The Next Loop
I told y’all I was going to keep you in the loop—how many times have I made such a promise then let my commitment fall by the wayside? I’m trying to have more stamina this time, so here goes.
The next step in revising: I’m about to embark on reading The Bone Trench out loud.
I’ve incorporated all the action points from my Reader’s Report-Working Copy into the manuscript. I’ve held in abeyance at the bottom of the Working Copy the big-ticket items I need to make sure to address. I’ve studied those items and lodged them in my brain so that, as I read, I’ll be aware of them.
Why read aloud? The reading aloud gives me a feel for micro-matters (the cadence) and macro-matters (the overall flow of the story). As I read, I’ll make on the Working Copy notations of the pages where major revisions were made. That way I can ensure chronology flows properly—that I didn’t make an astounding revelation . . . only to see where I made it again six pages later.
Reading aloud also helps me see/hear where things stick out like a sore thumb. Primarily this means clunky sentences where I’ve “conveyed needed information” instead of weaving the information into the voice of the character. I hate sore thumb passages; they make my skin crawl. (I, however, love mixed metaphors—sometimes you need more than one to properly make your point.)
Reading aloud also lets me know where I’m bored. And, Lord knows, if I can’t keep myself entertained, I don’t have a prayer with the reader.
I think this process will take about three days. Time me. We’ll see how I do. 🙂
novel revision, reading aloud to revise your novel, revising tips, revising your novel
Marisa
Good luck with the reading and revising! I’m so glad you’re getting this one closer to the hands of the reader–myself included!
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Thanks, Marisa, I’m committed to giving it my best shot!
Joe Hawes
Let us know how this works. I love that novel, so I hope it sounds ad good ad it reads.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Thanks, Joe, for your patience with the birthing of this manuscript. I will let you know how it goes.
Luanne
When you read aloud, do you record yourself? Or just let it flow? I’m not timing you, but will be curious about what you discover!
Ellen Morris Prewitt
No, I just read, editing as I go. I got to p. 52 in half-a-day so I may make my anticipated deadline. I’ll let y’all know.
redosue
I have tried to get my kids to read their work out loud as a way of proofreading and listening to their words, just as you’re doing. Good luck! I’m enjoying learning about how you bring your words to life.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Thanks for joining me on the journey!
Joanne Corey
It never occurred to me that novelists do read-alouds as part of their process, too. Poets do it, but it only takes minutes, not days! Don’t strain your voice trying to make your deadline! 😉
Ellen Morris Prewitt
I have always read aloud. My eyes too quickly skip over things that make my ear pause. You’re right–it is hard on my allergy-roughened throat, though!