How a Pro Author Edits | Revising a YA Thriller

[@lily-lf1zs]

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

[@AlexaDonne]

It goes well with a nice Chianti.

[@emilyestelle7471]

@@AlexaDonne And some Fava Beans???

[@mango3087]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[@lifetimesofjcm8582]

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.

[@laurelgill1307]

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]

What’s your novel called?

[@Danimita92]

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]

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.

[@brittneysbookshelf9491]

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.

[@brianleeyoung3785]

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

[@GregGountanis]

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

[@prophetessoftroy]

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)

[@ryttu3k]

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

[@jjotis9443]

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. 😊🍀

[@angelsdoexist]

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

[@KrystinaLiberty]

I love how happy you are in this video.

[@Citi_lightss]

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.

[@elizalagonia1049]

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.

[@ahmadabdullah9338]

I feel like the Ivies will be your big novel Alexa

[@readerturnedwriter]

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

[@hglundahl]

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]

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]

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

[@knight671]

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

[@marthawilley5512]

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

[@ParanormallyCorrect]

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

[@ElliotfromOrlando]

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)

[@kiwikea2002]

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!

[@Zomxilla]

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]

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.

[@BrekkeEl]

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.

[@oliviamyers5466]

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 :)

[@bodine219]

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]

Good luck! 🍀

[@g.d.talbot7600]

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.

[@emilyshaw5945]

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

[@nannasskrivehjrne9494]

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]

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.

[@bookswmadi]

Are you still vlogging the progress of this book?

[@astoldb]

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:

[@martinbadino626]

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

[@AlexaDonne]

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.

[@littleviolet5284]

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.

[@bookswmadi]

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

[@littleviolet5284]

@@bookswmadi SAME! iam miserable~

[@ajmastel]

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

[@mar-sl5ji]

She's got a video on it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4q8Y6l6gMmqobc

[@ajmastel]

I hadn’t seen this one. Thanks!

[@susanbuckminster282]

Thank you!

[@stonersiren]

can you explain why you have to do line edits in word instead of scrivener? i'm confused by that

[@AlexaDonne]

Line edits are done using track/changes and it's a giant pain in the ass to import those into Scrivener to do.

[@rachelthome165]

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

[@AlexaDonne]

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.

[@CupCakeUnleashed]

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

[@Kaejennings]

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

[@havanaencalada4394]

Is it better to use Google docs or Word to write?

[@AlexaDonne]

Neither is better than the other but you do need to get comfortable using Word because it will be required for doing copy edits.

[@havanaencalada4394]

@@AlexaDonne Thank you. That helps a lot

[@ladyursala]

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? ....😂

[@kat-k.d.reidsbooks398]

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]

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

[@OroRosa9]