SlideShare une entreprise Scribd logo
1  sur  32
Télécharger pour lire hors ligne
REAL REVISION A Gallery of Marked-up Manuscripts Created by author/teacher Kate Messner In celebration of the National Day on Writing  October 20, 2009 http://www.katemessner.com
When a publisher buys a book, a new round of revision begins with an editorial letter, a letter from the editor to the author with ideas for revision and suggestions for making the book better.
Kate Messner www.katemessner.com
A note from Kate: In addition to the editorial letter, my editor for THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. also sent a line-edited manuscript with questions and suggested changes on almost every page.  It’s kind of like when your teacher returns a paper to you, saying, “This is good. But you can do even better!”
Editors  and  authors make notes on manuscript pages during revisions.
 
Sarah Miller www.sarahmillerbooks.com
A note from Sarah: This is editing, round one. The flags show all the changes my editor wanted. Rather daunting, isn’t it?
 
Sara Lewis Holmes www.saralewisholmes.com
A note from Sara: This is a scene in which (my editor) Cheryl asked me convert excess narration to a more interactive dialogue between Bo and his dad that revealed their relationship.  Show, don't tell!
 
 
Kristin O’Donnell Tubb  www.kristintubb.com
A Note from Kristin:   The notes did not photograph well; the note in the left margin reads: "Re: 'all those mountains together': Aren't the balds sprinkled in among forested peaks? This makes it sound as if they're clustered."  The note in the right margin says: "The thing about balds is that normally trees would be expected to grow at that elevation in that climate.  The peaks aren't bald because the elevation is above the treeline in that area.  Pls. rewrite."  After receiving those notes, I did a little more research on balds themselves (they are, in fact, mountains with "bald" tops), and was delighted to find that they are a mystery to scientists - no one knows for sure why trees don't grow atop a bald.  That fact related well with Autumn Winifred Oliver, the main character who, like the balds, "does things different."  I was delighted that the wonderful copy editors pointed that out; I think the final opening scene benefitted from making the setting more mysterious.
 
Saundra Mitchell www.saundramitchell. com
A Note from Saundra: Even though I do my best on my first draft, it takes someone from the outside to tell me what I broke. Or what I never created. Or when I said something I totally didn't mean.  And sometimes that means cutting out entire paragraphs...pages... chapters... characters! It's not fun, but it's worth it. I'll always like the small revisions best, but the large ones make my book the best  it can be.
 
Claudia Osmond www.smudgesmark. com
A Note from Claudia: Don't be fooled and think that manuscripts are published exactly the way the author sent it to the publisher. Most authors, like myself, have to edit the content of their stories several times before they're printed. And that's not even counting the many times you have to correct spelling or punctuation errors along the way!  Revising may feel like a lot of work - which it is! - but if you're lucky enough to have someone help you who cares about your story as much as you do, the effort will be worth it, and you'll end up with a shiny piece of writing that you can be proud of.
 
Maria Padian  www.mariapadian. com
A note from Maria: The picture here is from my working journal.  Most days I begin my writing in a lined notebook, with a good ol' fashioned pen and paper.  I write about the characters in my current book as if they're real people; I journal about who they are, what they want, how they feel.  Their favorite foods and colors and the music on their iPods.  Somewhere along the way I pick up the thread of their story, and that's when I close the notebook and fire up the computer, because my brain starts moving too fast for my hand. Pictured on this page is the first iteration of a scene from Chapter Four in my new book, "Jersey Tomatoes are the Best."  At the time this was written, it was titled "Owning Henry."  This entry describes a scene where someone drops a bowl of very hot oatmeal, it hits the kitchen floor and spatters so spectacularly that oatmeal flies up to the celing.   What I realize from reading this entry, and comparing it to the "final" pages of the book, is that my characters say lots of things early on ... and I edit those comments down later.  One of my best writing teachers once said, "There are many words you may need to write that your readers may not need to read."
 
Crissa Chappell www.crissajeanchappell. com
A Note from Crissa: During the revision process, my editor asked a lot of questions. Do we need this? Already clear? etc. It was more about cutting things out and keeping it clean and mean...not filling up space with words. Very cool!
 
