Editing Down versus Editing Up

I learned something new the other day.

Did you know there was such a thing as editing down verses editing up?

Me, neither.

I read an excellent article on Critique Circle called Working with an Editor by John Berkowitz. While his article was focused with the particulars of hiring editorial services, I did take home the value of various types of editing.

Many years ago, I belonged to a critique group. Many of these writers were EDITING UP type of critiquers, focusing on grammar, punctuation and sentence structure, in other words, the minutiae of the story. This type of critiquing worked for this particular group, but the writing I submitted was raw, first draft stuff. Nowhere near ready for this type of critique. They tried to help me, and I tried harder to give them what they needed. Eventually, I left the group. I probably should have left earlier, but everyone was too nice to tell me that we didn't work well together, and I was too obtuse to figure it out on my own.

While this type of critique is beneficial, BUT only at the right time. If you end up deleting 30,000-words because 1) you started at the wrong spot, 2) the plot/characters/story are weak and need serious work and tweaking it simply won't work, or, 3) world-building or structure needs an overhaul, then you have wasted everyone's time and effort.

This type of editing is the last step prior to proofreading before submitting to a publisher (whether self-publishing, searching for an agent, or submitting to a traditional publisher).

On the other hand, I have always known I'm an editing down type of critiquer, though I didn't know this was a thing. I also use this technique to judge writing contest entries. And don't ever ask me to edit for grammar/punctuation, it is NOT my forte.

When I look at someone's writing, I look for flow, big picture items, and the "does this make sense" sort of stuff.

This is also how I approach my own writing.

Recently, I wrote a 1,000-word short fanfic story called "LAST WILD DRAGON", as an homage to the late, great Anne McCaffrey. I'll post it tomorrow.

I look at the big picture flow, then I work on each paragraph, and then individual sentences. I had the added challenge of making this story fit the parameters of a contest:

In 1,000 words or less, write yourself into a scene set in the world of your favorite book!

I think I edited this short about six times, but I still would find weird mistakes, or flow problems. I had one stupid sentence that needed to be in the story, but after tweaking and editing the story so much this sentence didn't fit in the paragraph it had been originally placed.

So I cut it.

Cutting it from the paragraph made the story flow better.

And then, I found a better spot to place the rewritten version of this sentence, not the original sentence as it was written.

Everyone should learn to edit their own work. It's hard. And it doesn't get any easier, but you do learn how to write to engage your reader, to bring them into your world.

Because that is the whole purpose of writing is sharing your story, isn't it?

Write on!

Writing 101 : Critiquing vs. Judging

As I finish judging a packet of contest entries, I thought about the differences between being a contest judge and being in a critique group.

They are NOT the same thing.

Both groups can benefit the writer if the writer realizes what each group brings to the table.

The following is just my opinion on the topic-- 

Critique groups:

• offer support
• brainstorm
• meet on a regular basis
• gently point out story problems
• will correct your grammar
• will offer solutions to various story problems
• know your story inside and out
• offer sympathy when perceived bashing occurs from a contest judge 

Contest judges:

• MUST follow the criteria set by the contest 
• MUST score according to the the contest score sheets
• MUST give an educated opinion about what does or doesn't work with a submission
• have never seen your story before and must score on the story's merit, flaws and all. 
• must explain why a score of 3 (or less) out of 5 is given on any one judging criteria
• must score opening scene, plot/pacing, characterization, writing technique, conflict, dialogue/narrative technique, sub-genre criteria, and the one this judge hates the most--romantic relationship. Many times the romantic relationship isn't established in the minimal length of a contest entry. And, unless a synopsis is provided, can't give a good score on this element. Our judging hands are tied. 
• If we are judging a paranormal entry, then there had better be some paranormal elements. Remember, if you remove the paranormal aspect and the story falls apart, then it is a solid paranormal story. These points should be easy to get. 

These are just a few examples of the different between a crit group and a judge. 

Contest judges are unpaid and under appreciated for the time and energy they use to score your submission. True, there are many judges out there who will simply put a number down and not comment, or will wait to the last minute to look at their entries and just throw scores out there. 

But there are contest judges who, to the best of their abilities, will try to give you feedback on your submission. 

Remember, we have never seen your story before, so we can give you our first impression. 

If we say that something doesn't make sense, it's because it doesn't. 

The contest judge doesn't know your story, or the back story of the main characters. We don't know all the versions of your story. We don't know anything, EXCEPT what you have submitted. If it doesn't make sense, or we are confused, then you failed in your ability to tell an engaging story. 

Don't go whining to your crit group about how mean and horrible this particular judge was. Instead, step away from your story and critically look at it from the judge's point of view. If you are scored low on some element, read the criteria for that element, and try to find out what was missing in your story.

Look at it this way: contest judges will give you input as to what is wrong with your story, while agents/editors will simply send you a form rejection.

