Editing THE SCOURGE, pt 2 Jennifer Nielsen May 30, 2015

Editing THE SCOURGE, pt 2

 

change_next_exitThe first edit for THE SCOURGE was a read through of the total manuscript, filling in obvious holes like missing character names or big contradictions. It took me two days, and while some areas were better than I had remembered, some needed major surgery.

The word count increased by a little over 3000 words, putting it right now at 66,724.

I had intended to spend this weekend on another draft to fix those most problematic scenes, but then yesterday (while weeding the garden – ugh), I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, and the topic spurred my thinking about the ultimate secret of my story, and how with a slight adjustment, I could really heighten the story’s climax. I can’t tell you much more about it because hey – ULTIMATE SECRET OF THE STORY – but trust me, it’s good! I researched out possibilities last night and today I’m going to make that change. It will require some adjustments earlier in the story and the addition of a new scene about midway through the book, but it’s going to be a lot cooler, so the extra effort is worthwhile.

This is part of the reason I love editing, because that first draft built a structure to work within and now it’s time to explore possibilities for that story I wasn’t thinking about earlier. There should always be a plan for the edit, and that plan should always be open to change.

A NIght Divided FI#9F6F8253

Once the unplanned rewrite is finished, I’m headed in for major surgery, which should take me a good part of next week.

p.s. The playlist song for this revision is definitely “Breaking the Habit” by Linkin Park. The lyrics fit this book so well.

 

I will be posting before the next edit is complete. Look for a contest starting either Sunday or Monday to try winning an ARC for A NIGHT DIVIDED in anticipation of its publication on August 25. I really think you all will love this book!

9 Comments
  • Reply
    May 30, 2015, 6:59 pm

    I’ll be checking back pretty much every hour to try and win the ARC!!

  • Reply
    May 30, 2015, 7:04 pm

    I love how your posting the editing process. It’s really interesting to read. Also, really excited for the stories!

  • Reply
    May 31, 2015, 4:55 am

    Editing can be so tiring – but I’m glad you enjoy it. I’m so excited for Scourge – does have to do anything with the red, green, blue and yellow Post-It notes that are about Ani, Weevil, the conspiracy the uncover, and the enemy they make along the way? (You posted this in Birth of Rome and Other News.).
    I’m so excited for the A Night Divided ARC! It sounds so great, and I’m so positively sure I will love it!

    • Reply
      June 1, 2015, 4:11 am

      Yep – these are the post-it notes with Ani, Weevil, and the rest!

  • Reply
    May 31, 2015, 6:50 pm

    I can’t wait!!

  • Reply
    June 13, 2015, 10:42 pm

    But i wanna know what happens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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