The Vision in Revision

Pending critiques from my fabulous reader, I have set aside the previous WIP (now with a new subplot and a faster pace) and turned my attention to an entirely different WIP. At 85,000 words, it’s not an enormous first draft, not by any stretch, and yet, it looms.

I found that after so many words and so much text, that I wanted something visual in terms of beginning this revision. Although I’m as digital as they get, I investigated all manner of visual revision techniques. I was looking for something that could show me the structure and pace of the novel, virtually at a glance. Although I never did light upon the magic method that would make clear to me my path, I found several things to think about.

In this three-part series on methods of visual revision, I want to share with you the results of my searching and the two applications that I ultimately used (Scrivener and Google Docs’ spreadsheet) to give me a handle on the big picture.

Hey, it’s called the big picture for a reason.

This first post is my breadcrumb trail of the internet resources that I pondered. Each has good information on revision and plotting, as well as offering something in terms of a visual technique.

The Index Card Method and Structure Grid by Alexandra Sokoloff
Although I’ve analyzed novels using the index card method, I’ve never written or revised one using it. While the article doesn’t provide any images of index cards on a corkboard, they’re readily imagined. In spite of many writers employing the use of index cards, I still resist it (not digital enough or neat enough and my handwriting sucks). Ironically, I would later use Scrivener’s corkboard and index card view.

The Beat Sheet – Your at-a-glance revision blueprint by Roz Morris
Again, no images, but Roz provides a complete description on how the beat sheet should be drawn and colored, with a passing nod toward the spreadsheet.

How to Write a Book by C. J. Omololu
I thought this was an interesting spin on using a grid on paper. I particularly liked how adjacent grids were next to each other for a reason.

Plotting? Moi? by Terry Odell
Of multi-colored sticky notes and a foam core triptych–and finally, a picture here.

Nano Tip #13: Pace Charts by Scott Westerfeld
Scott used to use a spreadsheet but is now using Scrivener’s corkboard. It would seem we are ships passing in the night.

How to write a novel by Justine Larbalestier
Justine is using a spreadsheet and coming dangerously close to what I think will turn out to be my favorite method.

Plotting with Scenes by Darcy Pattison
I enjoyed the images of office products that might prove handy.

Below are some visual techniques for brainstorming, not really for revision, but I didn’t want to leave them out.

Bigger Paper, Bigger Ideas by Kitty Bucholtz
Sometimes it takes something very different to break out of a writing rut or see things in a new way.

Brainstorming with the Wonder Wheel by Shonna Slayton
I just had to play with the wonder wheel. It is Google after all.

SimpleMind Express
It’s a free tool for the iPhone or the iPod touch that’s similar to Google’s Wonder Wheel. I’ve used it a couple of times, just to see what the brain would storm.

Do you have a visual technique that you use for writing?