How a Pro Author Edits | Revising a YA Thriller

Подписаться 163 тыс.

Просмотров 11 тыс.

50% 1

I'm sharing my current plan to revise my third book, THE IVIES. I find it tricky to talk thoughtfully and specifically about revision after the fact, so I thought the smartest thing would be to show you in the moment!
How do I evaluate an edit letter? How much time do I take? How do I decide what to do vs. what not to do?
I filmed this on February 15 and as of the 23rd I'm almost at page 100 of the revision :)
Add THE IVIES, my YA thriller featuring competitive college admissions & murder, out in 2021, on Goodreads! / the-ivies
+OTHER PROJECTS+
Support NovelTea Show on Patreon! We're launching a podcast, with your support. / novelteashow
+BUY MY BOOKS+
Add THE STARS WE STEAL (Jane Austen + The Bachelor, in space) on Goodreads: / the-stars-we-steal
Purchase signed copies of Brightly Burning from The Ripped Bodice! www.therippedbo...
Buy BRIGHTLY BURNING from Book Depository (ships worldwide!): www.bookdeposi...
Buy BRIGHTLY BURNING on Amazon: www.amazon.com...
Get Brightly Burning on Audible.com! www.audible.co...
+LINKS+
Goodreads:
/ brightly-burning
Twitter:
/ alexadonne
Instagram:
/ alexadonne
Newsletter Sign-Up:
alexadonne.com/...
Website:
alexadonne.com/
Wattpad:
www.wattpad.co...
+FILMING SPECS+
Camera: Canon t6i
Mic: Rode VideoMic Go Light
Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit
Editing Software: Pinnacle Studio 22

Опубликовано:

6 окт 2024

Ссылка:

Скачать:

Готовим ссылку...

Добавить в:

Мой плейлист

Посмотреть позже

Комментарии : 69

@lily-lf1zs 4 года назад

At first i thought it said "eating my YA thriller" in the thumbnail and was like wow Such a mood

@AlexaDonne 4 года назад

It goes well with a nice Chianti.

@emilyestelle7471 4 года назад

@@AlexaDonne And some Fava Beans???

@mango3087 4 года назад

You know what? I love this lady! I've only been watching for about a week, but your amazing energy and thorough explanations are fantastic to be around! I wish you the best of luck with your new book Alexa!

@carole5648 4 года назад

You can navigate in word like you do in scrivner (more or less, i've never used scrivner). You give each scene a title, and change the 'style' to 'heading one', then turn on the navigation pane in the 'view' tab. everything will show up on the left like a table of contents, you can shrink, move and navigate with a click. I usually use titles like 'POV susie, arriving home' or whatever incredibly boring but useful descriptor so i know what scene it is, i make a new 'title' everytime a scene or pov changes. On my final edit i delete them all and turn things into actual chapters. If you're trying to get more comfortable with word, try that tool. As always love your videos Alexa!

@dueling_spectra7270 2 года назад

I do something similar to this; and also use inline comments to mark time, foreshadowing, or other things I'll need to reference as I write

@janekalmes 4 года назад

Bouncing your edit letter off the Crit Partners is a GREAT idea. When it comes down to it, all of these editing choices are about exercising judgment, and having a few perspectives to go off is definitely helpful!

@belletoro3100 4 года назад

ok.... no joke... I just started working on my revision... but not for an editor. I just got notes back from my agent and holy crappppp. so this video is perfect, as always!

@rue6657 4 года назад

I cant wait for The Ivies to be released, it sounds like a book I would love

@laurelgill1307 4 года назад

This came at the perfect time, I just jumped into editing my second novel and it's still so scary. (also I love your eyeshadow)

@cinnamon4522 2 года назад

What’s your novel called?

@Danimita92 4 года назад

Great video! I'm curious how common is it for authors to make all of these large developmental edits (changing ending, main character arc...) after the publishers have already bought it.

@AlexaDonne 4 года назад

My edits are pretty standard, honestly. Doing a likeability edit on an MC is common, especially in a Mean Girls book (some editors like a ruthless, difficult-to-relate to MC, others don't--I'm fine to go the other way honestly). It just happens to create some ripples that will be additive (ie: add more tension to the story, which is why it's a great note). If it were subtractive, I would have said no. And sometimes endings don't work and need changing--I'm not redoing my third act or anything, just playing with a different outcome in my denouement/wrap-up. I've seen writers have to do more extensive edits; these are pretty middle of the road? I've done less on my debut, and I've done more on my second book (which was turned in as a first draft). So for me it's middle.