It might not be the comments you want to hear, as we are not here to stroke your ego, to fix your grammar, or tell you how to fix your story. 

We simply comment on what we read.   

It's your job as a writer to write effectively. 

Later, Peeps!

A writer's needs

A few days before the holidays, I pestered my friend Cyndi into reading the first few chapters of my new urban fantasy. Now, Cyndi had been present when DD had a discussion about my writing, focusing, and what she's looking for in a story. Thus my SOS out to Cyndi. Poor lady had been sick in bed with a tummy bug and had totally forgotten about my story--that and Christmas and her having to plan their escape to Florida, blah, blah, blah. Yeah, yeah, she should have been concentrating on ME! But that's another egocentric topic. :-)

Anyhoo, I told her that I wanted her to read it WITHOUT critiquing it--tough call for a writer. Writer's tend to dink with words, whether it is their own work or not. During the interim of her reading the story, we sent out a flurry of emails to each other. I don't need someone line editing me, or trying to make a romance out of a non-romantic UF, or putting their spin on MY story. I needed someone to catch the things that didn't ring true for the character, plot or situation. So, I didn't want a crit, but I DID want her impression when she read it. And afterward, she emailed me her positive and negative comments.

And, boy, did she deliver.

She gave me some definite negative comments that I needed to work out before continuing with my story. Did I get upset or defensive? Hell, no! (Now, if she'd tried to 'fix' the story, yeah, I would have gotten pissed--but that's my flaw) Cyndi commented on the things that pulled her out of the story. Things that didn't feel 'right' with the way I had set up the situation. She clearly pointed out the problem areas.

And I've been thinking about her comments and how I'll fix them in the story, but first I have to send the two 'children'--one child and one child-like adult--back to school and work, respectively, and wait until the fifth of January to implement my changes. Now, I don't know if this is what DD is looking for as there might be too much humor in the darkness. But what can I say? The humor sort of slips out at the most inconvenient times. But one thing I can say is that I've found my writing voice. . .

And now I have a wonderful CP who can give me what I need. I like to think I can reciprocate in the same manner. Thanks, Cyndi!

Write On!

P.S. Start thinking about your 2009 goals! What can you do to make it the best possible writing year?

To crit or to be critted, THAT is the question. . .

Critique: an act of criticizing.
Criticize: to consider the merits or demerits of and judge accordingly.
--tends to give a negative impact on the writing
--but critters who only have wonderful things to say about your work aren't helping you become a better writer. They are stroking your ego, not helping you improve your craft.

Writing is a very personal and emotional expression of one's self. And when we offer our work up to be critiqued, we are opening ourselves up . . . and we tend to get our feelings hurt in the process, especially in the beginning of a writer's career. I'll quote a cliche that I chant as a personal mantra: "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger."

As new writers we have to know what does and doesn't work, so we can fix it in our writing. Critiquing will help you to accomplish that goal, but you have to take that first step. And no, your loved ones and family members will NOT give you their true opinion, unless they happen to be writers, and then, they still might candy-coat it. You must find writers who write in the genre you are trying to break into. Having romance writers critique a horror story might help you develop some aspects of the story, but they don't have real knowledge of the horror genre and what it takes to make the story salable. You can benefit from their input, but after awhile you will have to spread your wings and fly.

1) You must be able to trust the person giving the critique: I think this is the #1 criteria for a valuable critique partnership.
--they should NEVER take your idea to write their own story
--they should never try to undermine your confidence. This is where it helps knowing, and trusting, the person critting you. Some people (me) tend to shoot from the hip as critters. And this can seem abrasive, harsh, and brutal to outside observers, but I won't usually be that blunt unless I think and know you can do better.
--you should never think your critters have an agenda. Again, the trust issue. If you don't trust them to give you an honest opinion, why are you asking them for it?
2) Critiquing is subjective: use the rule of 3. For example, if you get 3 critters that comment the lack of emotion in your submission, then you have a problem. Fix the emotional element.
3) Learn from the critique: When a person starts writing, they usually don't have a grasp of all the basics from grammar and punctuation to characterization and plot. But if you are told by the crit group that you must punctuate your dialogue in a specific manner--DO IT! There is nothing worse than critting someone who won't learn. That is pure laziness and disrespectful of the critter's time and effort.
4) If the critter has a problem with something, they should help pinpoint the problem area or offer suggestions on how to fix it. For example, "I hate your heroine!" doesn't help you figure out WHY. But "Your heroine is awfully whiny for a thirty year old" does suggest where the problem is and a place to start fixing.

That's it for now. I know I have more suggestions, but I'm drawing a Monday morning blank.
REMEMBER, this is your story. Good critters want to help you make your story the best it can possibly be. Take the suggestions that work and toss the others.