Wednesday 4 November 2015

Insecure Writer's Support Group (Nov)

Purpose: To share and encourage. 
Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kind



Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and this month's super co-hosts,  Stephen Tremp, Karen Walker, Denise Covey, and Tyrean Martinson

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With a first draft completed I will shortly enter the editing cave again. I actually enjoy this stage so I am not too worried about the process, I like improving things and fleshing out characters and plot. What I am anxious about is keeping a consistent voice. I am worried that in the middle of the story the POV character's voice goes flat, so I suspect this is where most of my work will be.

Has anyone else come across this problem? Do you have any tips for ensuring consistency of voice?

33 comments:

  1. Suzanne good luck with your writing, I would love to write a novel but I am content with writing poetry, I have started my 4th book, I am taking my time and checking mistakes as I go along.
    Have a good day.
    Yvonne.

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  2. I've been working on edits for a long time now. I use the word "working" loosely! Hopefully I'll actually get some done this month :)
    Good luck with your edits!

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    1. Good luck to you too, Laura, hope you get some editing done.

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  3. Hi Suzanne - sounds as though you have the process under control ... I can imagine the flat voice would be challenging to change up ... good luck - cheers Hilary

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  4. Good luck with your revisions! I think you'll do fine :)

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  5. Brilliant - you've reached the dreaded editing cave! My problem with character's voices is that the quieter characters sometimes get overpowered by the more forceful characters. You could try picturing a real person (someone you know - or maybe someone from a book or film) who is similar to your character and try to work out what *they* would say. I suppose extra work on your own character might throw up some fresh insights too - there are lots of questionnaires online asking 'what is your character's favourite colour or song or worst nightmare etc'. Of course reading the dialogue out loud is always helpful too. Unless visitors turn up suddenly and quietly. Good luck xx

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    1. Oh yeah I've been caught out with the whole reading out loud thing! Think I might try composing a more detailed character analysis and see if that helps. I am looking forward to diving in anyway and seeing what happens. Thanks for stopping by, Helen xx

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  6. I can't offer any solid advice I'm afraid - it's been so long since I've edited a first draft that I can barely remember the process anymore! But reading your MS out loud might help - that way, you can hear if your character's voice sounds a bit off, or if they're going off on a tangent. Best of luck with your edits!

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    1. Thanks Rachel. I do like reading things out loud although you have to wait till everyone goes out or you get some funny comments!

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  7. I usually find I keep a consistent voice, so haven't had that issue yet.

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  8. I think just knowing the ins and outs of your character will help. Congratulations on finishing your first draft!

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    1. Thank you, Deborah. Getting to know characters is very important.

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  9. Editing is my favorite part!
    Read some of it out loud. That will help you with voice.

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  10. I wouldn't mind the editing cave if I had any idea what I was doing in the revision stage. I suppose (hope) that will come in time, but in the meantime, revisions drive me crazy.

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  11. I do an edit for each character where I go through the entire story focusing JUST on their scenes and motivations. We'll call it an intensive. That's the point at which I worry about them being flat. Not the second draft.

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    1. That sounds like an excellent idea, especially if you have a number of characters to keep track off. Thanks, Crystal.

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    2. And I do have a # of characters. I call it the Dicken's infection. I hope the approach helps in your edits!

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  12. Best of luck in the editing cave. If I know there's one particular problem with a draft, then I'll try to edit while just focusing on that problem and save the rest for later.

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    1. I think I work this way too, Emma. Will definitely be reading and editing with a view to voice to start with anyway. Thanks for the comment.

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  13. I use the second draft to really pull together the story I want to tell - the first draft is just a splurge of random ideas. Good luck!

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  14. Suzanne, I can relate. So I write an epic moment that is close to but not as good as a climatic ending. That means there is a little down time between the two, but the reader deserves a little breather. But not too much.

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  15. Hi Suzanne,

    I wish you the very best in your editing cave. I wish I could offer you advice. However, when it comes to editing, that's something quite alien to me. I'm just an amateur writing for therapy.

    Wishing you well, Suzanne.

    Gary

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  16. I hope you're doing well in your editing cave. I got in mine and started the week on fire! But that's now fizzled out as I do social media stuff and blog commitments. Have a lovely weekend and get a lot of editing done! :)

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  17. I used to dread the editing stage, but now I look forward to it. Not only does it mean I have a draft, but I get to tear it apart and hopefully make it better.

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