Kay Cassidy www.kaycassidy. com
A note from Kay: This page is from a polishing edit for THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY about midway through the polishing process.  The typed comment off to the side is from my final round of structural edits where I note minor scene elements that need improving but don't require a huge scene overhaul.  The rest of the polishing is done by hand for all the nitpicky wording choices (it's much easier for me to catch those on a hard copy) and also posing questions to myself to make sure everything makes sense and is well-motivated and justified for the character or situation.
 
REAL REVISION A Gallery of Marked-up Manuscripts Created by author/teacher Kate Messner In celebration of the National Day on Writing  October 20, 2009 http://www.katemessner.com

Contenu connexe

Similaire à Revisiongallery

Real Revision Workshop, Kate Messner, KSRA 2015
Real Revision Workshop, Kate Messner, KSRA 2015Real Revision Workshop, Kate Messner, KSRA 2015
Real Revision Workshop, Kate Messner, KSRA 2015Kate Messner
 
All write revision
All write revisionAll write revision
All write revisionKate Messner
 
Climbing writing’s everest
Climbing writing’s everestClimbing writing’s everest
Climbing writing’s everestcpilkington
 
A2 Media Coursework
A2 Media CourseworkA2 Media Coursework
A2 Media CourseworkML
 
A2 Media Coursework
A2  Media  CourseworkA2  Media  Coursework
A2 Media CourseworkML
 
Magazine Advert Research C
Magazine Advert Research CMagazine Advert Research C
Magazine Advert Research CPieter Jollans
 
Powerpoint recording the stages of what i did.
Powerpoint recording the stages of what i did.Powerpoint recording the stages of what i did.
Powerpoint recording the stages of what i did.osmithas
 
Jennifershirleyseniorprojectspeech
JennifershirleyseniorprojectspeechJennifershirleyseniorprojectspeech
JennifershirleyseniorprojectspeechJenniferShirley13
 
Bibliographywithmrhand
BibliographywithmrhandBibliographywithmrhand
Bibliographywithmrhandshankhead
 

Similaire à Revisiongallery (20)

Wsra revision
Wsra revisionWsra revision
Wsra revision
 
Real revision
Real revisionReal revision
Real revision
 
Real Revision Workshop, Kate Messner, KSRA 2015
Real Revision Workshop, Kate Messner, KSRA 2015Real Revision Workshop, Kate Messner, KSRA 2015
Real Revision Workshop, Kate Messner, KSRA 2015
 
Revision wwsu
Revision wwsuRevision wwsu
Revision wwsu
 
Revision
Revision Revision
Revision
 
All write revision
All write revisionAll write revision
All write revision
 
Climbing writing’s everest
Climbing writing’s everestClimbing writing’s everest
Climbing writing’s everest
 
Revision york
Revision yorkRevision york
Revision york
 
A2 Media Coursework
A2 Media CourseworkA2 Media Coursework
A2 Media Coursework
 
A2 Media Coursework
A2  Media  CourseworkA2  Media  Coursework
A2 Media Coursework
 
College Magazine
College MagazineCollege Magazine
College Magazine
 
College Magazine
College MagazineCollege Magazine
College Magazine
 
Magazine Advert Research C
Magazine Advert Research CMagazine Advert Research C
Magazine Advert Research C
 
Magazine design evaluation
Magazine design evaluationMagazine design evaluation
Magazine design evaluation
 
Powerpoint recording the stages of what i did.
Powerpoint recording the stages of what i did.Powerpoint recording the stages of what i did.
Powerpoint recording the stages of what i did.
 
Jennifershirleyseniorprojectspeech
JennifershirleyseniorprojectspeechJennifershirleyseniorprojectspeech
Jennifershirleyseniorprojectspeech
 
Bibliographywithmrhand
BibliographywithmrhandBibliographywithmrhand
Bibliographywithmrhand
 
Jordanspresentation
JordanspresentationJordanspresentation
Jordanspresentation
 
The Big Tomato
The Big TomatoThe Big Tomato
The Big Tomato
 
The Big Tomato
The Big TomatoThe Big Tomato
The Big Tomato
 

Plus de Kate Messner

Big-Picture Revision - NY20SCBWI - Kate Messner
Big-Picture Revision - NY20SCBWI - Kate MessnerBig-Picture Revision - NY20SCBWI - Kate Messner
Big-Picture Revision - NY20SCBWI - Kate MessnerKate Messner
 
