What are you writing about now?

[Ent]

Well, I did get Chapter 3 edited and returned... it seems the author liked it and incorporated all the changes.
Awaiting chapter 4 now.

Meanwhile, I've agreed to edit another book. I've got it (the whole book) in hand already, and started yesterday on the initial pass, quickly handling the things inevitably creeping into authors' works unnecessary to (and sometimes distracting from) a clean read.
..... (My pet "maggots" as our own @Squint-eyed Southerner likes to call them. 😆 He says everybody has their own particular 'maggots' about various things, and I quite agree. (sorry I borrowed this Squinty, hope you're not upset.))

This also gives me a first pass through the book to get the 'lay' of it in general. Once that's done, I can read the whole book again (without the 'distractions) to be sure I've got the whole landscape, then really go to work on the 3rd pass through.

So anyway, I'm off on another editing adventure, while at the same time continuing to prepare thoughts, direction etc. for my first book.
(Always keep my notebook handy to capture the things springing into mind.)

Just thought I'd share this little snippet.
If anyone has any great editing tips, let us know.
Or if anyone wants some editing tips, ask.
In fact, somewhere I've got the Ent's 'basic editing tips' written down, to pass to authors up-front so if they choose, they can reduce some of the work of the editor as they go along their way.

(Though depending on the author they should not spend a lot of time editing...may stifle the creative side during the writing process. All depends on what sort of 'author' one is. Some edit as they go. Some take an editing pass AFTER their creative writing, and this can be good. But it is well said every author should have an editor look at the work. The author is too close to it to see some of the necessary points of full editing.)

Anyway, how are you all doing with your work?
To me, it sounds like for several of us "The Game is Afoot" (Sherlock Holmes)

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

For the first time in several days, I'm back to work on my book! The Earl Grey is brewing and I'm just about to get started.

(I ended up being forced to cut the Star Princess cosplay out of my plans for the comic con in August. I realized it would be physically impossible to do the amount of beading that costume requires in two weeks. So I'm very sad about that, but it gives me more time for other things, like writing, over these next two weeks.)

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

That's unfortunate about the dress!
Good job with the writing though!
I've been working on my DB post in the last few hours as well!

 

[Ent]

My efforts are still primarily on editing the new book I now have in my twigs.

But then the fellow asked me some questions about Scripture translations and translating... and names used... which resulted in a couple mini-epistles written to him.

Then he wanted to pass one of them to his father, who is Elder in the father's church. Which of course resulted in a very hasty editing to be sure it was appropriately accurate and clear, as the conclusions of study differ a little from that particular church's view on the subjects at hand.

(That's an area I am never far removed from...)

So at least I got that 'original writing' in..! (though it's more like a couple essays, not a book.)

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

I've been working on my DB post in the last few hours as well!

So at least I got that 'original writing' in..! (though it's more like a couple essays, not a book.)

Yay, glad you both have been productive! I just wrote 784 words in a little more than an hour, though it took me a bit to get momentum going because it's part of my action-packed climax, and I struggle with action scenes. But it started going pretty quickly towards the end. I have 4 hours of work to do before I'm free for the weekend, so maybe I'll continue writing after work. It's so hard to stop after 1 hour, because that's about how long it takes my brain to get full of ideas. This is why my writing sessions used to be 2+ hours long, but that was during covid when I had very little to do in general.

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

I often get ideas when I'm cleaning, weirdly enough!
And also about the post,get ready because Maedhros and Finrod are not only ones who are going to have a talk later!

 

[Ent]

It's so hard to stop after 1 hour, because that's about how long it takes my brain to get full of ideas.

indeed..!

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

I've got about an hour and a half before I have to leave, so I'm going to write until then!

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

Good luck with it Maedhros!
I haven't done anything besides finishing my DB post today and I need to spend the rest of my time packing!
I'll probably can't write much during my vacation but I'll start it again seriously and finish my next chapter after I came back!

 

[Ent]

I'm so glad to see you all continuing to encourage one another and keep each other posted.
Have a great vacation @Aredhel Ar-Feiniel and thanks for writing, @Maedhros_Nelyafinwë.

I'm busily editing away on the new book of course, but realized I need to add one more book to my list of projects... an essential one, but of an entirely different nature.

In my 'quiet time' this morning, I was given this realization (revelation) regarding 'purpose' in writing as I continue to struggle a little over "why, what, and how" to write among the array of stuff before me...
.........................
"There is no Kingdom need or value in working to push more content(s) into a bag already containing all the 'right stuff' for the feeding of the people -- though there is often significant need to help them learn about its preparation for consumption.

There is great need, however, to push more into a bag still absent essential foods."
.........................
Was given me as I pondered and held up in prayer issues of 'why' Tolkien and Lewis wrote, in the arenas they wrote, and for what purposes.

It came along with the need for the additional book.

