Amazing how they can see the flaws through your forest of phrases, where all you saw was your story coming together.
- After typing 'THE END', I let the manuscript sit until after I received notes from a few CPs.
- I opened the document from CP #1 and read each comment/observation, taking my own handwritten notes as I went along until I reached the end. (In this case, I sent my CPs the manuscript in four separate docs, so I'm going through the first doc.)
- I then did the same with my other CPs' documents.
Doing this gave me a road map, an outline of what may or may not need fixing, especially when more than one CP made the same suggestion.
I waited until I received at least two CPs' suggestions back before I began this process. Each was fresh in my mind, which made it much easier for me to compare any similarities between the two. Within a day, I received a third CP's suggestions, so I included hers as well.
With this manuscript, I had four people reading for me. I hadn't received #4's suggestions yet, so I decided to use this last CP's notes as a check at the end of my revisions.
NEXT week: In The Trenches - of taking those notes.
Do you have a system to initially read your CP's edits?
NEXT week: In The Trenches - of taking those notes.
Do you have a system to initially read your CP's edits?
I have a few tried-n-true critique partners/beta readers who I go to once a manuscript is finished or after serious revisions. I've always tried to have a few readers who read and are familiar with the genre and a few who write/read a different genres because it's interesting to see the differences/similarities in their observations and attempt to cover my bases as much as I can;)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea. Having peeps from different genres read. I like that!
DeleteThat's such a great quote. I couldn't agree more.
ReplyDeleteI use three critique partners and usually wait until I receive the third one before making changes. I pay attention first to those things pointed out by more than one person. Ironically, in my last manuscript, there was a scene that one person hated, one loved, and the other said nothing. (I chose to leave it as-is.)
ReplyDeleteAwesome. I have an in house content editor, so that helps with the process, but I'm about to launch back into the CP zone. I'm such a perfectionist that it always gives me the jitters. Guess that's something we just have to get over, eh?
ReplyDeleteWith critiquing, I used to immediately jump into the notes. However, I've learned to skim them when I receive them then step away, allowing certain items to marinate. It's much easier to go back after a few days and begin dissecting my CP's comment with my intentions and voice of the story. Also, doing it this way, I can see how a CP may note something one place then find that it has been addressed later and satisfied their initial comment. It can be tedious, but worth it to use the nuggets of insight provided while being okay with letting go of the rest.
ReplyDeleteAnd when I have multiple CP's noting the same thing, that is such a major flag, so I note that as well.
Stepping back is vital, at least for me. I totally agree. It's something that's taken me a bit of time and experience to learn. At least I'm learning, right?
Delete'Flaws in the forest where you saw the story coming together.' -- That's perfect.
ReplyDeleteI love when two or more CPs suggest the same thing because then you know it's something that needs work, for sure. :-)
Yes. That reassurance is what I yearn for. Always makes me feel better!
DeleteI haven't had more than one beta read at a time yet. But if I did, I'd wait for all the comments first. Critique partners are really invaluable. I become blind to some of the flaws in my writing as I'm sure others do too.
ReplyDeleteI think you're bringing up a good point. I used to only have one reader; now I have four. Maybe two or three is enough.
DeleteIt's so valuable to have more than one CP, that way you can compare and see what really needs to change and what might need to stay the same. I just found my CP's recently when I started writing YA fiction, so I'm still working out a system. So far, it's going great!
ReplyDeleteEveryone's system is different. That's one reason I wanted to write this series. Compare, contrast, and see what works for each of us - as well as sharing with newer writers. I was sooooo lost with this CP thing, when I first started writing. And a little terrified. :)
DeleteI don't know if I have a "system" per se, more like a general way of doing things, which honestly varies from book to book. I think the more I write, the less beta readers I need, but that could also be the deadlines talkin'!
ReplyDeleteMakes sense the longer one writes the less comments they receive. YAY! for progress.
DeleteI don't have a system as such, just three trusted critique partners. Two are writers and one is an avid reader. Like Alex, I tend to pay more attention to the things that more than one crit partner comments on. However, I always go with my gut when making the final decisions.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read the next of this post!
Yeah I go with my gut in the end but I try to let the comments all sink in for a while before deciding how to revise.
ReplyDeleteI think resonating on those comments is a great point. No rushing into edits. #ducksheadinshame
DeleteI have had critique partners in the past and I love them. They have helped me so much. I don't know what I would without them.
ReplyDeleteA good critique partner is priceless. I don't know that I have a method exactly. I just read through the comments, have a think, apply the suggestions I agree with or have a longer think over the suggestions I don't fully agree with.
ReplyDeleteYeah. It's all about the pondering.
DeleteI like printing out the notes and reading them as I go through the MS.
ReplyDeleteI do exactly what Lynda R Young goes- read, apply, then have a longer think! =) And thank goodness for cp's, don't know what I'd do w/out mine!
ReplyDeleteI know, right. It always amazes me how they see what I can't and vise-versa.
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by. I really appreciate it!
An interesting post that I enjoyed reading.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.
This is a wonderful post. I'm always curious to see how others go through this process. I initially got my critique partners a little too late in the game on my current novel, but when my next novel is finished, I'm definitely going to use this process you mentioned.
ReplyDelete