The Most Essential Key To Editing Your Manuscript

Many great books and lecturers teach steps on how to edit our manuscripts. Like a diet plan, each one can work for the writer who is willing to follow the steps.

Today's post: The Most Essential Key To Editing Your Manuscript introduces an idea that is crucial for any editing method you use. 

I think we've all asked ourselves, "Why hasn't my manuscript been accepted? I've checked every word. What more do they want?"   Right? Today's suggestion may be the one idea that will help reveal issues, improve the quality, and potentially bring success.

I came home from the 2016 ACFW writing conference in Nashville excited to put into practice what I'd learned. I had a mashing of puzzle pieces gathered from Ted Dekker, Erin Healy, Jim Rubert, Allen Arnold and other instructors I sat under floating in my brain. My goal: I wanted to write and edit my manuscript with a depth that would suck a reader into story and not let go until the end. 

Notice the words, write and edit.

I'm going to present this information backwards because many of us have a finished manuscript. Let's start with the editing component.

Erin Healy, editor and author, stated in her class, "Always edit your manuscript using a different medium than you first wrote."

What she meant was:
If you key your words into a computer do not read from the same style screen when editing.
If you handwrite your words on paper, do not read the same paper when editing.
If you dictate your words do not listen to the text when editing.

Photo Courtesy

Our minds are easily tricked. We see, hear, feel what was intended, not what is actually there. For example:

You're walking along a dark road at night when leaves and branches suddenly crackle behind. A snapping rhythm mimics footsteps. You turn. Why? Because you know someone or something is there. You see nothing but are not convinced. There is someone there. Your hearing told you so. Your mind believed it. Your heart responded. Panic sets in, and the belief system set in stone.



When edit our manuscript using the same tool we used to write the words, we often become blind to errors. By the last page, we're convinced what is on the page is the best and is ready to send to crit partners, beta readers, contests, agents, or editors. To our surprise, red ink with suggestions for new content, grammar corrections, and character description errors are sent back. Ugh! Disaster!! 

The sad part is, after making these changes more hidden issues hide in the ink on the page. We can't see them. Why is that? 

We need to follow Erin Healy's advice: edit using a different medium. Preferably, and this is key, one that matches our learning style.

Some of us are audio learners, some visual, some kinesthetic, and some learn best by combining two or more of these. I knew I was a visual learner. One I see something, it sticks.  Or so I thought. Turns out, a second learning style happened at the same time to make information really stay in my brain. Without it, failure.

When Erin presented the idea of using different ways to see/hear/engage in story, she and classmates brainstormed ideas like: 

*Send the manuscript to your kindle-the change in formatting helps to reveal errors.
*Send to the kindle and turn on the reader.
*Scrivener users have a speech reader program that will read the manuscript.
*Word apparently has a reader (but I haven't found it yet. If you know how to turn this feature on, please tell us in the comment section)
*View on a desktop computer
*Have someone else read the manuscript to you.

My favorite new idea was Scrivener's speech reader. It took a while to find (Go to edit, choose speech, select start) After hearing only a few sentences, better words popped in my head, pieces of missing story world unveiled themselves deepening the story. The characters seemed to come alive and spoke through the reader's voice breathing life into the words.

So... this happened because some monotone male voice read my story? No. I really needed to experience the story in a different format than I wrote it.

This is only the tip of the iceberg. Seeing/hearing/sensing my story in a different format is only helpful if and only if I have a deep sense of my MC's journey. 

Author, Ted Dekker said, "Storytelling is different than writing. Storytelling is a series of events involving worthy characters who change as a result of those events. Readers long for an escape from life and they search in our novels for another way."

As I listened to the monotone male voice read my story, I walked about my house, envisioning the action, MC's distress, her momentary successes and failures, her choices and changes in plan, her journey and the forward movement to the last page. And when the words hit a speed bump, I stopped my monotone friend from reading and rewrote words, sentences, and paragraphs, slicing and dicing, adding and modifying, drawing out a swirling depth that engaged me to the heart. Wow! What a terrific feeling.

Allen Arnold, Jim Rubert, Ted Dekker all said writers need to cry, laugh, shout, basically spill emoji while engaged in writing/editing a story. This is an experience writers not only give to readers, they give to themselves as well.

Allen Arnold said, "Many writers burn out because they weren't sustained for the journey." He also recently share this meme:

In the depths of your writer's soul is a story waiting to be told. Vivid words that transform each main character from the first page to the last. Don't trust an edit from the first means used to write your manuscript. Step into the reader's shoes and join them through the pages of the main character's journey by using a unique tool to edit.