Fresh approaches to informational picture books - NY20SCBWI - Kate Messner
Fresh approaches to informational picture books - NY20SCBWI - Kate MessnerFresh approaches to informational picture books - NY20SCBWI - Kate Messner
Fresh approaches to informational picture books - NY20SCBWI - Kate MessnerKate Messner
 
Revision panel ncte17
Revision panel ncte17 Revision panel ncte17
Revision panel ncte17 Kate Messner
 
Picture books as mentor texts
Picture books as mentor textsPicture books as mentor texts
Picture books as mentor textsKate Messner
 
Write to learn revision
Write to learn revisionWrite to learn revision
Write to learn revisionKate Messner
 
Write to learn mentor texts
Write to learn mentor textsWrite to learn mentor texts
Write to learn mentor textsKate Messner
 
Magical Mentors - Kate Messner's KSRA 2015 General Session
Magical Mentors - Kate Messner's KSRA 2015 General SessionMagical Mentors - Kate Messner's KSRA 2015 General Session
Magical Mentors - Kate Messner's KSRA 2015 General SessionKate Messner
 
Ncte mentor text panel
Ncte mentor text panelNcte mentor text panel
Ncte mentor text panelKate Messner
 
Science CLA Messner
Science CLA MessnerScience CLA Messner
Science CLA MessnerKate Messner
 
Letting kids lead york
Letting kids lead yorkLetting kids lead york
Letting kids lead yorkKate Messner
 

Plus de Kate Messner (20)

Big-Picture Revision - NY20SCBWI - Kate Messner
Big-Picture Revision - NY20SCBWI - Kate MessnerBig-Picture Revision - NY20SCBWI - Kate Messner
Big-Picture Revision - NY20SCBWI - Kate Messner
 
Fresh approaches to informational picture books - NY20SCBWI - Kate Messner
Fresh approaches to informational picture books - NY20SCBWI - Kate MessnerFresh approaches to informational picture books - NY20SCBWI - Kate Messner
Fresh approaches to informational picture books - NY20SCBWI - Kate Messner
 
Revision panel ncte17
Revision panel ncte17 Revision panel ncte17
Revision panel ncte17
 
Picture books as mentor texts
Picture books as mentor textsPicture books as mentor texts
Picture books as mentor texts
 
Write to learn revision
Write to learn revisionWrite to learn revision
Write to learn revision
 
Write to learn mentor texts
Write to learn mentor textsWrite to learn mentor texts
Write to learn mentor texts
 
Magical Mentors - Kate Messner's KSRA 2015 General Session
Magical Mentors - Kate Messner's KSRA 2015 General SessionMagical Mentors - Kate Messner's KSRA 2015 General Session
Magical Mentors - Kate Messner's KSRA 2015 General Session
 
Ksu keynote
Ksu keynoteKsu keynote
Ksu keynote
 
Ncte mentor text panel
Ncte mentor text panelNcte mentor text panel
Ncte mentor text panel
 
Science CLA Messner
Science CLA MessnerScience CLA Messner
Science CLA Messner
 
Wwsu
WwsuWwsu
Wwsu
 
Letting kids lead york
Letting kids lead yorkLetting kids lead york
Letting kids lead york
 
Mentors
MentorsMentors
Mentors
 
Mystery workshop
Mystery workshopMystery workshop
Mystery workshop
 
Research
ResearchResearch
Research
 
Who dunnit
Who dunnitWho dunnit
Who dunnit
 
Stories
StoriesStories
Stories
 
Letting kids lead
Letting kids leadLetting kids lead
Letting kids lead
 
K3 skype
K3 skypeK3 skype
K3 skype
 
Letting kids lead
Letting kids leadLetting kids lead
Letting kids lead
 

Dernier

ICS 2208 Lecture Slide Notes for Topic 6
ICS 2208 Lecture Slide Notes for Topic 6ICS 2208 Lecture Slide Notes for Topic 6
ICS 2208 Lecture Slide Notes for Topic 6Vanessa Camilleri
 
4.9.24 Social Capital and Social Exclusion.pptx
4.9.24 Social Capital and Social Exclusion.pptx4.9.24 Social Capital and Social Exclusion.pptx
4.9.24 Social Capital and Social Exclusion.pptxmary850239
 
