Welcome to IWSG Day. The goal of this blog hop is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a haven for insecure writers of all kinds. IWSG is the brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh. Thank you to this month’s co-hosts Janet Alcorn, SE White, Victoria Marie Lees, and Cathrina Constantine.
Since I can’t say I’ve ever felt critical about an
author’s webpage, I’m passing on this month’s question in favor of an update.
I wrote last month about the “Read Aloud” feature in word,
and how it's helping me. It’s been such a success that after two
passes through my most current project, I dared to ask a friend to beta read
it. Before she left for a week sailing the Caribbean (insert envious sigh
here), she’d plowed through most of it, calling me frequently to offer feedback. Other than multiple
examples of missing end quotes and a couple of typos I didn't catch, her feedback
has been positive and encouraging. Upon her return I’ll get her final analysis
on the story.
As I suggested I would in last month's post, I’m now using “read aloud” to take a hard look at one of my earlier non-published books, which I haven’t edited with any seriousness since 2018. I love the story. Love it. But I crashed and burned querying and came to believe the book wasn’t ready, yet.
Conventional wisdom says leaving a project to rest for a while is a good thing. Perhaps leaving it to rest for a LONG while is better. I’m on my second “read aloud” edit and still believe in the novel. By listening to Word read to me, I’ve found places where I can tweak things to make them clearer, and where I've needed to cut to make the writing more concise. I always thought I was a better reader than listener. “Read aloud” has proved me wrong. But, the good news is that while I've found plenty that can use fixing, I’ve had more times in which I’ve found myself tickled, in a Holy Moly, I wrote this? kind of way.
An author I love once said she didn't give up with her book
because she refused to let something on which she worked so hard disappear into a drawer.
I’ve got four somethings like that, two of which have yet to go through “read
aloud” rigor.
Here’s hoping I’m not setting myself up for more crash
and burn, but January was an optimistic month for me.
What has been your experience with the "read aloud" feature in word? What other editing tricks do you use?
Reading aloud gives a different sense of the words and story.
ReplyDeleteHi Liza - certainly Reading Aloud brings the story to life, rather than mind reading through it ... it sounds like you've found a good way forward ... all the best - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome you've gone back to an older project. Yes, letting them stand a long, long time works wonders.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post. Your experiences mirror mine. I love what your author friend told you: To not give up on a book. "She refused to let something on which she worked so hard disappear into a drawer." I have a novel (my first) that I love so much it hurts to think it might never be read. I'm just now after a couple of years editing it again to trim word count. By golly, I'll never give up!! I never used to like the read-aloud option but on your advice I have started to use that. Best of luck. You'll get there because you are committed!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried yet. Interesting how it might highlight things you'd miss when just reading. Here's to no crashing and burning!
ReplyDeleteI also have some projects I really believe in that I would love to take out of the 'drawer' I hope I have time to get to them. I understand the 'tickled' feeling. Sometimes, while I'm re-editing the works I'm self-publishing, I can't believe I wrote something that good. But also that bad at times.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog
ReplyDeleteI haven't played with read-aloud. I do love to be read to, but I've found I keep a story in my head a lot longer if if read it to myself.
ReplyDeleteI haven't used read-aloud yet, but you've definitely made me curious.
ReplyDeleteLiza, I've seen read aloud in Word but haven't tried it yet. The only editing trick I use currently is simple, I reread everything numerous times until I "think" its right.
ReplyDeleteI always read my work out loud during the final few edits. I didn't know there was a feature for it, I just read it myself and make notes as I go. There are things I catch with this kind of edit that I missed before.
ReplyDeleteI haven't used the Read Aloud function yet, but I plan to when my current project is at the read-aloud stage. Good to know it works well.
ReplyDeleteI’ve heard a lot of writers say that ‘read aloud’ is helpful in editing. When I’ve got something to edit (finding writing time is very difficult at the moment), I will try it.
ReplyDeleteI recently started using read aloud with Word and I'm a bit mad I resisted for so long. It's been helpful and I don't mind hearing my story out loud as much as I thought. (I'm not an audiobook fan, so the idea of listening to a story just doesn't appeal.)
ReplyDeleteI've never used the feature, but have just talked stuff out loud. It does give a different feel. Don't crash and burn - it sounds (literally) like you are on to something worthwhile. 2024 is your year - I feel it. Or just have fun with it and keep us included. Kudos, my friend.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Liza. More power to you to believe in your project. I have projects like that too. I need to be strong and move forward with them as well. All the luck with this project. You can do it!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your friend about not letting something you worked hard on sit in a drawer. I've allowed that to happen with a project I crashed and burned on. I just printed the whole manuscript, and I'm taking it with me on a camping trip to read through and make notes on where I can improve it. Then it's back to the querying trenches.
ReplyDeleteI tried Read Aloud once and the mechanized voice got on my nerves. I might have to try it again.
I hope things continue to go well with the read aloud option, and that you can get your projects up to where you want them. It sounds exciting, especially considering your reactions as you're reading!
ReplyDelete