With an emphasis on self-editing and plotting your novel, here are the latest Jericho Writers newsletters:
Jericho
Writers newsletter – How to self-edit your novel.
To celebrate the
bookings opening on our ever-popular ‘How to Self-Edit Your
Novel’ course, we’re dedicating this week’s newsletter to
the art of editing.
Sharpen
those red pencils and remember, most of our content is FREE for
members!
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Jericho Writers' Top Picks
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VIDEO MASTERCLASS:
Self-editing with Emma Darwin (FREE for members)
How do you turn a
first draft into a reader-ready book? Join tutor Emma Darwin as she
covers the cornerstones of plot, character, and psychic distance.
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BLOG: Time to stop
procrastinating and write your book
New in the library
this week, editor Haydn Middleton looks at what it is that separates
amateur writers, from the professionals.
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SNAPSHOT: The Pope in
the Pool (FREE for members)
Text heavy with
exposition, backstory or factual download? Once you’ve reduced these
scenes down to the bones, this short film tells you what to do next.
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Content corner
Self-editing
(for writers allergic to revision)
I actually hate
editing. I probably shouldn’t admit that, seeing as I’m working closely
with an editor right now – but it’s true. To me, editing feels like the
science behind the fun.
So, how does someone
who hates editing whip their book into shape? This is my process.
1. Celebrate every
milestone.
Finished a first
draft? Reward yourself with a new notebook. Worked through a plot
problem? Get yourself a cake.
Writing and editing
isn’t a marathon sprint. It’s a long journey with a lot of checkpoints
(and all of those checkpoints have wine. So drink it!)
2. Read through your
draft in one day.
Get up early, make a
pot of coffee and read your book from start to finish in one sitting. I
like to make notes as I go along on what happens in each scene, but
some writers like to stay in the moment. The important bit is to read
it all in one go, so you can pinpoint the parts that don’t quite add
up.
3. Invest in some
post-its and coloured pens.
Chances are, your
first draft will need a lot of revision. Start with your protagonist
character arc and draw their journey using post-it notes. Should any
move around/be thrown out? For me, working off the page using new
stationary helps make the science part – fun.
4. Implement changes,
then repeat.
Once you have a new
post-it structure, make those changes to your manuscript. Then – you
guessed it – read it through in one sitting and start again.
Sarah
J x
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Follow us on Instagram for
more of our 'The Life of a Writer' cartoon series by our very talented
Stephanie!
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As always, happy writing and remember, you can contact
Stephanie or Nikki on +44 (0) 345 459 9560 or info@jerichowriters.com
for any writing-related advice.
Best wishes,
Sarah
Juckes
Author | Jericho Writers
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Plus, don't
miss:
- Style and Structure –
LIVE Masterclass. London, 18.30 – 21.30, May 24th.
(Discounts available.)
Put your writing style to the test with a class to help you refine
your writing practices. Learn the rules, and then how to break
them. Get the low-down on the patterns & formulas for plot
arcs, and how to ensure they are applied to maximize impact of
your writing.
- How to self-edit your
novel course – starts 5th June. (Discounts
available.) This is one of our most popular courses – and for
good reason. With more successful alumni than any other, this
six-week tutored course looks at everything you need to turn your
draft into something saleable. Join the inspirational Debi Alper
and Emma Darwin from June 5th.
- Children’s manuscript
assessment. An in-depth
constructive editorial report on your children’s manuscript. Our
editors will read, digest and absorb your work, then they’ll tell
you how to improve it. It’s as simple as that. (DISCOUNTS
AVAILABLE)
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Jericho
Writers
Belsyre Court
57 Woodstock Road
Oxford, OX2 6HJ
United Kingdom
+44 (0) 345 459 9560
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Jericho
Writers newsletter – Plotting for pros
We’ve
added tons of new and exciting stuff to Jericho Writers this week all
around how to plot like a pro. Whether you’re writing a short story, or
editing a book – learn what you need to do to make that story sing.
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MASTERCLASS: How to
write good plots and characters (FREE for members)
We put two of our
expert editors in a room together and asked them what it takes to write
a brilliant plot, and believable characters. The result? Half an hour
of tips you can’t afford to miss.
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Blog: Emma Darwin on Psychic Distance
How close does your
reader sit with your characters? In Emma Darwin’s latest guest post,
she covers the importance of psychic distance and how it can seriously
affect your narrative.
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Snapshot: Plots and premises (FREE for members)
Is your story premise
clear from the beginning of your novel? Editor and author Jeremy
Sheldon shares tips on how your plot can make your premise shine
through.
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Content
corner: Are you a ‘plotter’, or a ‘pantser’?
It’s said that there
are two main types of writers: the ‘plotters’ (who know exactly what
will happen in their book before they start writing), and the
‘pantsers’ (those who don’t really have a clue, but are excited to find
out as they write).
The pros of being a
‘plotter’ are that you should have a fully-working plot before you
begin writing. You might have read articles such as this one on plot
arcs and have put them into action for your premise. You’ll
have detailed (and colour-co-ordinated) notes on characters, backstory,
world-building and setting. All that’s left to do, is write it all up.
Now, a ‘pantser’
might say that this method takes the fun out of writing. In fact, many
writers find any kind of forward-thinking about their novel suffocates
their creativity and enthusiasm. A ‘pantser’ will love sitting down,
writing the first thing that pops into their head, and letting their characters
lead the story.
I’ve actually tried
both of these methods and have found I like it somewhere in the middle.
‘Pantsing’ a novel is fun, but you do tend to end up with a big mess at
the end of it. So instead, I now spend a lot of time getting to know my
characters before I start writing. I then bullet-point the main plot
points in the story, and pay special attention to:
- Any
key perception changes for my protagonist (for example: she used
to think she had to hide her true self, but now realises she can
tell some truths.)
- Any
reveals for the reader/other characters (for example: the reader
finds out what happened to the protagonist’s brother.)
As long as I keep
these things in mind, I find I can keep my plot at least vaguely on
track. After that – it’s all about putting words onto paper anyway you
can.
Sarah
J
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A visit to the book doctor.
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Follow us on Instagram for
more of our 'The Life of a Writer' cartoon series by our very talented
Stephanie!
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As always, happy writing and remember, you can contact
Stephanie or Nikki on +44 (0) 345 459 9560 or info@jerichowriters.com
for any writing-related advice.
Best wishes,
Sarah
Juckes
Author | Jericho Writers
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Plus, don't
miss:
·
The Festival of Writing
Early Bird Tickets.
Join us for the life-changing Festival of Writing in York from 7th to
the 9th of September, 2018. Hundreds of classes, one-to-ones,
networking opportunities and special events on offer – including
opportunities not to be missed.
- Writing Creative
Non-Fiction. Starts 29th May. (Discounts available to
members) Put
your writing style to the test with a class to help you refine
your writing practices. Learn the rules, and then how to break
them. Get the low-down on the patterns & formulas for plot
arcs, and how to ensure they are applied to maximize impact of
your writing.
- Opening Section
Editorial Review. (Discounts
available to members) We’ll review your synopsis, covering
letter and the opening 5,000 words of your manuscript. Our editors
will take an agent’s perspective, and they’ll help you maximize
your chances by providing detailed, rigorous feedback on your
submission.
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Jericho
Writers
Belsyre Court
57 Woodstock Road
Oxford, OX2 6HJ
United Kingdom
+44 (0) 345 459 9560
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