By Arthur Zulu / Published on December 14th, 2007 / Writing
Contact Author: mailto: controversialwriter@yahoo.com Copyright: Copyright © Arthur Zulu 2002 Word Count: 567
Web Address: http://www.1stbooks.com/bookview/10975
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DO YOU KNOW HOW TO REVISE YOUR WORK?
By Arthur Zulu
The revision of your work is progressive. That is to say, you may revise your work as you write. In fact, no book on earth is ever written. The best book today could be revised by a number of reviewers, with each one turning in a different version from the other.
But talking about your manuscript, “the best time to begin writing an article” says the writer; Mark Twain “is when you have finished it to your satisfaction”. And that is true. Which means you are going to write, re-write and literally shred tons of paper, (if you are still using the old fashioned materials like myself).
No wonder one writer who has a good sense of humor says that writing is just as easy as sitting before your typewriter, and striking the key- board “till little drops of blood fall from your forehead”. But remember, you have to be “an exact man!”
So, a thorough revision is advised before professional submission. The following questions under the appropriate sub – headings will help you in your revision.
Thematic Revision
1.Do I have an interesting subject matter? 2.Is my subject matter thoroughly handled? 3.Have I satisfactorily handled objections that may arise from my story?
4.Does the title of my book suit my story? 5.Can my readers believe it?
6.Do I expect them to believe?
Structural Revision
1.Do my main points stand out?
2.Do the sub points support the main points? 3.Is there unity from my introduction to the conclusion? 4.Is my conclusion appropriate?
5.Are my facts sufficient, or do I need further supporting materials? 6.Do my characters work out my purpose for the story?
Grammatical Revision
1.Have I conformed to the standard rules of English grammar? 2.Are my spellings and punctuation correct? 3.Did I write what I meant?
4.Are my sentences and paragraphs correct and harmonious? 5.Have I used appropriate tone?
6.Do my characters’ speeches match their roles in the story?
Three things though can help you to do a good revision. The first is time. After you have written your book, keep it away and forget about it for a time. Then pick it up again after a long holiday, and look at it with a stranger’s eye. And you will see all your mistakes staring at you in the face.
The second thing that will help you is a good dictionary, a thesaurus, and perhaps, an encyclopedia, or some reference books. The dictionary and thesaurus will help you revise your grammar, spelling and word usage, while the encyclopedia or reference books are useful to crosscheck facts and figures.
The third are your friends and relatives. Give them your book to take a look; read and offer their comments. But here, you have two strikes against you.
One. Your friends or relatives may not be interested in writing. Some may call it a bloody waste of time and advise you to go to some company, and get a good job (as if writing is not work.)
Two, they may be too kind to you. In this case, they will praise you to the high heavens, and recommend you for a Nobel Prize (even if your work may not be as wonderful as they think.) But do not blame them. They are not professionals.
So, you need a professional after all, to evaluate, or review your book. And there are many of them out there. If you send your book to a good reviewer, you will not regret doing so. The following is what he will likely do:
1.Give you a synopsis of your work.
2.Write an overview, which includes his candid view of your work from an unbiased and professional point of view.
3.Comment on your theme.
4.Look at the tone of your work.
5.Examine your characterization.
6.Remark on the structure and pacing of your work.
7.Comment on your dialogue.
8.Discuss the setting (and production values) of your story.
9.Look at the marketability of your work.
10.Tell you the genre suitability of the book.
11.Describe your language and style.
12.Give you editorial advice
13.Advise on the professional presentation of your work.
Now, tell me. Can your friends and relatives do all these for you? I think not.
Copyright © 2002, all rights reserved
About the Author:
ARTHUR ZULU, The Most Controversial Writer in the World, is the author of the best – selling book, HOW TO WRITE A BEST-SELLER. Download your copy and FREE excerpt at : http://www.1stbooks.com/bookview/10975. For FREE writing helps, mailto : controversialwriter@yahoo.com