RomanticFridayWriters is going on hiatus in November, so the hosts and other members and friends can devote more time to NaNoWriMo. Unless you've been asleep under a rock, you'll know this is the month of allocated writing frenzy where you sign up to write 50,000 words of a novel. By tapping out about 1,500 words a day, you will reach the goal. There's lots of cool gadgets and stuff to help your motivation and writing buddies to cheer you on.
So after the writing frenzy, the re-writing and editing begins, until you're ready to submit your masterpiece of a manuscript. I came across this very useful checklist in Writer's Digest, by Sage Cohen which I've been using on my current projects before submitting and will keep on using it.
On the RomanticFridayWriters website, you'll find lots of publications waiting for your work. Before you submit your work, Sage suggests you tick these boxes:
c Have I completed the three-step revision process - big picture to nitty gritty?
c Have I reviewed and revised this story at least three times?
c Has this piece had time to 'settle' before its final full revision?
c Have I carefully proofed for spelling, grammar, consistent verb tense, and an overall cohesive reader experience?
c Have I done everything in my power to make the craft of the piece - language, action, imagery, dialogue, narrative arc, use of line and stanza, voice, POV - as powerful as it can be? (Make your own craft checklist for your particular genre of writing, and tick off each item each time you revise to ensure that you're covering all your bases.)
c Has this piece been read and edited by at least one colleague or adviser whose expertise and opinion I trust?
c Have I run spell checker?
c Have I made sure there are no strange formatting errors or page breaks?
c Where have I said something that could be simpler or clearer?
c Does this piece integrate and reflect the knowledge I've gained working with (or being rejected by) this (or a similar editor/agent in the past - if applicable)?
c Does it integrate and reflect what I've learned about being productive and successful with this genre of style of writing in this type of market?
c Does this meet stated submission guidelines such as word count, formatting, packaging, presentation, topic and/or theme?
c Does this meet the objectives stated in my assignment contract or my own stated creative goals?
c What does my gut say? Am I really finished, or is there more work to do here even if I'm not exactly sure what that work is yet?
HAPPY SUBMITTING FELLOW WRITERS! And enjoy NaNoWriMo if you're participating.
The next RomanticFridayWriters challenge is for Halloween. As always, open to all writers and poets - you can sign up here and post your story/poem on October 19.
So after the writing frenzy, the re-writing and editing begins, until you're ready to submit your masterpiece of a manuscript. I came across this very useful checklist in Writer's Digest, by Sage Cohen which I've been using on my current projects before submitting and will keep on using it.
On the RomanticFridayWriters website, you'll find lots of publications waiting for your work. Before you submit your work, Sage suggests you tick these boxes:
c Have I completed the three-step revision process - big picture to nitty gritty?
c Have I reviewed and revised this story at least three times?
c Has this piece had time to 'settle' before its final full revision?
c Have I carefully proofed for spelling, grammar, consistent verb tense, and an overall cohesive reader experience?
c Have I done everything in my power to make the craft of the piece - language, action, imagery, dialogue, narrative arc, use of line and stanza, voice, POV - as powerful as it can be? (Make your own craft checklist for your particular genre of writing, and tick off each item each time you revise to ensure that you're covering all your bases.)
c Has this piece been read and edited by at least one colleague or adviser whose expertise and opinion I trust?
c Have I run spell checker?
c Have I made sure there are no strange formatting errors or page breaks?
c Where have I said something that could be simpler or clearer?
c Does this piece integrate and reflect the knowledge I've gained working with (or being rejected by) this (or a similar editor/agent in the past - if applicable)?
c Does it integrate and reflect what I've learned about being productive and successful with this genre of style of writing in this type of market?
c Does this meet stated submission guidelines such as word count, formatting, packaging, presentation, topic and/or theme?
c Does this meet the objectives stated in my assignment contract or my own stated creative goals?
c What does my gut say? Am I really finished, or is there more work to do here even if I'm not exactly sure what that work is yet?
- Check out literary agent Scott Eagan's recent post on revising.
HAPPY SUBMITTING FELLOW WRITERS! And enjoy NaNoWriMo if you're participating.
The next RomanticFridayWriters challenge is for Halloween. As always, open to all writers and poets - you can sign up here and post your story/poem on October 19.
