Choosing what to edit out?

Discussion in 'Revision and Editing' started by NK_UT, Dec 13, 2019.

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  1. NK_UT

    NK_UT Active Member

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    A text to speech app! What a brilliant suggestion! That would have never crossed my mind!

    I have found that I naturally tend towards what you describe here; lots of save files with revision numbers, and editing as I go followed up by broad editing passes when I get stuck on whether or not a plot element or sequence makes sense within the broader context of the story.
     
  2. NK_UT

    NK_UT Active Member

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    How interesting!

    I ended up doing the same thing with what I'm working on, now. I found that certain segments of the book I'm working on now fit very well within the universe, but had little to do with the plot I was working with. Instead, I cut them out and have been editing them into roughly 3o-50 page short stories. This has been very helpful to me, as it's given me a chance to get a clearer understanding of what events have transpired within the city of NorCap, leading up to the events that FN-528 is facing.

    I've now come out with manuscripts for two short novels (around 120k-140k words each), and a third about half-way done, that comprise one cohesive storyline following FN-528 on his journey. The bonus here is that in addition, I have six short stories that happen adjacent to the main plotline, and are affected by and affect the main plotline.
     
  3. NK_UT

    NK_UT Active Member

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    Vocabulary is an area that I struggle in. Before leaving the US, my vocabulary was fairly expansive. Living abroad and having little need for spoken English has sapped me of a lot of my vocabulary. Your suggestion about using google is a good one. I need to read more books, though, and get back some of that vocab.
     
  4. NK_UT

    NK_UT Active Member

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    Good goal! I should learn from you.
     
  5. Righmath

    Righmath New Member

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    Hey,

    My work currently stands around 43k but I also estimate it will be around 150-200k words. Now, I'm like you and also have no experience but I'm not worried about the word count.

    The Name of the Wind, one of my inspirations is 250k words long. Each of Tolkien's books from the LOTR trilogy also between 130-180k words. So from that logic I figured the direction I was heading is correct.

    Hope that helps
     
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  6. big soft moose

    big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

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    A story is as long as it needs to be... my shortest book is 28k, my longest is 110k .. while writing the first draft don't worry about the length.

    when editing its not a great idea to edit for length per se... cut that which needs to be cut for story purposes, add that which needs to be added... and the finished product is as long as it is.

    that said first books are nearly always longer than they need to be just through in experience in word craft and story telling... my first book was 135k before it went to my editor... after her edits it was 107k
     
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  7. GraceLikePain

    GraceLikePain Senior Member

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    I'll follow the crowd and say make it as long as it has to be now and then edit back later as you see problems/have beta readers/talk to editors. Moreover, even if your book is longer than general, if it's good it's good, and you shouldn't let length put you off if the manuscript is in a satisfactory place.
     
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