1. I usually need a few days perspective on any WIP that needs revising, so I generally finish the rough draft and let the WIP sit for anywhere from a couple days to a couple weeks before I tackle the revisions. Yep. Still agree. Happily, I took a break from my current MS, came back, opened it and discovered that thus far, I don't have much to do but add a few words here and there. Knock on wood. Don't want to jinx myself.
2. Chances are excellent that I'm not going to be finished revising, editing and aditing on the first round. What is aditing? It's when you're adding paragraphs, scenes, entire new chapters as you're editing. Oh, yeah. I'm on my, um......11ty 17th round.
3. The valuable input of a trusted critique partner shouldn't be ignored. I'd rather hear my CP tell me something stinks than hear it from an editor in a rejection letter. Hayle yeah!
4. We've heard this golden chestnut before, but it certainly bears repeating... You can't fix a blank page. You CAN fix stinkified words on a page, however. Yep, yep, yep. Stinkified words can be fixed. Amazing when your braincell re-engages and you find a way to to state something just that much better and you wonder why you didn't write it that way to begin with!
5. Revise or edit for specific things if the notion of revising/editing overwhelms you. Revise for emotional depth. Revise GMC for characters. Revise your characterization. Revise for plot holes or loose ends. Revise for overused words. Revise for passive voice (turning it to active voice). Revise for spelling. Revise per your CP's comments. Yep. Still do that.
6. Revisions may be daunting, yes. However, instead of looking at them as a chore, look at the process as a way to improve your writing. You know your transitions or ending hooks need help? Revise with the intention of sprucing those up. There are countless resources on the Internet to help with any aspect of writing you'd like to tackle.
7. Revisions are a necessary part of the writing process. There's always a better word, a more active phrase, a bit of emotional detail that can be added for greater impact. Absolutely.
8. Don't revise your WIP to death. Really. You'll polish your unique voice right out of it. (Um, bad grammar, punctuation problems and creative spelling do not constitute voice. Just saying.) Right. At some point, you (I) need to abandon the baby. It'll be fine.
9. If you're going to join a critique group or have a critique partner, you're going to need a thick skin. You don't want a critique partner who only gushes at your brilliance, you need a CP who will be honest with you. Be sure to set up the parameters of your CP relationship, however, to avoid confrontations, hurt feelings, and to be sure that you're getting the most from the experience as you can. If you join a group, same goes. It's possible for CP's and crit groups to give honest crits that may sting or hurt your pride without being cruel. Cruelty and unkindness are unnecessary. The experience should be helpful, productive and worthwhile. If it isn't, it may be time to find a new situation.
10. Revise, edit and adit with a purpose. If what you're doing isn't improving the WIP, then ask yourself why you're doing it, what purpose does it serve. Oh, yes, absolutely.
That was useful, for me anyway. Hope it's useful for you, too.
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