So I rarely post anything about my WIP because I don't think there's an audience for it here on writeblr - which is fine, I've accepted that - so rather than straight up not posting about my writing ('cause then why am I here) I figure I will start posting about my writing/editing process (I''ll try to post an update at least once a week I suppose? We'll see).
So as I mentioned in my 'hi I'm back' post, I finished the first draft of my WIP Some Call It Fate and I'm currently editing it. Which, as someone who always thought I preferred editing more than writing (a blank page is too intimidating to me), no one is more surprised than me by how quickly I went from being excited to edit to being like 'oh god fuck this I can't'.
Anywho. I have successfully found a reverse outlining process that I'm satisfied with after digging through a number of resources.
For each chapter I: List the scenes, characters involved, word count, followed by a quick summary and how that scene is important to either plot ("scene nugget") or a specific character(s) development. The key at the top allows me to see at a glance what modifications I need to make for each scene (rewrite, shorten, delete entirely etc).
I've done this for 22/45 chapters why is my story so goddamn long so far, I'm *hoping* to finish this reverse outline before nano...because I'm ambitiously attempting to use nano this year as a way to push me to edit (famous last words).
In the meantime - because I hate outlining and find it boring - I've been brainstorming the changes I want to make in my second draft (which I find infinitely more fun) and attempting to come up with some semblance of a story structure (which I didn't consider and/or attempt to follow while writing my first draft and it shows). This resource has been particularly helpful with that (among others).
So above is a structure of the plot points (orange) and events (green) in my story. I'm *almost* done with this part. I have the beginning and the end/climax (which I'm super proud/excited about) figured out, but it's that nebulous middle that has me stumped. But no worries because I have plenty of ideas to fill it with, I just need to sit down with my whiteboard and map some more things out.
So yeah! That's where I am in the editing process. Should I make goals for myself? ....sure why not.
By next Wednesday
Have at least 10 more chapters outlined
Strengthen/figure out first and second plot/pinch points
hopefully future updates will be more organized 😅.
tried to post it to TikTok and got muted because the music is too long? idk but I’m too tired tonight to go in and edit the audio track so I’ll post it here instead