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

I haven't done anything besides finishing my DB post today and I need to spend the rest of my time packing!

Your DB post was great! I enjoyed reading it!

Glad you had a productive quiet time as well, @Old Ent !

I didn't get a ton written with my word count, but I still count it as a productive session. My imagination ran ahead of me and I've realized that if a certain character dies, it will conclude his story in a meaningful way and raise the stakes of the conflict, so I think, unfortunately, that he will die. Sorry dude, but it will enhance the story and give you some beautiful parallelism! (I don't kill characters lightly; I try to be mindful of the readers' feelings, but this really would enhance the story I think.)

I also got distracted and started a pronunciation guide. My readers have been asking for one for some time, so I count that as productive.

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

(I don't kill characters lightly; I try to be mindful of the readers' feelings, but this really would enhance the story I think.)

Meanwhile me:how should I kill this OC for it be both symbolic and gut wrenching for other characters as well as the reader🤔

 

[Ent]

@Maedhros_Nelyafinwë - yes, it's difficult to draw a good 'balance' with reader's feelings.
But you do not seem a 'hasty thinker' to the Ent.
And, remember Tolkien's great desire... the creation is believable.

Tragedy and death, however unexpected, are a very real part of life. I fear if we were to create a world or situation without them, (and they come in many forms), we would be handing our readers a sanitized, unbelievable and even untrustworthy world indeed.

In addition @Aredhel Ar-Feiniel 's point is excellent. What opportunities are bred to be capitalized on, by the death? Entirely new vistas may open.

p.s. - I'm not at all surprised you found yourself surprised by a presentation from the imagination coming unexpectedly and without bidding. Such is the inner creativity when it's given its realm, and its reign therein.

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Meanwhile me:how should I kill this OC for it be both symbolic and gut wrenching for other characters as well as the reader🤔

I mean I love stirring up emotions in my readers too! Even when they get mad at my characters, I count that as a win!

But you do not seem a 'hasty thinker' to the Ent

Well thank you, I'll take that as a compliment!

Tragedy and death, however unexpected, are a very real part of life. I fear if we were to create a world or situation without them, (and they come in many forms), we would be handing our readers a sanitized, unbelievable and even untrustworthy world indeed.

Very true, especially since this is the battle which is the huge climax of my book. This character I'm considering killing, his brother was killed by the villain long before my story takes place. So to have this character die while playing a crucial role in the battle, aiding the heroes and helping defeat the villain, could create a very moving symmetry/parallel between him and his brother. Also, he's a major help to my main characters so losing him would make them feel very vulnerable, and increase the tension and anxiety of the battle.

I don't kill characters for mere shock value or convenience because you never know what a character might mean to someone. Let's say you have a reader who might be going through a hard thing in life and they latch on to a character, relating to them and sympathizing with them. And then let's say the character dies pointlessly or for stupid reasons, or their death was easily preventable. Readers tend to be pretty good at detecting stuff like that and it would be really upsetting to them! I mean, I think most readers enjoy the safe sorrow that comes with a meaningful character death. I know I do. But that's the important distinction, the character death has to be meaningful.

(Side note: I wonder what Tolkien would think if he knew I love Maedhros as much as I do!)

p.s. - I'm not at all surprised you found yourself surprised by a presentation from the imagination coming unexpectedly and without bidding. Such is the inner creativity when it's given its realm, and its reign therein.

Yeah, that's how my imagination tends to work at least! It often strikes at very inopportune times. Like when I'm in the middle of preparing a tax return. 🙄

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

I understand what you are saying @Maedhros_Nelyafinwë
I went through the same thing when I was reading Mo Dao Zu Shi,made me both hate and love the author!
So many deaths (I don't want to spoil it if you are not familiar with it and want to give it a try)brothers drifting apart over some misunderstandings

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

Hi!
I ended up not packing yesterday and wrote around 700 words!
It still needs some editing as I was just going with the flow but I'm quite happy with it!

 

[Ent]

Trusting you're all still well at it, being intentional and providing time for your creativity.

I will be a bit scarce around the Forum for awhile now... I've much to catch up on at work, this book to edit, and more importantly, I've a real desire and need to focus on this latest book I've had added to my list now - last added, but first needing to be done.

Began the work in earnest and with a sense of urgency this morning.

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

I've written 60 something words this week😌😂
I'm not quite happy with how it has turned,I feel like it's just pushing random info towards the reader,a bit to confusing...but I guess that's just how every book starts

 

[Ent]

I guess that's just how every book starts

'All is grist for the mill', to employ a very old phrase to an ever-present situation.
Thoughts and ideas will coalesce in time.
Even the creation of junk is an act of creation...beyond what most do, finding it easier to destroy than build.
60 words of intentional creation infinitely exceed the value of millions of words of destruction.
You are to be honored.

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

Thank you @Old Ent!
Your words are always the best encouragement!