Revision02:20

It is the art of turningwhat you wrote

intowhat you meant to write.

Get Organized!04:10

• Have a plan• Synopsize & Summarize• Make an Outline• Know your manuscript• Get Help

A Novel is …04:55

... a story about someonewho wants something badly

and takespositive forward action

to get it.

Synopsis07:40

A brief, clear statement of your novel’s story line

The whole novel at a glance Distills story into its most important elements Litmus test for your revision: Does this

advance the story as presented in the synopsis?

Helps identify problems: plot, pacing, logic, characterization, etc.

The Brief Synopsis12:15 AKA “The Elevator Pitch” Your WHOLE novel, in one sentence Story form from Linda Arms-White & Linda

Backus:This is a story about your main character, who wants story goal more than anything else in the world, but is prevented from achieving it by antagonist/obstacle, until s/he (takes positive forward action and) does what?

The Detailed Synopsis21:00 Chronological summary of the plot and

conflicts All the major characters and their arcs Add the resolution (the ending) Easier to glance at 5 pages than keep 400 in

your head Just for your revision: nobody else has to see

it (right now) However long you need it to be (within

reason)

Your Outline34:20

In which you figure out how to get there … Your map for your revision:

1. Chronological list of every scene in the novel

2. Plus notes to guide you (annotations)

Whatever Format Works For You 39:16 Formal Outline/ Lists Storyboard Detailed Synopsis Copious Notes/ Revision Letter Software (Scrivener) Snowflake Method – pre-writing/

planning your novel

Read Your Manuscript, Part I 48:05

In which You read your manuscript for every scene in the book and ask yourself: What is its function? Is it relevant? Does it support your synopsis? Is it in the right place? Is it well written? Is it repetitive? Is it too long/ short/ boring/ confusing? Is it working?

Read Your Manuscript, Part II 56:05

In which someone else reads your manuscript Critique Partners/ Groups Freelance Editors A good reader who will be honest about

what doesn’t work … and what does You have to let go eventually Gauge the audience’s reaction: Did you

read what I think I wrote? Helpful to bounce ideas off another person

Plot 01:16:45

Plot is a series of escalating conflicts that: Build on each other1. “Escalating” = the stakes are raised2. “Build on each other” = the solution to

one conflict begets the next conflict Not just “one damn thing after another” Plot is caused by the actions of your

main character1. Not things that happen to her/ him.

Story Structure 01:25:20 Intuitive understanding, but worth studying anyway Invisible skeleton that supports and organizes the plot1. What scenes go where Find one that works for you:1. 3 Act (beginning/ middle/ end) OR (set-up/ conflicts/

resolution) OR (set-up/ complication/ resolution2. Pyramid (rising action – climax – falling action)3. Nine Block Plot Matrix (Internet)4. Hero’s Journey5. Etc… And embrace it

References 01:32:30 Book in a Month (3 act structure) by

Victoria Lynn Schmidt The Key by James N. Frey Snowflake Method/ Advanced Fiction

Writing.com Save the Cat by Blake Snyder Screenwriting Tricks for Authors by

Alexander Sokoloff Scene Sequel by Jack Bickham

Character 01:37:05 Emotional Plot (vs. Action Plot) = Character Arc1. What your character wants2. What she overcomes to get it (internal &

external)3. And how she changes as a result of that journeyAll major characters need an arc Especially, the villain1. Because everyone is the protagonist in his

own story.2. Villains should parallel/ oppose the hero’s

Character, cont’d 01:57:101. Worthy Goal What she wants2. Strong Motivation Why she wants it3. High Stakes What s/he risks if s/he

doesn’t get it.4. Flaws How she keeps getting

in her own way.

5. Arc How she changes as a

result6. Consistency Takes (+) forward

action7. Sympathetic Someone we want to

spend time with

The Small Stuff 02:13:00In which, revision is in the details Keep Track of Your Revision1. Don’t delete anything! Maintain a CUT file.2. Make notes as you go: a “cleanup” file World building details (Did Jim’s name

change to John in Chapter 3? Notes on upcoming chapters/ scenes Changes to make for next time Etc.

The Small Stuff, cont’d 02:18:55 Keeping Track of Your Prose1. Watch for “weasel words”2. Repetition: Have I already made this point?3. Voice & Dialogue: Do my characters sound like

themselves and no one else?4. Point of View: Is the right person narrating this

scene?5. Scene & Sequel (Narration vs. Summary)6. Is my writing as clean as it can be?7. … Is it too clean?

References02:31:10 Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni

Browne & Dave King Steering the Craft by Ursula K. LeGuin