I’m currently editing a long story on a short deadline and preparing to speak to a high school creative writing class about revising and editing their own work. Consequently, I find myself following some of the advice I’m about to give the students.
With editing and revisions in mind, I have confessions to make.
- I usually write stories in chronological order, then decide to rearrange pieces after I’ve finished the first draft.
- This means I rarely start a story in the “right” place. So my opening frequently changes between the first and final draft.
- While I usually remember to avoid vague words like “big, little, large, small, short, tall” and words that unnecessarily weaken statements like “perhaps and maybe,” I still have to check the draft and remove vague or useless words.
- I use too many “-ly” adverbs to modify verbs which should be replaced by stronger verbs, requiring me to edit them out and replace the verbs.
- I sometimes use too many dialog tags which should be replaced by actions that paint a better picture of my characters.
- My first drafts rarely include descriptions for setting or for characters. I almost always insert descriptive details in a later draft, layering in information after the plot is set.
- I still have to excise the words “really” and “just,” even after years of training myself to avoid them.
- I have to remove variations of “I think I…” or “I guess I…” in statements made by characters.
- Character names sometimes change after the story is written. I’ve misnamed many characters on the first attempt. (I’m lucky I didn’t do that with my children.)
Once I complete all that, I have to make MS Word read the story to me to find dropped words, typos, and misplaced commas. On the plus side, I have learned to write faster, especially when I have a deadline. It doesn’t matter if the first draft is ugly. That’s why editing and revision exist.
Because as multiple authors have said before me, you can’t edit a blank page.
On a side note: Congratulations to all the winners at Bouchercon Calgary! Going to Calgary wasn’t in the cards for me this year. I hope to make it to a convention next year.
News:
The Short Mystery Fiction Society and Murderous Ink Press have produced a new mystery magazine! The SMFS Mystery Magazine Volume 1, issue 1 is now available for sale. It has stories, reviews, interviews, and a short essay by me!
N.M. Cedeño writes short fiction. Her story entitled “A Reasonable Expectation of Privacy” placed third for Best Short Story in the 2013 Analog Readers Poll. Her story “Predators and Prey” was selected for the “Other Distinguished Mystery and Suspense of 2024” list in Best American Mysteries and Suspense 2025. For information on her stories, please visit nmcedeno.com!
