horrible procrastinator, and I might be slightly terrified of the accountability factor...<br /><br />I've used Google Docs for my stories for about three years, and I love it! Especially for the sharing factor. My friends and I wrote a sort of RPG story using it and it worked out great because we could just go on and write our part and everyone could see it.<br /><br />~Hannah~Hannah Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11637310338447963030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-50643137974294251992016-08-28T14:14:27.005-05:002016-08-28T14:14:27.005-05:00Awww! *blushes* Thank you! Well, I spend ridiculou...Awww! *blushes* Thank you! Well, I spend ridiculous amount of hours on Photoshop putting them together. Eheh. Just finding pictures on the internet and tossing them all together and things. BUT. Lately I've taken to Pixlr (because I don't have Photoshop on my new laptop #sadness). Pixlr.com is like a FREE Photoshop just right there on your browser. It's got all the tools and everything. It's pretty great!Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-27778766672585169262016-08-28T13:26:54.428-05:002016-08-28T13:26:54.428-05:00Okay, I just NEED to ask (I forget if I have alrea...Okay, I just NEED to ask (I forget if I have already) - your book covers are GORGEOUS, how do you make them?<br /><br />Ellie | <a href="http://ontheothersideofrealitynew.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">On the Other Side of Reality</a><br />Eleanorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08016450998401859766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-60948580815648928552016-08-25T22:04:13.945-05:002016-08-25T22:04:13.945-05:00D'awww! Thank you for saying so! I'm glad ...D'awww! Thank you for saying so! I'm glad you like it. ^_^Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-39458854385008586502016-08-25T22:03:30.802-05:002016-08-25T22:03:30.802-05:00Awww, thanks! ^_^
LOL. It's so CRAZY we'r...Awww, thanks! ^_^<br /><br />LOL. It's so CRAZY we're both doing blog changes this week. Braintwinning to the max!<br /><br />I liked my old design, too, but I really love this new look. I'm excited toooo!!!Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-60452326220438083982016-08-25T19:20:09.704-05:002016-08-25T19:20:09.704-05:00Well I love the further-tweaked things! :D I keep ...Well I love the further-tweaked things! :D I keep tweaking my blog this week too. XD We're so funny... and redoing our blogs the same week too--braintwinsies! :P BUT JUST ALL THE THINGS! IT'S SO EXCITING! I loved your old look too but this one's exciting and just... your blog is always so pretty! ^_^ I'm excited. :DDeborah O'Carrollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05969896655321575875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-8997541829828494532016-08-25T18:10:21.668-05:002016-08-25T18:10:21.668-05:00By the way - I love your new blog design! It's...By the way - I love your new blog design! It's so fresh, clean, and pretty. :)<br /><br />~LizzyLizzyhttp://journaloftwodolls.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-43526893668681182312016-08-25T15:19:31.676-05:002016-08-25T15:19:31.676-05:00YAY!!! I'm so glad you think so. Thank you!YAY!!! I'm so glad you think so. Thank you!Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-169962756824776202016-08-25T15:18:52.046-05:002016-08-25T15:18:52.046-05:00*FLAILS AROUND* Thank you!!! I agree, it's jus...*FLAILS AROUND* Thank you!!! I agree, it's just a blast getting inside scoops to other's writing methods. That'd be awesome if you did one about editing. :D<br /><br />*le gasp* You retype your stories too? *highfives back* THAT'S AWESOME. I think it really helped force me into giving it a more thorough edit and seeing everything with fresh eyes.<br /><br />*squeaks* Thank you! I'm really happy with it. ^_^Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-45294793712302334502016-08-25T15:16:22.893-05:002016-08-25T15:16:22.893-05:00I did! I think I just finished for the most part. ...I did! I think I just finished for the most part. I keep tweaking things to death. XD<br /><br />Clean and whimsical and official is precisely what I was going for! I'm glad I did my job. And I'm VERY glad it has my Celti's stamp-of-approval. ^_^Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-1158524695577926682016-08-25T15:14:33.262-05:002016-08-25T15:14:33.262-05:00Aww, thank you! On both accounts! :D
Oh wow, we d...Aww, thank you! On both accounts! :D<br /><br />Oh wow, we do have a lot of similar methods! I love how you print it out and use sticky-note flags and notebooks. You're so organized! And that's so cool you retype everything as well. But YES. I don't think I'd ever be able to do it without the dual-window feature. o.o<br /><br />Google Docs is really fun for that, yes! I found it so useful. And also just fun to commerce with all my beta-readers there.