@lifetimesofjcm8582 4 года назад

i finished my first short story, 13 pages long. i'm now writing a draft 2, where i'm just re writing the whole thing.

@brianleeyoung3785 4 года назад

Keep going, Alexa! You can do it. So very excited to read the Ivies

@prophetessoftroy 3 года назад

rewatching this after reading The Ivies and I feel like I can guess at least several of the changes you made (IT WAS SO GOOD, ALEXA, AND I AM NOT A THRILLER READER)

@angelsdoexist 4 года назад

Thank you so much for all this information. It was very helpful. ❤️ Good luck with getting it done in time.

@brittneysbookshelf9491 4 года назад

I am so excited for The Ivies! Thank you for this video. It is insightful to see how you are editing with a big 5 publishing editor.

@GregGountanis 4 года назад

Alexa, awesome video! Looking at the character arcs in an edit is so easy to overlook, but it's crucial. Keep on scribbling!

@jjotis9443 4 года назад

Hey Alexa I love all your videos. 😍🙏 Have you ever used Headers in Word to get around your document faster? In the newest version of Word you can even move headers and sub headers around in the document map just like you can in the binder in Scrivener. It can make revisions a little easier especially when you’re moving scenes around. 😊🍀

@ryttu3k 4 года назад

About to start a major edit, so this is extremely timely! Thank you so much!

@elizalagonia1049 4 года назад

Good luck with all the edits. I know it's daunting to do it in a month, but you have a plan. I'm looking forward to reading this book.

@knight671 4 года назад

I always adore these videos, so informative!! Thank you!

@BrekkeEl 4 года назад

Doing a round of edits myself in prep for an agent full request! Glad to hear your process. Does revising a thriller feel much different than your sci-fi books? Also - please don't give up on sci-fis! One day, please write another - I've loved your fist one so much.

@readerturnedwriter 4 года назад

I found this extremely useful and interesting, thank you so much for sharing.

@Citi_lightss 4 года назад

The best edited books i lay my hands on were Inferno and Voyagers of hell. Both the books r fast paced thrillers. They keep u hooked until the last page.

@KrystinaLiberty 4 года назад

I love how happy you are in this video.

@marthawilley5512 4 года назад

So interesting. Thanks for sharing your journey with us on this book. Can’t wait to read it.

@ahmadabdullah9338 4 года назад

I feel like the Ivies will be your big novel Alexa

@oliviamyers5466 2 года назад

Would you mind sharing your editor, they sound so amazing and I would love to talk to them about publishing and editing. Absolutely love you and your videos :)

@ParanormallyCorrect 4 года назад

So excited for you, Alexa! Can't wait to read your new book! :o)

@kiwikea2002 4 года назад

Thank you a lot for giving the insights on editing over all those videos you did on this topic. Really helpful. Especially after your comments during this weekend's WriteOnCon about the role of revising and editing :-). I found it interesting to hear how your revision process had to change after your editor's comments (combination of edits, choice of tools, e.g.) and how much time pressure comes into play these days. One question: You said it yourself - edit & rev are different for every project. But what's your takeaway from this book's experience for your future books edit & rev process? Any general items you'd like to incorporate? Thank you!

@hglundahl 4 года назад

2:48 Start a blog with exactly one reader, you. Or invite your editor as second reader, on a private blog. Make each scene or chapter a post. Make one post for keeping them in order. Basically like I did, except I did this openly: enfrancaissurantimodernism.blogspot.com/2011/12/chronicle-of-susan-pevensie.html Btw, what I need is not a revision, but adding at least as many more chapters. Maybe dividing the book into more than one if too long, but clearly there are places with action in between. When I get to "bed" as late as homeless people often do and some guys tend to see an honour in getting me away between 5 and 6 am, I am not too likely to be doing creative writing, or prayer, or learning a language or rereading LotR in less than a week, alas ...

@hglundahl 4 года назад

Precisely _the order of things_ makes for the need of shorter bits, like one post per chapter or scene (which is basically one and the same with me, often enough).

