I think it was one of my very first college professors that suggested reading something backwards for editing purposes. I've done it periodically for short pieces of writing, and recently read Everdream backwards in its entirety. It's pretty tedious, but it was super valuable for editing.
We all know that once we've read our book a few times, it becomes easier and easier to overlook things. We become too close to it. We read through and find ourselves spacing out a bit because we've read it so many times already, it seems practically memorized. I for one am really big on flow in my writing. But when you get to flowing along over the pages, before you know it you've passed right over something.
With the backwards read, you take out the flow. You take out the context. All you have is each sentence, standing on its own strength. Or not. And then you get to slash and tweak. I found so many typos or just plain sucky sentences I hadn't noticed in the many front-to-back reads I'd done of this book. I also found a lot of the same words too close together, and had a lot of epiphanies about plot and character and inconsistencies and such that had never occured to me before.
Anyways, I'll quit blabbing. I love the backwards read. You get it. Now I'm scared, because it's getting pretty close to querying this baby. And it'll either be third-times-the-charm or my agent search will be on pause for a while while I explore other options.
Have you done a backwards read? What's your fave editing tip? Hope everyone has a fab week!
P.S. Check out Write Club if you haven't recently - it's down to 10 peeps and things are getting super intense!
I've never done the backwards read. I've tried the 'change your font' trick - which works pretty well for finding things because it shakes your brain up a little. I've also done the 'convert it to PDF and read it on an ereader' thing. That seems to help because I'm not tempted to change anything - just note it and move on. What I usually do, though, is print the book chapter by chapter and edit it like I'm grading one of my daughter's school papers - red pen, no mercy. Or I just give it to her and she marks the heck out of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad the backwards read is working for you and you're hammering it out. Go you! My fingers are crossed for you.
I've never thought of this, but what a fabulous idea! Next time I'm revising, I'm definitely going to try this method. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteSo you don't literally read it backwards but one sentence at a time in reverse order? That I could do.
ReplyDeleteI've done a backwards read. I skipped out on it in the last few drafts because of time and wanting to get it to beta readers, but I really shouldn't skip it. What I have done recently is go into Word options and checkmark everything for spelling and grammar. I've caught so many mistakes that I've overlooked before, particularly with passive sentences.
ReplyDeleteAlex, yes I mean one sentence at a time for sure! One word at a time would be tricky :) Sorry I didn't clarify that.
ReplyDeleteThe backward read works... I work in marketing and always read final print proofs backward to pick up spelling and grammar mistakes... haven't attempted and entire novel this way though. Am too chicken:)
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried it--sounds like a lot of work, but worth it. I usually read my ms aloud, and that catches a lot of repeated words and stuff. I should really try the backward one! I didn't know really how to do it...you just read each sentence and then go to the previous one?
ReplyDeleteHi, Alexia. I actually have never heard of this backwards read technique before. I'll have to try that on the next thing. I guess you learn something new every day, huh? Thanks for sharing. Wishing you the best with your project, my friend.
ReplyDelete-Jimmy
I've heard of the backwards read, but I've never done it. I tend to give myself some space from a manuscript and come back to it. That usually works well for me. Good luck with your queries!
ReplyDeleteKeep babbling, I like what you have to say!
ReplyDeleteI never thought of doing this. I don't know if I could read my whole manuscript this way, but I could definitely use it on some slow passages to see what 's not working. Thanks!
I have never done a backwards read, I like the idea and will do it for my next book.
ReplyDeleteBackwards reads are so helpful! I love getting my Kindle to read aloud - it's a great way to spot typos.
ReplyDeleteI havent' and at first I was thinking, no, no I can't do that, but by the end of your (short) post (I didn't think you were babbling), I think you convinced me to try it. I'm a lousy editor, I've decided recently, so this may be the trick that helps me out. We'll let erica decide. Also, I do not get nervous about starting the query process, I get excited. I think I'm addicted to it. Not a good thing. But, best of luck to you and YAY! christy
ReplyDeleteI've heard of the backwards read and it makes complete sense, but I've never actually tried it. It does seem tedious =/ but, hmmm, I think you may have convinced me.
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