Happy creating!

I can't wait to read your comment(s)!

Help others--tweet or FB share this post

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Rock climbing, white-water rafting, zip lining, and hiking top Mary's list of great ways to enjoy a day. Such adventures can be found in her stories as well.

Mary writes young adult mystery/suspense, is honing marketing and writing skills, and loves to pen missionary and tell Bible event stories on her ministry blog, God Loves Kids. She has finaled in several writing contests.

Visit Mary at her website, blog, and her ministry blog to families: God Loves Kids. Or chat on Facebook or Twitter

All subscribers to Mary's newsletter will receive her new short story an intriguing suspense/mystery. Come, read a good story. To get your free gift, sign up for the newsletter at Mary's website or:  Join the adventure!

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Friday on the Writer's Alley-Cats and Pals Braggin' on God's Blessings

2016 ACFW was the conference I did't think I needed to attend this year. Talk about attitude. I confess, I was wrong. Completely and totally wrong. I'm so glad God knew what was best for me.

This was the gathering of 3-D friends. You know, the people you met on FB, have chatted with for hours, have seen their picture and were convinced you'd recognize in a crowd until they appeared one foot shorter than you expected. 

Meghan Gorecki

We heard their laugh rather than read LOL. We saw their smile complete with dimples rather than an emoji :).  We saw their aching heart, their bubbly spirit, their hopes and dreams and found them more vibrant than we thought. These 3D friends...are gems created by God.


So, my husband asked me what I liked most about the conference. How did I love it? (instead of like it) let me count the ways.... 

Ted Dekker

*Ted Dekker's key note messages. I must have talked about a half hour about Ted's strategy for writing from the heart. Hubby politely nodded not understanding what on earth I was talking about. I also told my sister, and my daughter, each had the same deer in the headlight response. That's okay. I understood.
*Allen Arnold's continuing education class--equally stirring. Dig deep into your soul. That is when the story will truly come to life. 
*Erin Healy's How to Think Like Your Editor. Powerful. Packed with tons of information helping writers understand the editing process and how we can edit our manuscripts.
*The Don't Lie to Me class taught by a forensic artist wowed me. These tips, facts, clues were not just for mystery writers. Every genre benefited from knowing how to accurate portray a character who is not telling the truth. Much more than body language. 

And these were only the tip of a magnificent iceberg conference. God blessed above and beyond what any attendee expected. 

Notable News: 

Krista's book, A Side of Love, is on sale for ninety-nine cents through Sunday. Click here.

FANTASTIC NEWS: Pepper was a Carol award finalist for her debut book: The Thorn Bearer. Click here. Pepper also says, "I had two editors request two manuscripts each and made some great contacts with Tyndale editors. I was reviewed by Romantic Times." We are also not surprised that she was swamped with raves about her books!!

Pepper and Mary

Mary received a request for a full manuscript and full proposal from an editor from Revell.

Casey and Sue (Mom)

Casey, director of the Carol Awards, presented the winners. Her mom, Sue Herringshaw was able to attend the Gala.  Casey says, "I survived." We knew you would. :)

Amy, Krista, Mary, Julia

Julia says, "I was able to connect with two women who had been mentors to me and get some new story ideas." I happen to also know that Julia interviewed a few VIPs for an article. Way to go Julia!

Matt and Nate came along to support Ashley.

Ashley says, " I had a full request from my dream publisher and a partial from another!! I am just so thankful for the time spent in community and encouragement among some of the dearest people in my life." Sounds like triple goodness, Ashley!!

Jessica Patch and Laurie Tomlinson

Laurie had a great time connecting. She signed a contract earlier this year. We are so excited about her new book! 

Angie's fabulous news was already shared!!!  CONTRACT!!

Amy and Krista

Amy claimed to be a lurker at the conference in her post yesterday. I beg to differ. She touched so many lives. Networked with writers. Shared her experiences. Laughed. And cheered for winners at the gala. To me, she gave a lot.

Ashley, Sarah Ladd, Courtney Walsh, and Cara

  
Cara whisked around, helping first timers and most likely a thousand other jobs during the conference. She is a multi-published author.

Now it's your turn! 

You didn't have to attend the conference to receive a blessing from God!

Let's do this! Share your blessing in the comment section.

Time to brag on what God did for us!

Let's fill the page with His blessings!!

Freebie Friday!

Check out these freebies by some amazing authors!

Welcome to Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong

 

She's learned you can't count on anyone--but she didn't count on landing in Last Chance.

