Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Tuesday's Writer's Tip - Revision - Consistency #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Revision #Consistency

 The next step in revision is to look at the consistency in your story. There are things you must be aware of.

Point of View - Is it consistent or have I slipped into another character's viewpoint for a moment in the middle of Jane's scene. This can happen. I once had a friend who often slipped into the dogs POV. That became amusing but not in a serious story.  Just remember when you're in Jane's viewpoint, all she sees, hears, tastes, or anything else belongs to her alone. Joe's thoughts don't count until it's his scene.

Check the beginning. Is this where the story really begins. Stories usually begin a moment before the change occurs, a moment after the change or during the change. If your beginning fits this you're good.

Check your time line - Does it move smoothly along. I once remember during a revision when I had characters knowing something that hadn't happened until a few scenes later. This is a real oops.

Is it possible to take two scenes and put them together. This can be important when looking at backstory. Delving into the past two often can break the story and pull the reader from the action. Can the multitude of eating scenes be changed or fused. Too many similar scenes can bore the reader.

Are the shifts of time clearly shown. I've just been revising a story when several of my critique group were confused by the character's aging. I hadn't made his growing up clear. That's there now.

Make sure the chronology lets the reader know they're going to find all the information they need before the story ends.

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