How to Edit efficiently, in 1 month?

• Editing is the final part of your Book’s production.
• Editing is a daunting task.
• Editing a Book in a month may seem even more daunting.
• Even so, the time limit may allow you to be more efficient & less likely to be bored by the process.

Summary – 5 steps to editing a book in a Month

1. Proofread grammar & orthograph.
2. Review the Last chapter‘s cohesion.
3. Review the 1st chapter‘s cohesion.
4. Review each other chapter‘s cohesion.
5. For each Scene, you should be able to answer these questions :
   1. What’s the Atmosphere/Emotion targeted?
   2. What’s the Issue?
   3. What are the Stakes?
   4. What’s the Outcome?

On Proofreading

• Priority
• While writing you’ll want to focus on :
  • Long sentences
  • Misspellings
  • Missing words
• Once you’ve finished the 1st draft you’ll still focus on those.
• But you’ll read differently.
• You will want to read slower.
• And even read some passages in reverse.
  • Especially useful for dialogues.

• Vocabulary
• Use a Thesaurus.
• Before starting to write, define 4 Main Themes.
• And review each Theme’s semantic fields.
• Give yourself options.
• Use Diverse vocabulary.
  • Look for word Repetition.
  • Look for Overused words.
• Use Specific vocabulary.
  • Semantic specificity elevates your Worldbuilding.
  • Limit your use of adverbs.

• Short Sentences
• You need up to 5 words.
  • Articles don’t count as words.
• Short sentences are easier to read.
• Easier to edit.
• Easier to understand for the Character.
• Shorter sentences have a better rhythm.
• They’re more adapted to dialogues.
• And to action scenes.

• The Main goal : Clarity
• Clear doesn’t mean Oblivious.
• Display all the essential Information.
• And let the public look for what’s not essential.
• Here are 2 questions to ensure you’re Clear :
  • Which Information does the Character need?
  • Which Information does the Public need?
• How can you be Clear without boring the Public?
• Balance Familiarity & Surprise.
• Create the right level of predictability.
• Predictability creates Engagement.
• If you need to repeat a piece of Information, add a Twist.
  • ex – Cain : “Why did they attack the bank?” (chapter 1)
    • Cain : “Was the map in the bank?” (chapter 3)

If you want to know more about Clarity.



General Cohesion

• Choose your Themes
• And create everything around it.
• Choose 4 Main Themes.
• And spread them through the Story.
• 1 Theme along 3 Chapters.
• Read their Definition.
• Review their Semantic Fields.
• If you’re not satisfied, redefine them.
• Think about Word Relationships & Etymology.
• Try to avoid Connotations, and rather focus on the word’s Meaning.

• Everyone’s Perspective
• Start the developmental editing by checking the Last chapter‘s cohesion.
• If the End is Consistent & Coherent, the rest is likely to be.
• As for the Themes, you need to revise your definition of Consistency & Coherence.
• And then read the Story, by using these definition.
• You want to adopt 2 Perspectives :
• The Story’s perspective.
  • How are the Themes developed?
  • How’s the General progression?
  • How’s the Rhythm?
• Each Character’s.
  • Which Information is available?
  • Which Information is needed?

• I edit 3 chapters per Week.
• Why edit every 3 chapters?
• It’s an Ideal duration.
• It’ s more Incremental.
• It ensures better coherence.
• And reinforce consistency.

• The best way to preserve Cohesion : Make a Map.
• Draw the Main Locations.
• And the Limits of your World.
• A map will make your Characterization easier :
  • Dialogues get more Specific.
  • Integrate Quirks in an Environment.
  • Quotes & Preferred Words start to make sense.

If you want to know more about Cohesion.



The easy way to write a Scene

• 1 Emotion
• Atmosphere
• Colors
• Semantic field
• Rhythm
• Crisis or Comfort?

• 1 Action
• Issue
• Stakes
• Resolution
• Outcome
• Aftermath

• 1 Main Character
• Goal
• Quirk
• Behavior
• Relationships with other Characters

If you want to know more about Improvise Scenes.

The Process

• 1st week – Chapter 1 to 3
• Introduction scene, Chapter 1
  • Clear, contrasted Atmosphere
  • Definition of main Goal
  • Draw the Introduction Scene
• Protagonist & Antagonist characterization
  • Quirks
  • Behavioral Description
  • Draw the Characters
• 1st Crisis, Chapter 3
  • Threat – Visible Antagonist
  • Define the Threat
  • Define the Stakes
  • Define the Outcome

• 2nd week – Chapter 4 to 6
• Consequences of Chapter 3
  • Clear, contrasted Atmosphere
  • Focus on main Goal
  • Draw the Scene
• Supporters & Opponents characterization
  • Quirks
  • Behavioral Description
  • Draw the Characters
• 2nd Crisis, Chapter 6
  • Menace – Hidden Antagonist
  • Define the Menace
  • Define the Stakes
  • Define the Outcome

• 3rd week – Chapter 7 to 8
• Consequences of Chapter 6
  • Clear, contrasted Atmosphere
  • Focus on main Goal
  • Draw the Scene
• Supporters & Opponents characterization
  • Quirks
  • Behavioral Description
  • Draw the Characters
• Preparation to Last Crisis
  • Reassess the Main Goal
  • Define the Menace’s weaknesses
  • Define how it can be overcame

• 4th week – Chapter 9 to 10
• 3rd Crisis, Chapter 9
  • Menace – Hidden Antagonist
  • Define the Menace
  • Define the Stakes
  • Define the Outcome
• Supporters & Opponents characterization
  • Quirks
  • Behavioral Description
  • Draw the Characters
• Epilogue
  • Define the Stakes
  • Define the Outcome
  • Define the Aftermath

If you want to know more about Story Planification.