The red warning light on her car dashboard may have driven Lainie Davis to seek help in the tiny town of Last Chance, New Mexico, but as she meets the people who make this one-horse town their home, it's her heart that is flashing bright red warning lights. These people are entirely too nice, too accommodating, and too interested in her personal life--especially since she's on the run and hoping to slip away unnoticed.

Yet in spite of herself, Lainie is increasingly drawn into the small-town dramas and to a handsome local guy with a secret of his own. Could Lainie actually make a life in this little town? Or will the past catch up to her even here in the middle of nowhere?

Click to link to freebie download

 

Shattered Rose by Tammy L. Gray

“For any girl who has struggled to love herself.” –Tammy L. Gray

Avery Nichols knows how to wear the mask. Perfect student, perfect daughter and perfect friend. Nobody would ever guess that inside Avery is a prisoner to her own self loathing.

Then she meets him…and everything changes.

Handsome, charming and self assured, Jake Matthews sweeps Avery off her feet in an effortless fashion. Avery knows that Jake is everything she needs and all she has ever wanted.

She would destroy herself to be loved by him…until he walks away.

Broken and lost, Avery meets Parker. His genuine, caring nature reaches past the mask and the shattered pieces of her heart slowly begin to heal. But just when Avery starts to feel whole again, she faces the impossible truth.

Jake never really left.

Click for link to freebie download

 

 

With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

They know everything about each other--except their real names.

Lt. Mellie Blake is looking forward to beginning her training as a flight nurse. She is not looking forward to writing a letter to a man she's never met--even if it is anonymous and part of a morale-building program. Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa, welcomes the idea of an anonymous correspondence--he's been trying to escape his infamous name for years.

As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other's true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face-to-face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?

Combining a flair for romance with excellent research and attention to detail, Sarah Sundin vividly brings to life the perilous challenges of WWII aviation, nursing--and true love.

Link to freebie download

Three Little Words by Melissa Tagg

Ava Kingsley and Seth Walker might be the most unlikely friends ever. The only thing these two polar opposites have in common is a knack for wordsmithing. Back in college, they were known for their written sparring in the campus newspaper's popular "He Says/She Says" column.

At their ten-year college reunion, they pick up right where they left off. Except this time their squabbling leads to a surprising turn: friendship and a year-long exchange of emails. So when Ava approaches a crossroads in her athletics department career in Minnesota, Seth is quick to offer the open apartment above the restaurant he's been remodeling in Maple Valley, Iowa.

Ava doesn't know where her career will lead her next, but she's starting to suspect she might see Seth as more than a pen pal. Which would be exciting...except for the fact that he only sees her as a friend.

As Maple Valley grows on her, Ava wonders if there might be something here for her even though Seth is unavailable. And maybe, just maybe, after all the words the two of them have exchanged over the years, they'll finally be able to say the three that matter most.

Link to freebie download

 All for Anna by Nicole Deese 

 

 

If guilt is a prison; Victoria Sales has given herself a life sentence.
Held captive by regret, 23 year-old trauma RN, Tori Sales, has seen the reality of many nightmares. But there is one nightmare she will never wake from—her last memory of Anna.

Her efforts to save the little girl were not enough; she was not enough.
After a year of living alone, Tori is forced to return home—a place where heartache, loss, and broken relationships lurk around every corner. Isolation is her only solace; running is her only escape. But she cannot outrun the truth forever.

When a handsome, compassionate stranger enters her world, Tori is inspired to deal with her past and focus on the future—one she never believed possible. But before her quest for closure is complete, a new revelation surfaces, tainting her world yet again.

Link to freebie download

 

 

 

The Unveiling by Tamara Leigh

 

12th century England: Two men vie for the throne: King Stephen the usurper and young Duke Henry the rightful heir. Amid civil and private wars, alliances are forged, loyalties are betrayed, families are divided, and marriages are made.

For four years, Lady Annyn Bretanne has trained at arms with one end in mind—to avenge her brother’s murder as God has not deemed it worthy to do. Disguised as a squire, she sets off to exact revenge on a man known only by his surname, Wulfrith. But when she holds his fate in her hands, her will wavers and her heart whispers that her enemy may not be an enemy after all.

Baron Wulfrith, renowned trainer of knights, allows no women within his walls for the distraction they breed. What he never expects is that the impetuous young man sent to train under him is a woman who seeks his death—nor that her unveiling will test his faith and distract the warrior from his purpose.

 Link to Freebie

 

 

Eyes Wide Open by Ted Dekker

Who am I? 