CHUYÊN ĐỀ ÔN THEO CÂU CHO HỌC SINH LỚP 12 ĐỂ ĐẠT ĐIỂM 5+ THI TỐT NGHIỆP THPT ...
CHUYÊN ĐỀ ÔN THEO CÂU CHO HỌC SINH LỚP 12 ĐỂ ĐẠT ĐIỂM 5+ THI TỐT NGHIỆP THPT ...CHUYÊN ĐỀ ÔN THEO CÂU CHO HỌC SINH LỚP 12 ĐỂ ĐẠT ĐIỂM 5+ THI TỐT NGHIỆP THPT ...
CHUYÊN ĐỀ ÔN THEO CÂU CHO HỌC SINH LỚP 12 ĐỂ ĐẠT ĐIỂM 5+ THI TỐT NGHIỆP THPT ...Nguyen Thanh Tu Collection
 
Objectives n learning outcoms - MD 20240404.pptx
Objectives n learning outcoms - MD 20240404.pptxObjectives n learning outcoms - MD 20240404.pptx
Objectives n learning outcoms - MD 20240404.pptxMadhavi Dharankar
 
DiskStorage_BasicFileStructuresandHashing.pdf
DiskStorage_BasicFileStructuresandHashing.pdfDiskStorage_BasicFileStructuresandHashing.pdf
DiskStorage_BasicFileStructuresandHashing.pdfChristalin Nelson
 
Narcotic and Non Narcotic Analgesic..pdf
Narcotic and Non Narcotic Analgesic..pdfNarcotic and Non Narcotic Analgesic..pdf
Narcotic and Non Narcotic Analgesic..pdfPrerana Jadhav
 
MS4 level being good citizen -imperative- (1) (1).pdf
MS4 level   being good citizen -imperative- (1) (1).pdfMS4 level   being good citizen -imperative- (1) (1).pdf
MS4 level being good citizen -imperative- (1) (1).pdfMr Bounab Samir
 
Mythology Quiz-4th April 2024, Quiz Club NITW
Mythology Quiz-4th April 2024, Quiz Club NITWMythology Quiz-4th April 2024, Quiz Club NITW
Mythology Quiz-4th April 2024, Quiz Club NITWQuiz Club NITW
 
Q-Factor General Quiz-7th April 2024, Quiz Club NITW
Q-Factor General Quiz-7th April 2024, Quiz Club NITWQ-Factor General Quiz-7th April 2024, Quiz Club NITW
Q-Factor General Quiz-7th April 2024, Quiz Club NITWQuiz Club NITW
 
Tree View Decoration Attribute in the Odoo 17
Tree View Decoration Attribute in the Odoo 17Tree View Decoration Attribute in the Odoo 17
Tree View Decoration Attribute in the Odoo 17Celine George
 
PART 1 - CHAPTER 1 - CELL THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF LIFE
PART 1 - CHAPTER 1 - CELL THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF LIFEPART 1 - CHAPTER 1 - CELL THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF LIFE
PART 1 - CHAPTER 1 - CELL THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF LIFEMISSRITIMABIOLOGYEXP
 
Man or Manufactured_ Redefining Humanity Through Biopunk Narratives.pptx
Man or Manufactured_ Redefining Humanity Through Biopunk Narratives.pptxMan or Manufactured_ Redefining Humanity Through Biopunk Narratives.pptx
Man or Manufactured_ Redefining Humanity Through Biopunk Narratives.pptxDhatriParmar
 
4.11.24 Poverty and Inequality in America.pptx
4.11.24 Poverty and Inequality in America.pptx4.11.24 Poverty and Inequality in America.pptx
4.11.24 Poverty and Inequality in America.pptxmary850239
 
Indexing Structures in Database Management system.pdf
Indexing Structures in Database Management system.pdfIndexing Structures in Database Management system.pdf
Indexing Structures in Database Management system.pdfChristalin Nelson
 
31 ĐỀ THI THỬ VÀO LỚP 10 - TIẾNG ANH - FORM MỚI 2025 - 40 CÂU HỎI - BÙI VĂN V...
31 ĐỀ THI THỬ VÀO LỚP 10 - TIẾNG ANH - FORM MỚI 2025 - 40 CÂU HỎI - BÙI VĂN V...31 ĐỀ THI THỬ VÀO LỚP 10 - TIẾNG ANH - FORM MỚI 2025 - 40 CÂU HỎI - BÙI VĂN V...
31 ĐỀ THI THỬ VÀO LỚP 10 - TIẾNG ANH - FORM MỚI 2025 - 40 CÂU HỎI - BÙI VĂN V...Nguyen Thanh Tu Collection
 
