VISION AND REVISION
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I just sent the revision of my medieval fantasy, TALON, back to my Faber & Faber editor in the UK (one month turnaround. Not bad!). Now it's back to THE ANCIENTS --
sequel to THE BEAST OF NOOR. My Atheneum editor, Susan Burke cried "Shorten!" saying THE BEAST OF NOOR was Long. Could I make THE ANCIENTS about 100 pages shorter than BEAST?
Hum . . . I knew this would be a lot of cutting since THE ANCIENTS was turned in at about 100 pages LONGER than the BEAST manuscript. Still Susan gave me some suggestions about where to begin lightening the load.
I began, as always, with some trepidation and started to remove a paragraph here, a page there, working tenderly with tweezers. As I grew more daring out came the the scissors, clip clip here, clip clip there, scenes dropped to the floor. Finally I pulled out the hacksaw, cutting out whole chapters that "slowed the pace" or "could be turned into a telling little paragraph after all."
To make sure I don't cut anything vital, I'm scanning the manuscript using a Plot Chart I devised to keep track of the the Through Line.
Three weeks to go before I have to turn the revision in.
The race is on.
Until the next blog,
Be well.
Janet
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4 comments:
I have students in both of the schools I teach in who are so excited about you coming to Springfield, MO. I know their parents will bring them to meet you at the autographing party, which will be crazy I am sure, but please know they are loyal fans and have read all the books you have written that they can get their hands on!! Will you have any extra time here in Springfield?
I wish I could stay longer but I'll be flying back home the next day. It will be great to see you at the Children's Lit. Conference.
Cheers,
Janet
Clip, clip...keep going, Janet! Your writing is wonderful, your books are amazing...it's almost hard for me to believe they don't just come out that way if I didn't have the pleasure of witnessing some of the process. You are loved. You are inspired by a high calling. May the Spirit go before you as you revise.
DEAR JANET,
I AM A CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT MANAGER AT BARNES AND NOBLE IN STATE COLLEGE,PA.
I TRY TO READ AS MANY BOOKS AS POSSIBLE TO KNOW WHAT TO RECCOMEND TO CHILDREN,PARENTS,AND TEACHERS.
I FOUND "BEAST OF NOOR"EXCITING,WELL WRITTEN,AND HIGHLY RECCOMENDABLE. I THINK READERS OF ALL AGES WILL ENJOY IT.
I LOOK FOWARD TO ITS SEQUEL.
THANK YOU,JEANNE M. WOOLLEY
msoolley@adelphia.net
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