So How Do You Know When You've Edited Enough?

Discussion in 'Author Discussions' started by Mode, May 15, 2019.

  1. Mode

    Mode New Member

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    So I am writing something like a test novel to get practice with writing, but even for the test, I find myself going in circles writing something, then deciding I don't like it a few days/hours later and going back to change something or another.

    So how do you decide when you've done enough and it's time to just post the chapter and move on?
     
  2. Deleted member 155674

    Deleted member 155674 Guest

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    When you feel confident about what you wrote, I guess?
    Just take your time, nothing is wrong with that
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 15, 2019
  3. c3ltic

    c3ltic . . .

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    It's one of the things I struggle with, but the best way is to write the first draft in one go, then go back and change it. After you have walked away from it for awhile. Look at it with fresh eyes.
     
  4. lnv

    lnv ✪ Well-Known Hypocrite

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    There is never such a thing as enough... until it is perfect which is pretty much never... I find I spend 10X more time editing than I do writing.

    That said, it is important to move on writing, then come back to edit. Effectively, I write out as many chapters as I can, then go back and edit them once I finish writing an arc. Then when I finish editing the 1st time, I go back and edit again. As it gets closer to the deadline, I then stick to editing the closer 2-3 chapters and on day of release I edit the main chapter until it is time to release.
     
  5. elengee

    elengee Daoist Ninefaps

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    By getting a second opinion from someone.
     
  6. Vilidious

    Vilidious Well-Known Member

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    Well, in my humble opinion:
    • what's the point you want to make?
    • when you/someone else reads it again, does the point come across?
    • does what you write feel believable to you?
    • can you read it through without seeing clear spelling mistakes etc.?
    I think those are the very main points, then you can just move on until you get it all done, and then lastly you can start nitpicking details and making the whole seem fluent and seamless. :blobunsure:
     
  7. DiabolicGod

    DiabolicGod Well-known lazy Member

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    The way I got around that Problem was by writing a simple draft, around 10-20 Main Plot Points with several subpoints and then thinking the Story through how it would be written and editing Most of IT there before even starting. It also helps to have another sheet for Background and worldbuilding

    PS: autocorrect is a bitch on mobile
     
  8. Meloman

    Meloman My dog is lazier than me

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    Your opinion is completely correct, for things like essays or short articles.... and even uni dissertations. But so far I have not found this advice useful for any “fiction” writing of longer than 10000 words... I guess it depends a lot on the length of whatever it is you writing as well as what sort of genre.
    Also are you writing for “yourself”, just to get the story in your head out there, or are you writing for “a reader”? Coz for myself I could write about a pink dragon, but if it’s for “audience” I’d change that dragon’s color and make it more fierce and dangerous... not that there is anything wrong with pink fluffy dragons...
     
  9. SerialBeggar

    SerialBeggar Hate your family? Got no friends? Gimme your stuff

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  10. Vilidious

    Vilidious Well-Known Member

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    To be fair, the pink fluffy dragon feels more interesting.

    Other than that, yeah, a lot depends on who/what you write for.

    I generally do things for my own enjoyment, as otherwise it's work and I already have a day job. :)
     
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  11. EnerHighwave

    EnerHighwave Holy Daugther of Kyuu 8❤️ Speedy's pet Lovely's ❤️

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    Actually it could be an interesting story. I think it have potential
     
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  12. Dragon_Reader

    Dragon_Reader Humans just don't taste as good as books \( ̄ハ ̄)

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    It never 'enough'. I have found grammatical/ spelling errors in books of authors who have sold millions of copies. Each time you re-read your work, you will definitely find a few mistakes, change the way a particular sentence has been written or even insert/ delete whole scenes.

    The point when you say 'enough', is when you believe your book, as is now, has passed you own requirement test.
     
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  13. UnGrave

    UnGrave ななひ~^^

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    I think you have to learn the answer to that question from your reader base. Put out a chapter, and if there are too many complaints, you didn't edit good enough. Adjust as you go, and just try and make the story read at a consistent level.
     
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  14. MrLLama

    MrLLama Just a Fancy Llama.

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    Never got past that. Always get stuck at 1 page
     
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  15. Galooza

    Galooza The One True Walapalooza

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    Frankly, it sounds like you aren't sure of what you want the core story to be. I don't mean in terms of fleshed out plot details, there's an endless number of ideas a plot can be fleshed out with, but the core story you're trying to tell. Like a character study, for example. Then, what's the relation of a specific chapter or arc to the core? When you know the angle to take, the details really start flow, and that's only real point that someone can be content with a story.
     
    Last edited: May 15, 2019
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  16. rhianirory

    rhianirory Well-Known Member

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    for self publishing the best way is to decide on a general outline before writing the story, stick to it, write the first draft, rewrite correcting the flaws you see, then give to to other people to read. get feedback and edit again (it's actually good if one of your friends is a grammar Nazi in these cases). another read-through and give it another rewrite and if there's no glaring flaws go ahead and publish. the audience will most likely be harsher than your readers, so keep them in mind. don't take constructive criticism personally and ignore the trolls.
     
  17. Guyver

    Guyver Bio-Booster Armor

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    That is what alpha and beta readers are for to give you feedback on your story so you know you are going in a good direction and whether there are any plot, story, character, logic and continuity problems.

    You need to find trust worthy fans of the genre whose opinions you trust.
     
  18. Seigin

    Seigin [Lolicon][GenderBender Banzai!]

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    The 5 stages of grief
    You deny the possibility of your edit to be okay.
    You're angry cause you can't make it better.
    You'll bargain to idk whom, maybe a colleague.
    Then you'll just learn to accept it as it is and publish it.
     
  19. thepope

    thepope Well-Known Member

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    Few points that are always there first make a rough plan of what features the lead actors have
    Make a plan of what the story is about, not for chapters, but for a path that goes on in many chapters: brainstorming.
    Example Hemingway could write about 30 sites about a one-day fishing experience.
    I can only say it from my studies, if you have an idea for a damn good scene, write it down before the idea is gone.
    The Pachwork came last.

    It's your first story, so write it down, leave it for a week, read it again and write down some points on the page that could be changed. Try to rewrite this part, etc., if you have someone who can read it for reference do so.

    Again, there will always be someone who says your work is a sh** but if there is something good that is being pointed out try to improve it.
    One of my profs sad that we students should read poetry for better expression because they have many meanings in it that can be reused without the use of many words.
     
  20. elengee

    elengee Daoist Ninefaps

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    Critique is the hammer to the chisel that is creativity. If you take the blow wrong you could end up destroying all potential and getting hurt, but without it it'll be mighty hard to bring out the potential of the material. :hmm:
     
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