Satirical Depths - A Study of Gabriel Okara's Poem - 'You Laughed and Laughed...
Satirical Depths - A Study of Gabriel Okara's Poem - 'You Laughed and Laughed...Satirical Depths - A Study of Gabriel Okara's Poem - 'You Laughed and Laughed...
Satirical Depths - A Study of Gabriel Okara's Poem - 'You Laughed and Laughed...HetalPathak10
 
BÀI TẬP BỔ TRỢ TIẾNG ANH 11 THEO ĐƠN VỊ BÀI HỌC - CẢ NĂM - CÓ FILE NGHE (GLOB...
BÀI TẬP BỔ TRỢ TIẾNG ANH 11 THEO ĐƠN VỊ BÀI HỌC - CẢ NĂM - CÓ FILE NGHE (GLOB...BÀI TẬP BỔ TRỢ TIẾNG ANH 11 THEO ĐƠN VỊ BÀI HỌC - CẢ NĂM - CÓ FILE NGHE (GLOB...
BÀI TẬP BỔ TRỢ TIẾNG ANH 11 THEO ĐƠN VỊ BÀI HỌC - CẢ NĂM - CÓ FILE NGHE (GLOB...Nguyen Thanh Tu Collection
 

Dernier (20)

ICS 2208 Lecture Slide Notes for Topic 6
ICS 2208 Lecture Slide Notes for Topic 6ICS 2208 Lecture Slide Notes for Topic 6
ICS 2208 Lecture Slide Notes for Topic 6
 
4.9.24 Social Capital and Social Exclusion.pptx
4.9.24 Social Capital and Social Exclusion.pptx4.9.24 Social Capital and Social Exclusion.pptx
4.9.24 Social Capital and Social Exclusion.pptx
 
CHUYÊN ĐỀ ÔN THEO CÂU CHO HỌC SINH LỚP 12 ĐỂ ĐẠT ĐIỂM 5+ THI TỐT NGHIỆP THPT ...
CHUYÊN ĐỀ ÔN THEO CÂU CHO HỌC SINH LỚP 12 ĐỂ ĐẠT ĐIỂM 5+ THI TỐT NGHIỆP THPT ...CHUYÊN ĐỀ ÔN THEO CÂU CHO HỌC SINH LỚP 12 ĐỂ ĐẠT ĐIỂM 5+ THI TỐT NGHIỆP THPT ...
CHUYÊN ĐỀ ÔN THEO CÂU CHO HỌC SINH LỚP 12 ĐỂ ĐẠT ĐIỂM 5+ THI TỐT NGHIỆP THPT ...
 
Objectives n learning outcoms - MD 20240404.pptx
Objectives n learning outcoms - MD 20240404.pptxObjectives n learning outcoms - MD 20240404.pptx
Objectives n learning outcoms - MD 20240404.pptx
 
DiskStorage_BasicFileStructuresandHashing.pdf
DiskStorage_BasicFileStructuresandHashing.pdfDiskStorage_BasicFileStructuresandHashing.pdf
DiskStorage_BasicFileStructuresandHashing.pdf
 
Narcotic and Non Narcotic Analgesic..pdf
Narcotic and Non Narcotic Analgesic..pdfNarcotic and Non Narcotic Analgesic..pdf
Narcotic and Non Narcotic Analgesic..pdf
 
MS4 level being good citizen -imperative- (1) (1).pdf
MS4 level   being good citizen -imperative- (1) (1).pdfMS4 level   being good citizen -imperative- (1) (1).pdf
MS4 level being good citizen -imperative- (1) (1).pdf
 
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design" - Introduction to Machine Learning"
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design" - Introduction to Machine Learning"Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design" - Introduction to Machine Learning"
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design" - Introduction to Machine Learning"
 
prashanth updated resume 2024 for Teaching Profession
prashanth updated resume 2024 for Teaching Professionprashanth updated resume 2024 for Teaching Profession
prashanth updated resume 2024 for Teaching Profession
 
