Why is it that I can read something I've written ten times over looking for mistakes, think I've found them all, then once I post it for critique, I'll look at it again and find a dozen more mistakes?
I posted Chp 21 (aka the love scene from hell) for critique after doing a final review this morning. When I got to work I logged into my critique group and brought up the file to read to help pass the time (have I mentioned my boring day job?). As I'm reading away, I start to see all the areas that I could fix, make better. Words and phrases that became repetitive, things that needed to be added, a few that could be taken away.
Granted, for the most part, the chapter is a vast improvement over its original state, but it still needs some spiffing up. But it will have to wait. I think I need some distance on it before I can jump back in with a fresh mind and fix all the little things now being called to my attention.
It seems no matter how many times you rewrite something, there's always one more thing you can do to make it better.
3 comments:
This happens to all of us! Imagine my horror last year opening up the chapters I'd submitted to the GH, only to find about FIVE typos in the first few pages. Arrggghh.
That's why cps are so wonderful :-)
I'm far too dependent on grammarcheck and spellcheck for my own good. I don't really have a regular cp but before I submit, I usually have someone proofread it for me.
The distance thing is a good idea. Putting it aside for a few days or even a week or so will help give you a fresh outlook. And sometimes this is a good thing! I've done that before and then read what I wrote, thinking, "Wow, this isn't half bad!" :-)
Post a Comment