Lydia
asked
Jessica Day George:
What advice do you have for editing a book after the first draft? I can always get it on paper, and then am completely stuck for editing. Also, I just want to say how much I love your books, especially The Rose Legacy and the Tuesdays at the Castle books. They always get me out of a reading slump!
Jessica Day George
First of all: Thank you so much, I'm so glad you love my books!
But to answer your editing question: I don't. I usually run the first draft by my agent, who points out any big problems (since as the author I'm too close to the project to see its flaws). I'll fix those, which are usually things like there's like the middle goes on too long, and the ending is too fast, and then it goes to the publisher, where a professional editor goes over it with a fine toothed comb and really digs in to any flaws. I make all the changes myself, I discuss with the editor what needs to be done (make the villain's motivation stronger, plant clues throughout, etc). But I don't attempt to edit alone. If you're not working with an agent or publisher, I would have a friend whose taste you trust (they read a lot, especially your genre) read over it and flag those problem areas.
Best of luck to you!
But to answer your editing question: I don't. I usually run the first draft by my agent, who points out any big problems (since as the author I'm too close to the project to see its flaws). I'll fix those, which are usually things like there's like the middle goes on too long, and the ending is too fast, and then it goes to the publisher, where a professional editor goes over it with a fine toothed comb and really digs in to any flaws. I make all the changes myself, I discuss with the editor what needs to be done (make the villain's motivation stronger, plant clues throughout, etc). But I don't attempt to edit alone. If you're not working with an agent or publisher, I would have a friend whose taste you trust (they read a lot, especially your genre) read over it and flag those problem areas.
Best of luck to you!
More Answered Questions
Hannah M.
asked
Jessica Day George:
I was wondering if you had any characters, items, places, dialogues, etc. that you have taken out of your stories that I could use for a story idea that I had? The idea is about an island where every story piece that was given up on, thrown out or abandoned ends up. I've been asking authors if they have anything I could use because I want to put some truth in the idea. It's fine if you don't have anything. Thanks! :)
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