@hglundahl 4 года назад

Oh, you are at page 100, never mind, just a tip for next time ...

@bodine219 3 года назад

Ok, I know this isn't what you're here for -- and the content of this video is super helpful thank you -- but I just have to say your eye makeup is on point in this video. #goals.

@lindacobo1744 4 года назад

Good luck! 🍀

@nannasskrivehjrne9494 4 года назад

This is so exciting! And also great to see that you are excited about the process! :D Question: If you're not working with an editor/agent yet, is there a way to know if you're changing things for the better or worse in your story during the revision process?

@AlexaDonne 4 года назад

Honestly even with an agent and editor you'll second guess yourself. I just found two new beta readers yesterday b/c I was starting to second guess myself. This is where CPs are important, especially fresh eyes. You can get their thoughts/reactions as you revise.

@Zomxilla 4 года назад

I'm currently running through revisions for my manuscript, and it's exciting but very tiring! How do you track your revision progress to keep motivated? I used stickers for drafting but revision is so nebulous that I'm a little stuck!

@r.brooks5287 4 года назад

I've been revising my novel for 4 years (first completed novel) so I agree, all motivation advice seems aimed at word count. I use counting hours of work but it's hard to be accurate between work done and starring into space.

@astoldb 4 года назад

Good luck on your revisions! Can't wait for this book ❤️ I was wondering but at what point in the revision process should you hire sensitivity readers? Do they come after your critique partners and editors or before? o:

@ElliotfromOrlando 4 года назад

What about doing the character arc revision in "Scrivenings Mode" in Scrivener? I use it to track character arcs by "stitching" specific characters together in the editor. Would that work for you here? (I only ask because I REALLY stan Scrivener and loathe Word)

@rachelthome165 4 года назад

Can you talk more about why you don't normally read all the way through your book? That was surprising to me!

@AlexaDonne 4 года назад

I rarely read my books all the way through, like a reader would. It takes me out of my writer brain. I'll read sections, and of course as you move through an edit you go over the words on the page. But I usually don't like to take a day or two to read it without editing it along the way. I reserve that for right after my zero draft or VERY close to my final copy. I don't want to get sick of my book and I will if I read it over and over.

@susanbuckminster282 4 года назад

Thank you!

@littleviolet5284 4 года назад

I am editing my book and before editing i thought of how easy and fun it would be, but right now iam regretting I HATE EDITINGGG!! And fun fact: I have no clue how to edit, and am a ameature at punctuation.

@adventureswithmadison 4 года назад

COMMAS ARE MY BEST FRIENDS 😂😂 I seriously suck when it comes to grammar

@littleviolet5284 4 года назад

@@adventureswithmadison SAME! iam miserable~

@CupCakeUnleashed 4 года назад

I'm going through my final edit rn. Editor notes sound like a nightmare.

@emilyshaw5945 4 года назад

What is a critique partner and why’d o you need them??

@adventureswithmadison 4 года назад

Are you still vlogging the progress of this book?

@Kaejennings 4 года назад

I need your editor in my life.... Lol

@ladyursala 3 года назад

Do you have a process for keeping track of what the reader knows vs. what characters know vs. what characters know about each other vs. what the reader knows but the character doesn’t? ....😂

@ajmastel 4 года назад

You mentioned critique partners quite a bit. How would you recommend a new writer to find good critique partners?

@mar-sl5ji 4 года назад

She's got a video on it: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yYY2vDKdwkU.html

@ajmastel 4 года назад

I hadn’t seen this one. Thanks!

@martinbadino626 4 года назад

How did you noticed that your editor got the novel and why?... Would you suggest something for making it hapen more often?

@AlexaDonne 4 года назад

I mean, her edit letter was just so thoughtful. She sees the book as being important in a way that I didn't see myself. When you go out into trad pub, you just have to hope the right person finds it.

@g.d.talbot7600 4 года назад

I have a question for you. After a publishing house requests your full MS. What is the normal amount of time before they contact you again? Sorry, the question is not about your video here. Thanks.

@kat-k.d.reidsbooks398 4 года назад

I'm curious how you approached your August author-sans-editor revision. Did you make a video on that I missed? Congrats and can't wait to read The Ivies!

@AlexaDonne 4 года назад

Revising The Ivies before sub is included in either my August or September reading vlog, I believe.