How often do you re-read the whole ms?

BlueTexas · Jun 27, 2007

I wonder how often you guys go back and read the whole ms of a novel while you're writing it? I'm in mid-book, and it seems like every few weeks I'm reading from the beginning to get a handle on the story, or search out some detail.

Is that normal, or am I a really poor note-taker?

maestrowork · Jun 27, 2007

Not really, not until I'm done with the whole thing. I do read a few chapters back, just to keep my mind fresh on what I've written so far.

Claudia Gray · Jun 27, 2007

maestrowork said:
Not really, not until I'm done with the whole thing. I do read a few chapters back, just to keep my mind fresh on what I've written so far.

This is my approach as well; it's good to stay in the rhythm of "what's happening now," but if I kept tinkering with the first part of the book all the time, I'd never finish! I don't read the whole thing until I've written the whole thing.

Azraelsbane · Jun 27, 2007

I agree with the above responses. I read over the chapter or two prior to what I'm currently writing, but I don't usually read the entire manuscript until after I'm finished. Trust me, once you're done with it you'll be feeling sick with the number of times you read over the entire thing for edits.

Of course this is why it is imperative that you have others look over it as well. After the 4th time through your manuscript you'll likely miss half of what is actually written due to skimming.

BlueTexas · Jun 27, 2007

I must just have a poor memory. I have promised myself that I will not edit until I reach the end, and I've stuck to it. I've just been reading to refresh myself - what bits did I stick where, what can I pull forward, etc.

Death Wizard · Jun 27, 2007

I don't re-read the entire manuscript until my second draft, but that's not saying that it's a bad idea to do so. Actually, if you have the time and patience, it's probably a good idea. I do re-read about the previous ten pages though.

Penguin Queen · Jun 27, 2007

BlueTexas said:
I must just have a poor memory. I have promised myself that I will not edit until I reach the end, and I've stuck to it. I've just been reading to refresh myself - what bits did I stick where, what can I pull forward, etc.

Mebbe it might be a good idea to write out a synopsis, one that summarises who does what when, where, how and why, for the bit you've already written, as well as for the bits yet to come?

thethinker42 · Jun 27, 2007

I usually print it out and read it at the more or less halfway point, then when it's completely done. Otherwise, sometimes I'll give it a once-over if I want to get a feel for how things are going, or if I haven't looked at the particular WIP in a while. I do have a rule that I have to write at LEAST 3 chapters between "read-throughs". Otherwise, I'd keep reading and not get any writing done.

reenkam · Jun 27, 2007

If I haven't worked on a WIP in a while then I'll read the beginning of every chapter to get back into that style of writing/voice etc. When I'm working on someone continuously I'll go back to reread tiny sections if I forget specific events or something. But I've never reread the whole thing before finishing.

Though I admit that I will go back and read chapters just for fun. Sometimes without any intent to actually continue the WIP either. Just cause I think it's a good story... :Shrug:

BlueTexas · Jun 27, 2007

thethinker42 said:
I do have a rule that I have to write at LEAST 3 chapters between "read-throughs". Otherwise, I'd keep reading and not get any writing done.

Good rule! After thinking about it, I've been re-reading every two chapters or so.

Ziljon · Jun 27, 2007

BlueTexas said:
I wonder how often you guys go back and read the whole ms of a novel while you're writing it? I'm in mid-book, and it seems like every few weeks I'm reading from the beginning to get a handle on the story, or search out some detail.

Is that normal, or am I a really poor note-taker?

I'm the same way, Blue. For me it's to make sure that I've haven't written a wrong note. Each time I read it it has to grab me, and if I get to any part that doesn't, I fix it. Also, I'm in the first 100 pages, and I'm still discovering where it's going. Although I didn't start with an outline, I'm finding that now I know where it's going and I have to go back to make minor adjustments which, in turn, might ripple through or suggest some new plot twist.