Mythology Quiz-4th April 2024, Quiz Club NITW
Mythology Quiz-4th April 2024, Quiz Club NITWMythology Quiz-4th April 2024, Quiz Club NITW
Mythology Quiz-4th April 2024, Quiz Club NITW
 
Q-Factor General Quiz-7th April 2024, Quiz Club NITW
Q-Factor General Quiz-7th April 2024, Quiz Club NITWQ-Factor General Quiz-7th April 2024, Quiz Club NITW
Q-Factor General Quiz-7th April 2024, Quiz Club NITW
 
Tree View Decoration Attribute in the Odoo 17
Tree View Decoration Attribute in the Odoo 17Tree View Decoration Attribute in the Odoo 17
Tree View Decoration Attribute in the Odoo 17
 
PART 1 - CHAPTER 1 - CELL THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF LIFE
PART 1 - CHAPTER 1 - CELL THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF LIFEPART 1 - CHAPTER 1 - CELL THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF LIFE
PART 1 - CHAPTER 1 - CELL THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF LIFE
 
Man or Manufactured_ Redefining Humanity Through Biopunk Narratives.pptx
Man or Manufactured_ Redefining Humanity Through Biopunk Narratives.pptxMan or Manufactured_ Redefining Humanity Through Biopunk Narratives.pptx
Man or Manufactured_ Redefining Humanity Through Biopunk Narratives.pptx
 
Spearman's correlation,Formula,Advantages,
Spearman's correlation,Formula,Advantages,Spearman's correlation,Formula,Advantages,
Spearman's correlation,Formula,Advantages,
 
4.11.24 Poverty and Inequality in America.pptx
4.11.24 Poverty and Inequality in America.pptx4.11.24 Poverty and Inequality in America.pptx
4.11.24 Poverty and Inequality in America.pptx
 
Indexing Structures in Database Management system.pdf
Indexing Structures in Database Management system.pdfIndexing Structures in Database Management system.pdf
Indexing Structures in Database Management system.pdf
 
31 ĐỀ THI THỬ VÀO LỚP 10 - TIẾNG ANH - FORM MỚI 2025 - 40 CÂU HỎI - BÙI VĂN V...
31 ĐỀ THI THỬ VÀO LỚP 10 - TIẾNG ANH - FORM MỚI 2025 - 40 CÂU HỎI - BÙI VĂN V...31 ĐỀ THI THỬ VÀO LỚP 10 - TIẾNG ANH - FORM MỚI 2025 - 40 CÂU HỎI - BÙI VĂN V...
31 ĐỀ THI THỬ VÀO LỚP 10 - TIẾNG ANH - FORM MỚI 2025 - 40 CÂU HỎI - BÙI VĂN V...
 
Satirical Depths - A Study of Gabriel Okara's Poem - 'You Laughed and Laughed...
Satirical Depths - A Study of Gabriel Okara's Poem - 'You Laughed and Laughed...Satirical Depths - A Study of Gabriel Okara's Poem - 'You Laughed and Laughed...
Satirical Depths - A Study of Gabriel Okara's Poem - 'You Laughed and Laughed...
 
BÀI TẬP BỔ TRỢ TIẾNG ANH 11 THEO ĐƠN VỊ BÀI HỌC - CẢ NĂM - CÓ FILE NGHE (GLOB...
BÀI TẬP BỔ TRỢ TIẾNG ANH 11 THEO ĐƠN VỊ BÀI HỌC - CẢ NĂM - CÓ FILE NGHE (GLOB...BÀI TẬP BỔ TRỢ TIẾNG ANH 11 THEO ĐƠN VỊ BÀI HỌC - CẢ NĂM - CÓ FILE NGHE (GLOB...
BÀI TẬP BỔ TRỢ TIẾNG ANH 11 THEO ĐƠN VỊ BÀI HỌC - CẢ NĂM - CÓ FILE NGHE (GLOB...
 

