CREATIVE EDITING              #3

                                                               by Chris FabiszevskiReference: In English writing, main characters have names, while minor      characters may not. Instead they may be referred to by role, such as the mailman or the neighbor across the street.

Names bring a character into focus (prominence) However, don’t keep repeating the name. Use a pronoun unless the reference would be unclear.

In conversation, we use names to get the person’s attention, but we don’t keep using their names! We just talk. Watch for overuse of names in dialogue!

NUANCES:

Word Choice: Words have connotations (neutral, positive, or negative) and cultural associations (also neutral, positive, or negative).

Note the different images you get with cry, weep, sob, blubber, and let a tear fall.

What cultural associations come with Magnolia, hardware/software, and football?

Sentence Structure:

Description: long sentences, lots of adjective and adverbs, often passive, slow-paced

Climax of the story: short, fast-paced sentences

Education: The more educated the writer (or character), the more complex the sentences.

Fragments: (incomplete sentences) have a place in certain styles of writing.

Verb Tenses: This is a simplified, condensed list!

Simple Tenses are the backbone of the verb system. When in doubt, use these! Think of snapshots of action---frozen images. Key storyline events use simple tenses.

  Present: habits, routines                         She eats breakfast every morning.

  Past: past facts, mainline of story                  She ate breakfast yesterday.

  Future: predictions                              She will eat breakfast tomorrow.

                                          

CREATIVE EDITING             

           by Chris Fabeszewski           #2

   

 Connections: (Connect everything!)

       Show relationships between people, places, events, and things

       Add time/logic words, foreshadowing reflection (on the past, present, future)

Add head-tail links between sentences, paragraphs, and chapters. (In other words, refer to past information before adding new information.)

Elegance: Add focus and nuances.

   Use the riches of the English language, especially vocabulary and verb forms!

  Focus: word order, voice (active vs passive), and reference (noun vs. pronoun)

  Nuances: word choice, sentence structure, verb tenses, modal verbs, register.

  *Keep reading for a little grammar help 😊

FOCUS:

 *Word Order: Normal=SV(O) + (prep phrases)Anything moved to the front is in focus.

     “The itsy bitsy spider ran up the water spout.” (normal)            

     “Down came the rain and washed the spider out.” (focus on direction)

      In the morning Mary got up. (focus on time)

Passive voice makes the O (object) or the V (verb) the focus.

     John hit the ball (normal) vs The ball was hit. (focus on the ball)

Reduced clauses are another way to focus on the verb

     John tripped and fell because he was running blindly. (normal)

      Because he was running blindly, John tripped and fell. (focus on cause)

      Running blindly, John tripped and fell. (focus on action of running)

                                                             Creative Editing

....a new look at editing by editor, Chris Fabiszewski, in 8 segments....
..
         "And in all, great and small, seek to do most nearl what thou lovest dearly!"

CREATE: Breath in. Breath out.
         Inspiration:  take it in.
              Pray, asking the Lord for what to write, how to writek when to writek etc.
              Think. Brainstorm, research, dialogue with others, read ponder.

         Exhalation: Get it out.
              Start with what intrigues you. Don't worry about where it fits in.
              Write something on paper or in a computer document. Spew. Don't worry about form or                      grammar or spelling or anything but getting ideas out.

 EDIT CREATIVELY: Add, Subtract, and get some  R-n-R!
      
 1. Add: Use your imagination to develop the text
.
             Senses: Add  input from the five senses.
                        Put yourself into the scene. What can you see, hear,, touch, taste, or smell?
                        Put details into the text.

             Passion: Add emotion.
                     Ask, "What are the characaters feeling?" or "What do I want readers to feel?"
                     Show it through word choice,, actions, and body language. (Show, don't tell.)

             Interest:  Add material to pull the reader in.
                      Add uniqueness (unique places, times, experiences, and character quirks).
                      Also add conflict, dialogue, and humor.

            Connections:  Connect everything!
                                                                                                  TBcontinued...