My name is Christy Snow. I'm seventeen and I'm about to die. 

I'm buried in a coffin under tons of concrete. No one knows where I am. My heart sounds like a monster with clobber feet, running straight toward me. I'm lying on my back, soaked with sweat from the hair on my head to the soles of my feet. My hands and feet won't stop shaking.

Some will say that I m not really here. Some will say I'm delusional. Some will say that I don t even exist. But who are they? I'm the one buried in a grave. 

My name is Christy Snow. I'm seventeen. I'm about to die. 

So who are you? 

In a return to the kind of storytelling that made Black, Showdown and Three unforgettable, Ted Dekker drags that question into the light with this modern day parable about how we see ourselves. 

Humming with intensity and blindsided twists, Eyes Wide Open is raw adrenaline from the first page to the last pure escapism packed with inescapable truth. Not all is as it seems. Or is it? Strap yourself in for the ride of your life. Literally. (Young Adult)

 Link to freebie

Jenna's Cowboy by Sharon Gillenwater

 

Can you ever get a second chance at your first love?

Jenna Callahan Colby thought she was content. A partner on her father's successful ranch, she is surrounded by family and friends. But she never expected to see Nate Langley back in town--the first guy she ever noticed, the one her father sent away all those years ago.

And she never thought the attraction they felt would be as strong as ever.

Jenna's cowboy has some healing of his own to do, though, after two tours of duty in the armed forces. With the help of good friends, strong faith, and a loving family, he hopes to put the horrors of the past behind him--and become the man Jenna deserves.

 Link to freebie

Necessary Proof by Camy Tang

 

After opening his heart to Jesus in prison, Alex Villa has left his criminal past behind him. However, his efforts to take down a gang producing meth in Sonoma have made him a target. Set up to look like he's being bribed by the gang, the police blame him for the death of a cop. Only the evidence on an encrypted laptop can prove he's innocent.

Software engineer Jane Lawton has been betrayed by the men closest to her, including a God she thought would protect her. She won't let Alex down, because she knows what it feels like to be disbelieved and abandoned.


However, the men after them have orders to repossess the evidence and make sure Jane and Alex take their knowledge to the grave. Can they prove Alex's innocence before time runs out for them both?

 

Link to freebie

 

Happy Friday! Feel free to share any freebies that I've missed! Read on.

The Variety of In-Not-Of the World Writing - Part 1

God likes variety.

If you’re not sure about it, look out the window. This world is full of color from sea to ever-changing sea.

God's imagination, in amazing color, is everywhere.

So why are we surprised when God takes the same variety and imagination into fiction?
Why do we get stuck in a 'category' of what Christian fiction is 'supposed' to look like?
Isn't there variety within this category too?

Time for me to get a little technical here and pose a few interesting questions.

Does God only create one type of story to get His Gospel out to the world?

Did He in the Bible?

Nope

He used the perfect story for a particular audience at a certain time in history.
Same truth. Different 'way' in which the story was conveyed.
To farmers, he talked about seeds. To workers, he talked about 'talents'. Paul even talked about an 'unknown god' when speaking in the courts of the Gentiles.

The Bible itself is filled with the good, the bad, and the ugly in stories - and God doesn't hold back on some real-life, tough issues.

He uses different stories to convey one truth in different ways.

Just like he calls us to do.

So here’s my ‘table’ to talk about God’s story variety:

In the Christian community we sometimes forget God’s great imagination and how he uniquely fits the perfect story to the right audience.

Most stories are a mixture of 3 of the six above options. Any combination can work and NONE of them are the wrong combination for God to use His story to reach the people He wants to reach.

Let’s go over each of the categories in this post and in Part 2 we’ll talk about different novels which are examples.

1.       Simpler Story-Line – fewer subplots and less complex story line.

2.       Complex Story-Line – more deeply and complex story line

3.       Subtle Christian Themes – A read-through of this novel will not show obvious Christian themes, but because the novel is written from a Christian world-view, the natural story of God’s grace comes through in the way the characters interact with others and their world.

4.       Overt Christian Themes – This novel has obvious Christian themes, possibly with Scriptures, prayers, and conversion scenes. There is a clear Christian worldview, and though the characters show their faith, they also talk openly about it within the story.

5.       PG – themes and language – This is a gentler story. The problems for the characters may be true-to-life, but are described in a gentler more PG related way. The language is usually gentler too as well as the romantic elements. Maybe a kiss or two, but not enough to heat up the collar. The suspense is more “Nancy Drew” than Ted Dekker - and usually this novel is less likely to cause any controversy by topics discussed or situations presented within the story.