Sometimes, (perhaps depending on how much coffee I have in me), I get little shivers of excitement when I re-read, and that gives me the confidence I need to go on.

Also, this is a sequel, and I'm still unsure whether I've given enough or too much back-story. But I did the same thing on the first book, so I guess that point is moot.

Anyway, I'm glad to find there's someone else out there with this technique.

-Ziljon

Julie Worth · Jun 27, 2007

Once finished, ten to twenty times. First chapters, even more. While writing, never.

reenkam · Jun 27, 2007

Julie Worth said:
Once finished, ten to twenty times. First chapters, even more. While writing, never.

I don't think I could ever read anything that many times....

IrishScribbler · Jul 2, 2007

I do flip back to sections at a time, but I don't reread the whole MS regularly.

Danger Jane · Jul 2, 2007

Hardly. Maybe I'll go back and reread a scene if I decide to change something partway through the first draft, but mostly...no, I just work ahead.

JoNightshade · Jul 2, 2007

My current WIP is the first time I have ever tried NOT doing read-throughs all the time. And actually it's working quite well. I keep another document open and whenever I realize that I'm adding something that needed to be supported earlier in the story, I add it to my list of "second draft edits." IE, a certain room needed to be described earlier in the novel so that I can use it effectively in a later scene.

So far, this method is working really well. I'm over 75% done in just a couple of months, which is the fastest I've ever written anything.

On the other hand, I now have a two-page list of things I need to edit and change... second draft is gonna be a PAIN IN THE NECK.

But I'm actually kind of excited about getting to the end and then sitting back and reading it through for the very first time!!! In the past, I would have been totally sick of the novel by the time I typed the last line, but this time I'm anticipating the end.

sunandshadow · Jul 2, 2007

I often re-read the 2-3 pages before the point where I'm writing, but if I read more than that at a sitting I get into reading mode and forget to edit.

gp101 · Jul 3, 2007

Julie Worth said:
Once finished, ten to twenty times. First chapters, even more. While writing, never.

I'm right with you. After my first draft is done, 10 to 20 times easy during revision, most of them after major (and multiple) chapter changes. The first chapter alone I've read well over 100 times, no doubt. I fixated on it because I never felt good about it. Granted, I'm on my fourth completely different chapter one for this particular novel. I think I finally have it right. But because it's so important, and so demanding (set the scene, introduce the MC, get the plot going, etc) I fixated on it.

During the actual writing of the first draft, I often started a writing session by reading the previous chapter or two. It sort of revved me up for writing the next installment (could be just one new chapter, maybe three depending how tired I was, how inspired, how much time I had). And if I ever got stuck--I won't call it full-blown writer's block, but close--I would start reading from chapter one.

Captain Morgan · Jul 3, 2007

Right now I'm waiting to finish my MS before I even think about re-reading it over. I know i'll be re-reading plenty times over as it is.

Jamesaritchie · Jul 3, 2007

Read

BlueTexas said:
I wonder how often you guys go back and read the whole ms of a novel while you're writing it? I'm in mid-book, and it seems like every few weeks I'm reading from the beginning to get a handle on the story, or search out some detail.

Is that normal, or am I a really poor note-taker?

Never before I finish the first draft. Once the first draft is finished, I read through once during the second draft, and again for the final editing/polish.

How often do you re-read the whole ms?

BlueTexas

Back from self-exile land.

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Claudia Gray

Azraelsbane

Agony is defeat

BlueTexas

Back from self-exile land.

Death Wizard

Tumhe na koci puujetha

Penguin Queen

Break the rules.

thethinker42

Abnormal Romance Author

reenkam

aka cupcake

BlueTexas

Back from self-exile land.

Ziljon

Tortilla di Patate

Julie Worth

What? I have a title?

reenkam

aka cupcake

IrishScribbler

Danger Jane

JoNightshade

has finally arrived

sunandshadow

Impractical Fantasy Animal

gp101

Captain Morgan

Jamesaritchie