Editing before the story's finished?

[Khukuri]

Just out of curiosity, would it be possible to have someone edit a paper before it is finished? I have 4 pages invested so far, but I would like to keep things within the story somewhat on track. If I spend too much time on something that really isn't necessary, I might write numerous pages and really bog down the story. The bad thing is that I'm not always sure what these side treks look like before they become gargantuan.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kbate]

The normal procedure is to write the story - and then do a re-write removing the excess, and correcting the problems. Only after a re-write, should it go to your editor. I do not want to see the story in mid-stream or try to help the writer develop the story, as it goes. I want to edit the finished copy - and proof the revisions after the writer is happy with their effort.

I do not mind doing 5 or even 10 revisions, but I do want the whole thing finished before I start working on revision 1.

 

[snooper]

... but I do want the whole thing finished before I start working on revision 1.

Do you mean the whole story, or just one chapter?

I don't mind editing single chapters, but I would usually like to see an outline of the whole story as well. It helps if the editor knows where the author is trying to get to.

 

[fieryjen]

I've had Lady C look over unfinished stories before. Most of the time, this was done because I wanted to know if that particular story was even worth continuing, if it sounded promising or like absolute crap, or to test what feeling the beginning of a story conveyed. It was usually quite helpful to me.

 

[CopyCarver]

If I spend too much time on something that really isn't necessary, I might write numerous pages and really bog down the story.
QUOTE]


Remembering Chekhov's theory might he helpful: "One must not put a loaded rifle on the stage if no one is thinking of firing it." Story details, minor characters, or subplots that don't significantly add to the story are usually as superfluous as needless stage props. As an example, the fact that your protagonist drives a Porsche doesn't justify a treatise on the advantages and disadvantages of boxer engines vs. V-6 engines. The information may be perfectly valid--even fascinating to a few readers--but it gets in the way of the story.

Like all rules of thumb, however, Anton's dictum is less than perfect. Sometimes seemingly pointless details can add to characterization, supply motive, etc. Briefly mentioning that your protagonist studies plasma physics at MIT--or welding at a trade school--tells readers far more about the character than simply calling him/her a student.

Probably the best you can do is to ask yourself whether any given element advances the plot, explains a character's motivation or emotional state, adds to the theme or mood, or serves some other story-related purpose. If so, it should probably be there--albeit not neccessarily at great length. If a detail is merely interesting in its own right, save it for some other use.

The more you write, the easier it will become to sense when you're turning the wrong corner and strolling through an interesting neighborhood that doesn't help you get where you want to be. Early on, however, you may well
write thousands of words that end up being deleted (or used in a completely different story.) Those false starts can be time-consuming, but they're rarely wastes of time. At best, they may add immeasurably to your stories. At worst, they're a good learning tool.