Revisiongallery

  • 1. REAL REVISION A Gallery of Marked-up Manuscripts Created by author/teacher Kate Messner In celebration of the National Day on Writing October 20, 2009 http://www.katemessner.com
  • 2. When a publisher buys a book, a new round of revision begins with an editorial letter, a letter from the editor to the author with ideas for revision and suggestions for making the book better.
  • 4. A note from Kate: In addition to the editorial letter, my editor for THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. also sent a line-edited manuscript with questions and suggested changes on almost every page. It’s kind of like when your teacher returns a paper to you, saying, “This is good. But you can do even better!”
  • 5. Editors and authors make notes on manuscript pages during revisions.
  • 6.  
  • 8. A note from Sarah: This is editing, round one. The flags show all the changes my editor wanted. Rather daunting, isn’t it?
  • 9.  
  • 10. Sara Lewis Holmes www.saralewisholmes.com
  • 11. A note from Sara: This is a scene in which (my editor) Cheryl asked me convert excess narration to a more interactive dialogue between Bo and his dad that revealed their relationship.  Show, don't tell!
  • 12.  
  • 13.  
  • 14. Kristin O’Donnell Tubb www.kristintubb.com
  • 15. A Note from Kristin: The notes did not photograph well; the note in the left margin reads: "Re: 'all those mountains together': Aren't the balds sprinkled in among forested peaks? This makes it sound as if they're clustered." The note in the right margin says: "The thing about balds is that normally trees would be expected to grow at that elevation in that climate. The peaks aren't bald because the elevation is above the treeline in that area. Pls. rewrite." After receiving those notes, I did a little more research on balds themselves (they are, in fact, mountains with "bald" tops), and was delighted to find that they are a mystery to scientists - no one knows for sure why trees don't grow atop a bald. That fact related well with Autumn Winifred Oliver, the main character who, like the balds, "does things different." I was delighted that the wonderful copy editors pointed that out; I think the final opening scene benefitted from making the setting more mysterious.
  • 16.  
  • 18. A Note from Saundra: Even though I do my best on my first draft, it takes someone from the outside to tell me what I broke. Or what I never created. Or when I said something I totally didn't mean. And sometimes that means cutting out entire paragraphs...pages... chapters... characters! It's not fun, but it's worth it. I'll always like the small revisions best, but the large ones make my book the best it can be.
  • 19.  
  • 21. A Note from Claudia: Don't be fooled and think that manuscripts are published exactly the way the author sent it to the publisher. Most authors, like myself, have to edit the content of their stories several times before they're printed. And that's not even counting the many times you have to correct spelling or punctuation errors along the way!  Revising may feel like a lot of work - which it is! - but if you're lucky enough to have someone help you who cares about your story as much as you do, the effort will be worth it, and you'll end up with a shiny piece of writing that you can be proud of.
  • 22.  
  • 23. Maria Padian www.mariapadian. com
  • 24. A note from Maria: The picture here is from my working journal. Most days I begin my writing in a lined notebook, with a good ol' fashioned pen and paper. I write about the characters in my current book as if they're real people; I journal about who they are, what they want, how they feel. Their favorite foods and colors and the music on their iPods. Somewhere along the way I pick up the thread of their story, and that's when I close the notebook and fire up the computer, because my brain starts moving too fast for my hand. Pictured on this page is the first iteration of a scene from Chapter Four in my new book, "Jersey Tomatoes are the Best." At the time this was written, it was titled "Owning Henry." This entry describes a scene where someone drops a bowl of very hot oatmeal, it hits the kitchen floor and spatters so spectacularly that oatmeal flies up to the celing. What I realize from reading this entry, and comparing it to the "final" pages of the book, is that my characters say lots of things early on ... and I edit those comments down later. One of my best writing teachers once said, "There are many words you may need to write that your readers may not need to read."
  • 25.  
  • 27. A Note from Crissa: During the revision process, my editor asked a lot of questions. Do we need this? Already clear? etc. It was more about cutting things out and keeping it clean and mean...not filling up space with words. Very cool!
  • 28.  
  • 30. A note from Kay: This page is from a polishing edit for THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY about midway through the polishing process. The typed comment off to the side is from my final round of structural edits where I note minor scene elements that need improving but don't require a huge scene overhaul. The rest of the polishing is done by hand for all the nitpicky wording choices (it's much easier for me to catch those on a hard copy) and also posing questions to myself to make sure everything makes sense and is well-motivated and justified for the character or situation.
  • 31.  
  • 32. REAL REVISION A Gallery of Marked-up Manuscripts Created by author/teacher Kate Messner In celebration of the National Day on Writing October 20, 2009 http://www.katemessner.com