Are you feeling trapped in the heavy thicket of your manuscript, grappling with plot holes that seem deeper than a black hole? You’re not alone! As I dive back into my science fiction work-in-progress, I’ve unearthed the truth: structural editing can sometimes feel like trying to swim upstream with a bag of bricks. Sure, slapping down words in the first draft is a cakewalk, but revisiting and refining those words? That’s a whole different ballgame! During this arduous journey, I’ve noticed common themes in my struggles—like that one friend who shows up at every party uninvited. So, whether you’re wrestling with your own edits or just at a creative standstill, let’s explore crucial strategies to interrogate your story and unearth solutions. Trust me, facing these obstacles can light the way to a polished manuscript awaiting its moment in the spotlight. Ready to transform your writing with clarity? LEARN MORE.
Interrogate your novel for plot holes, and other ways to get unstuck when doing a structural edit
Are you working on a structural edit of your novel? I’m currently re-writing my science fiction WIP, and I’ve discovered just how much harder editing is for me than writing the first draft. Getting words down on the page is easy. Revising the words is not. I’ve hit the wall over and over.
Through the process, I’ve learnt that there’s commonality in the points that get me stuck. The same pitfalls trap me in different places. Overcoming writer’s block is hard at any time, but especially when you’re trying to make the manuscript ‘better.’ If that’s you, too, asking yourself these questions might help you bust through to the other side — and get your structural edit done.
Is the problem a lack of character development?
I have a pivotal point in my novel I’ve gotten stuck at, twice. I realised (eventually) that it was because the turning point hinged on the protagonist caring about a character who’d been barely introduced or seen. She had no reason to care about him any more than any other person in her city.
