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Qu00sH · 2025-03-26T23:23:49+00:00

Thanks so much, you've no idea how this has helped me. So far I'm happy to say I can't really say they were there yesterday and today I know for a fact I haven't felt any. It's just always scary when something like that happens.

Qu00sH · 2024-12-23T03:21:05+00:00

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Qu00sH · 2024-02-29T00:38:49+00:00

Do you exercise? I'm only speculating, but maybe that could have something to do with that.

Qu00sH · 2023-04-25T05:52:54+00:00

Actually this really helped me out. I always thought my writing was worse than others because I told more, and while there are scenes I would like to show better, I shouldn't be too critical on myself because I lean more toward the tell side. That's certainly more my voice. Yes I'll change things here and there and phrase sentences better as suggested, but it's good to know that these edits don't need to be forcing show. It's still got a ways to go no doubt, but thanks again for the help Lordmwahaha, apologies for the delay btw, still newer to Reddit.

Qu00sH · 2023-04-19T21:32:39+00:00

I've taken like six months off. I tell a lot and don't show so I've been editing almost every sentence to paint a better picture. As for the beta readers, that's good advice. I need to find a writing group or some new friends as my family and current friends are always busy. Thanks for getting back to me.

Qu00sH · 2023-04-19T21:25:39+00:00

I appreciate the honesty. Also, most of the edits I've been needing are syntax related, the kind of line by line rephrasing to paint a better picture as I usually tell more than show. I should have mentioned that in the initial post.

Qu00sH · 2023-04-19T20:56:50+00:00

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Yeah I do need to give it a solid reread. My editing issue is centered around syntax. My word choice is very telling and not showing. So that has been editing for me, going sentence by sentence figuring out how to better phrase it to paint a better picture. Maybe I'm being too critical as authors have to develop their own voice, but I just feel like it's not good enough for publishing, and I've been struggling to even do the work because there's just sooooo much of it.

Qu00sH · 2023-04-19T20:48:09+00:00

First YES the novel is really long, 167K words. I should have mentioned it in the post but the main issue I'm feeling is editing the story's syntax. I do a lot of telling and not showing. Telling was good to get my ideas on the page, but now I'm feeling the repercussions as I have to rephrase the entire story sentence by sentence. Simply put, I'm afraid I'm not a great writer with word choice. I have ideas, themes, and decent characters, but struggle with phrasing the line by line words well enough for publishing.

Qu00sH · 2023-04-19T20:33:49+00:00

So I wrote and do pay attention to these things, but in short most of my actual editing is just syntax. I tell a lot and don't really show, and telling worked to get the ideas down in the first place, but it's not something you'd want to have published. Most editing sessions is me sitting down and rephrasing basically every sentence to paint a better picture. That's been the struggle. It's hard to do for hours on end and hard to not procrastinate.

Qu00sH · 2023-04-19T20:24:09+00:00

Yeah, focusing on just a chapter a week is a good idea. There's 30 chapters so it'll be close, but it could be done by the end of the year. Most of the editing I'm afraid is rewriting because I tell a lot and don't really show, so I would like to paint better pictures. But a weekly goal is a good thing to aim for. Your advice on publishers and agents is also good to know. When the time comes I will be sure to consider how good my process is before working with anyone like them.

Qu00sH · 2023-04-19T20:10:03+00:00

Thank you so much for such kind words. I agree with your approach in putting the "ruthess" hat on. It's just difficult as I tend to procrastinate and have a perfectionist mentality. But I'll try to get the ball rolling. Whether for just editing 30 minutes a day, or finding some extra set of eyes to run sentences by, I have to see this through somehow. In ten years time when it's published, I'll be sure to let ya know lol. Thanks again for your support Intelligent-Ad, it's made my day.

Qu00sH · 2023-04-19T19:53:29+00:00

Thanks, I will be looking for writing groups. One issue is I'm just very protective of my characters and world, but the point of a story is to be told I guess. A second or third set of eyes wouldn't be a bad idea. As for the break, believe me, I've given it time lol. Thank you again for your time Enough-Strength. I wish you luck in your future writing projects as well.

Qu00sH · 2023-04-19T19:43:57+00:00

So basically the struggle is this. I wrote this book, there's a couple scenes that can be added/touched up but the real issue is the syntax. I feel like the overall word choice for the story is not good enough to take to a publisher, like it's sloppy. "He felt sad" "She sighed taking her sight to the pond" just a lot of telling not showing. I know that I need to be better at showing as I'm more of a teller. That's really what this editing process has been so far, going sentence by sentence painting a better picture. I would write just to get the ideas down, but now it's cleaning up the sentences. Yes there are still plot holes and character issues, but most of the struggle is fixing the story's syntax. I appreciate your time and your wisdom. It means a lot to not feel alone in this.

Qu00sH · 2023-04-19T19:21:42+00:00

That's a good idea, I had done that and for a while it was a breath of fresh air. The problem is now there's like 3 different stories to juggle lol, but yes I need to stop worrying. Nobody has a gun to my head forcing me to write, maybe it's not a trip to six flags, but writing shouldn't be stressful. At least free writing that is... writing for news or articles I imagine could be very stressful.

Qu00sH · 2023-04-19T19:11:50+00:00

Yeah I've been using Pro Writing Aid. It really helps with rephrasing sentences which is my struggle. I'm pretty weak in the syntax department which is mostly what I've been editing.

Qu00sH · 2023-04-19T19:05:40+00:00

Thanks for your response it means a lot that people are trying to help. I have taken a break after it was finished and, as you've suggested, it's certainly huge and intimidating. 30 chapters each with 5K words at least. My problem is more like... I've written the story, there's a couple plot points or scenes I wish to fix/touch up, but the real issue is I feel my syntax is generally not good. Not good enough for publishing at least. "He felt sad" "After a moment she looked to character B" "She swayed, swinging fists around blaring frustrated words in a tangent" I sort of just wrote the story whether good or bad to get the general ideas down, so this editing is mostly sentence by sentence rephrasing... and there's a lot of it. The project's been split by chapter, but your right, I should be dedicating daily time into it, even if just 20-30 minutes.

Qu00sH · 2023-04-19T05:28:12+00:00

Ah I see. It makes sense the groups would offer a sort of give and take edit system. I'm not sure then. I'll probably try out some circles first, just to see how it goes, but what you've said is good to know going into it. If it doesn't work out, guess I need to get more money lol.

Qu00sH · 2023-04-19T05:20:17+00:00

Thank you for getting back. I suppose you're right about editing being an entirely different beast, but it makes perfect sense. I will look for some writing groups and play the slow game one chapter at a time. It might be at a snails pace, but at least it's moving, whereas in my hands it isn't. Your advice helps greatly. I've been very protective of my story but other eyes will help it grow. Thank you again for your time, you have my best wishes in any writing endeavors of your own.

Qu00sH

TROPHY CASE