6.       PG-13 – themes and language – This story is considered more ‘edgy’ in themes, perhaps in language also. The romance usually sticks to closed-bedroom doors, but the sexual tension has a tendency to be portrayed in a more intense and possibly physical way. There’s usually more than 1 or 2 chaste kisses (think Julie Lessman here) and possibly a struggle with sexual purity. The suspense thread may have more vivid or even harsher crimes with some real-to-life language exchanges. It also may possess a more intense spiritual struggle from “old-self” to ‘new-self” in Christ.

In our attempts to write the perfect novel, why are we writing it? Who is our audience? What do we hope God will do with our story?

Why do you read different books? What do you hope to find within the pages?

If I’m a woman whose past has been built on harsh choices, deep wounds, and rough words, what book might God have written for me?

If I’m a man who has chosen to leave my wife for another woman, only to realize the horrible mistake I’ve made – what book has God written for me?

If I’m a happy homemaker looking for an opportunity to escape the demands of the day or the seemingly mundane scenarios of my life- which book has God written for me?

Does a Christian author only write for CBA? Can he/she also write for ABA?

What’s your opinion? Just like the Apostle Paul modified his story to meet his audience, should we? Can God use our variety for His glory?

The Big 4 - Genre Options in Christian Fiction

On Friday, Krista had a fantastic post about the differences between Inspirational Fiction and Christian Fiction. If you want to read about it, go here.



Genre is a tricky thing anyway, I think. There are SO MANY possibilities. And so many ways to mix them together. I’ve been trying to figure them out for a while now, so I wanted to share some of the basics I’ve learned.

Here is a list of the BIG FOUR genres in Christian Fiction, and I’ll try to break some of these down into subcategories.

One of the MOST popular genre in Christian circles is Historical Fiction. Usually the ‘line’ for historical is WWII or maybe even the 1950s. I say ‘historical’ a bit loosely because there are basically two different camps of historical writers.

- People who give great historical detail, including true historical events and even historical figures (such as Nancy Moser’s historical books)

- Others use a historical period as a backdrop for their stories, but use purely fictional characters throughout.

Romance can be a part of these stories, but it usually isn’t the MAIN part of the story. Not if it’s a pure historical. For those of you who write romance in a historical setting, then the next genre is for you ;-)

THE MOST POPULAR Genre in Christian fiction is ROMANCE. Which means, the stories are about love, but that’s about all they could have in common. There are so many subgenre, it’s one of the easiest for first-time writers to enter. MANY of my favorite authors fit into here, of course. Mary Connealy, Julie Lessman, Laura Frantz, Siri Mitchell, Deeanne Gist… you get the point :-)

Historical romance

Romantic Suspense

Prairie Romance

Amish Romance

Fantasy Romance

Romantic Comedy

Those are just a few of the possibilities. We could add various combinations to romance and get another sub-genre, but remember some (BASIC) rules apply to romance. Most publishers want the hero and heroine meeting in the first chapter. The relationship between the hero and heroine is the ‘heart’ of the story and usually the story takes place over a relatively short period of time. There can be some pretty important stereotypes placed on the hero and heroine as well – so researching is an important starting point. :-)

Another BIG Genre is Christian Contemporary Fiction – which is really the ‘catch all’ of novels set in a contemporary world. Christian Women’s Fiction is usually placed within this genre. Chick-lit and Mom-lit would have fit in here, or any character driven novel. Angela Hunt comes to mind and some of Deb Raney and DiAnn Mills novels as well.

The fourth BIG genre (and one of the newest) is Christian Suspense and Mystery. The ‘who done it’ stories as well as the ‘thrillers’. The three main subgenre here are:

Romantic mystery

Romantic suspense

Cozy Mystery – these are your ‘sweet’ mysteries, without the graphic violence.

(Legal suspense novels and the new Christian ‘thrillers’ are becoming a larger subgenre here – Steven James, as an example)

A few other subgenres are – Christian Biblical Fiction (The Centurion’s Wife, Abigail), SciFi & Fantasy, Westerns, Adventure (House of Wolves is a VERY good example here), and even Horror – I might be tempted to put some of Ted Dekker’s books here)

So, when it comes to you – what genre do you read? AND what genre do you write?

Can you narrow it down to a subgenre, or do you get stuck in the gray sometimes like me? I have a historical novel that has a strong romantic element, but the heroine’s journey is as strong by itself as the romantic journey. So what do I do? Is it historical or is it romance?

Do you guys ever get a little lost in the genre fog?