<br /><br />Hahaha! I think they heighten our creativity. ;DChristine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-38455196993985234162016-08-25T15:10:42.806-05:002016-08-25T15:10:42.806-05:00Thank you so much! I'm quite happy with it mys...Thank you so much! I'm quite happy with it myself. ^_^Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-48212724874526040872016-08-25T12:08:43.668-05:002016-08-25T12:08:43.668-05:00I LOVE THIS, CHRISTINE!!! It's so much fun see...I LOVE THIS, CHRISTINE!!! It's so much fun seeing other writer's editing processes! I should write a post like this ... (I did one inspired by it, but that was just about my progress with the story. Doing one about editing it would be fun! *nods*)<br /><br />ACK YOU RETYPED THE WHOLE THING! I though I was the only weird one who entirely retyped stories when editing XD (even though I was retyping a novella and you were retyping a novel and THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE *is in awe*). *highfives you* <br /><br />AND YOUR BLOG'S NEW LOOK. SO much prettiness, I love it! Great job!Savannah Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16668452024211579085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-55223070499271405712016-08-25T09:38:47.972-05:002016-08-25T09:38:47.972-05:00CHRISTINE. The new blog design is BEAUTIFUL! Wow, ...CHRISTINE. The new blog design is BEAUTIFUL! Wow, I love it so much - I think it's definitely a huge improvement. :D Lovely. <3Emily Drownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15072107706844583472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-44610212508612722902016-08-24T17:37:12.068-05:002016-08-24T17:37:12.068-05:00EEEP you changed your blog look! :D It's so......EEEP you changed your blog look! :D It's so... white and clean and new. O_O And it's a sort of... whimsy/official look. :D I LIKE. ^_^ And the book/flowers/teacup and the lovely whimsical swirly font. Yus. *twirls around in the new open look* It has the Celti-stamp-of-approval. :DDeborah O'Carrollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05969896655321575875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-26554129306196284132016-08-24T15:51:38.552-05:002016-08-24T15:51:38.552-05:00You're welcome! =)
I love your blog's new...You're welcome! =) <br />I love your blog's new look, by the way! Micaiah Saldañahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11429189684296844482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-17737898212418739792016-08-24T14:04:43.382-05:002016-08-24T14:04:43.382-05:00I loved getting to take a tour of your editing pro...I loved getting to take a tour of your editing process, Christine! Also, in case I haven't said it yet, CONGRATULATIONS ON FINISHING EDITING!!! *throws confetti*<br /><br />Your process is pretty similar to mine!<br />I start with a break and then a read-through (preferably printed so I can write out my notes and cover the thing in colorful sticky-note flags). I tend to keep a notebook for those notes and any fresh ideas as well, that I don't have room to put in the printed copy. I only recently started using the dual-window thing for retyping though, which makes things SO much easier. Before, I would have the printed copy beside me and consult it when retyping scenes. <br />For the most part, that's what my editing process looks like, though it adapts with each WIP.<br /><br />The comment thing in Google Docs is really cool. I didn't know you could do that... <br /><br />I wholeheartedly agree that funky socks are a great help when editing. :)Jameson C. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14273414704624735740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-40272240683306095232016-08-23T19:12:20.573-05:002016-08-23T19:12:20.573-05:00Thank you! ^_^
Awww, that is so sweet. And I'm...Thank you! ^_^<br />Awww, that is so sweet. And I'm happy I've helped the dread of editing ebb at least a little. You're gonna be a rockstar with it! *fistpump*<br /><br />Funky socks for creativity and puppies for companionship are the best editing tools. *nod, nod* Hey, any hot (and caffeinated) drink works! ;DChristine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-47373360358554798402016-08-23T17:11:46.951-05:002016-08-23T17:11:46.951-05:00Great post, Christine! Now I (a.) want to read Bur...Great post, Christine! Now I (a.) want to read Burning Thorns, (b.) am not dreading editing as much, and (c.) highly agree that funny socks and puppies are needed. However, I'm not a coffee or tea fan, I usually stick with hot chocolate. I'm boring, I know. =)Micaiah Saldañahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11429189684296844482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-91473822066565604022016-08-23T12:07:53.859-05:002016-08-23T12:07:53.859-05:00Lol. It really wasn't so bad. I think long pro...Lol. It really wasn't so bad. I think long processes just come with editing. But yes, breaks are so important!<br /><br />How many notes? Let's see... I think my PDF program will tell me. *checks* Yep, I left 93 notes. Some of those were just crossing out typos or words I wanted to delete and things though. It was a mix of stuff.<br /><br />Some people actually enjoy the formatting process, so you may surprise yourself! It's just not for me... I think once I get the hang of it though, it won't be so bad. And I didn't ACTUALLY have pink text. I was just kidding. XD I usually try to keep it neat and clean.<br /><br />Since I was only doing a chapter a week for the most part, it honestly wasn't too big a deal. I rather enjoyed it actually! But yeah, if I hadn't been able to put the documents side by side like that I would have NEVER even considered it. I can only imagine what a pain it was trying to retype your story and having to close and open the window over and over. I admire you for doing that!<br /><br />It was pretty fun having a document I could wreck without worry. XD<br /><br />OH NO. Ack, you're right! Force of habit. And you know I think I said fangirling in the group email I sent last night. O_O OOPS. I'm so used to addressing a group of girls I forget! Don't you worry, my Solitary Male Reader is VERY appreciated! I've just gotta break this habit of addressing the group as girls. AGH.<br /><br />I used to HATE coffee, but I ended up acquiring a taste for it. And this whole tea drinking thing is a very new development. Yes, thesauruses are LIFE. And music, of course!<br /><br />They're all great to have. Especially the Go Teen Writers book. I highly recommend it!<br /><br />Certainly! Thank YOU for reading and commenting!Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.com