It’s getting closer to the end of the first pass. I’ll probably finish that tomorrow morning. Then I will begin applying what I’m learning from Self Editing for Fiction Writers from the beginning. As you may recall, I recommended this book awhile back. I applied some of what I learned at the tail end of my first pass of Twilight, and I was amazed at how much sense it made.

For the first time, adverbs began to look out of place (how long have I been hearing adverbs needed to be slashed mercilessly?). After reading this book, I finally understood why I should slash adverbs, so I could bring myself to do it.

In a similar vein, I understand why it’s OK and even preferable to use said instead of other dialog tags. Or even why a dialog tag may be redundant.

From 2YN First Five Pages critiques, I have a better understanding of WHY my opening doesn’t work. One alternative is to start the book at the chronological beginning, but that involves a couple embarking on an illicit affair (are there licit affairs, or is that like jumbo shrimp?) and graphic sex. I’m not certain that’s the proper opening for a book either. But doing it in a flashback scene later on isn’t good either.

I still have to apply Zette’s recent 2YN lessons as well. All this and more are what I get to ponder on this next pass. How many times do I do a One-Pass Revision? Until I’m comfortable the product is readable. Right now, it isn’t even close. But it’s leaps and bounds better than the first draft.