Clean up on Aisle 9 - Revision Tips for Writers

As I’m writing a new project, I keep a daily track of my word count to show progress. I’m a list maker, so that gives me a visual that I’m getting closer to the end game. And there is nothing more exciting than typing, “The End.” When the euphoria wears off, that’s when the realization that revisions are coming. I think editing is the hardest part of the writing process. Here are some things that I include in (many) revision cycles.

1. Run spell check after each editing session. No matter how careful you are, mistakes are made during revisions.

2. After each round of major edits, I print a copy and read it on paper. I find more errors this way than I do on the computer screen.

3. Make a list of your overused words. Mine are “just,” “that,” and “in a few minutes.” Use your find and replace feature to located and eradicate them.

4. My editor and agent have style guides. I always go through these checklists before sending a manuscript over for review.

5. Look for excessive use of dialogue tags (he said/she said) and mop ‘em up.

6. If you write a series, make sure the characters don’t pop up in the wrong book. I’ve done this before. My PI showed up by accident in another WIP.

7. Look for the “be” words (are, is, was, were). They’re indications that you’re “telling” the reader and not showing. Rewrite these sentences. They’re also weak verbs. You can make your story stronger by using active verbs.

8. Look at all the opening paragraphs of your chapters. Make sure they are unique and interesting. You want to draw the reader in.

9. Look at the closing paragraphs of each chapter. You don’t want to wrap things up too nicely and give the reader a chance to stop for the night. Make sure there is tension. Make your reader read past her bedtime.

10. Don’t short change your opportunities to build tension. Sometimes, we’re so excited to move on to the next thing in our story that we don’t take time to build tension around important scenes. Go back and look for these opportunities.

11. Look for long sections of dialogue and long paragraphs of description. Can you tighten these up to move the story along?

What would you add to my list?

Book Signings 101

We launched Virginia is for Mysteries last January. Since then, we've done quite a few book signings, panels, and presentations for our anthology. Here's what I've learned...

1. Always have lots of pens and give-aways with you. I had my only pen dry up at our book launch.

2. Stand up at your signings. It makes you look more approachable. I learned this from Lisa Scottoline at the Virginia Festival of the Book.

3. Always bring candy, and it should be chocolate. Thanks, Mary Burton for the tip.

4. Create a supply bag. Include tape, pens, camera, bookmarks, business cards, and anything else you could need.

5. If you're in a large room and you wear makeup, you may want to go with darker colors, so the folks in the back can see you.

6. Ladies, paint your nails. Everyone is looking at your hands.

7. When you schedule a signing, always ask about the location. We did an outside venue in January. And even though they had a heated tent, it was freezing.

8. Even if someone else is selling your books, keep a box with you. We had two signings where the bookstores ran out.

9. Always have something to give away. Print bookmarks, postcards, or business cards with your social media contacts. Don't forget to put your ISBN# on your materials.

10. I bought a fold-up handcart on Amazon. It's great if you're toting boxes of books to different venues.

Happy Book Signings!