Writing 'The Misfit' - Read it Aloud Stupid!

One thing that any one who is writing a work of fiction (or any writing in fact) needs to do before showing the work to someone else is to 'read the script' out loud. You cannot imagine how many glitches get evened out when doing this seemingly simple method of getting the flow and language right.

I used this tool while doing up the last two novels, normally did it in the last parts, but when I gave the manuscript of 'The Misfit' to Keerti this time I must confess I had not done it. So when I am rewriting and editing the manuscript now I can see how bad the construction of sentences is at times, how much it interferes with the flow and how easily it can be corrected by doing using this simple tool of reading aloud. Keerti mentioned it in her list of pointers to writers and I cannot tell you how important his is.

Anyone who wishes to improve on their reading and writing, and I see many students who want to do that, this is a great tool. First read out stuff from good sources, good novels, newspapers, magazines etc so you get a feel of the sentence construction, use of grammar etc. And then read out what you have written aloud, so you know where it is sounding off key. It will improve the writing tremendously. This is an absolute must before it goes off your desk into someone else's hands. And aloud means aloud, not under your breath or in your mind.

As I realised it now - read it aloud stupid!

The Misfit - Sent Off

Sending off one draft of 'The Misfit' to Keerthi started a whole new thought process in my mind. I can now see how more depth can be added to each episode, how each episode could be placed in a proper sequence, how I can actually place the episode in some contemporary context with a slight addition. Of course, this is the part that is the most interesting always. Getting the story done for the first draft is good but it is the filling of these little gaps, the cutting and pasting, the adding of a line, a nuance, here and there that I enjoy the most. The best lines, the best ideas seem to come now - little little ideas that add a lot to the end product.

Naturally it gets as delicious as a wonderful meal that needs to be garnished before one partakes of it. I speak more from the angle of the cook than the eater here. One can understand the satisfaction one gets while running these last parts. The path suddenly becomes clear, you also know now how the structure falls in and what you need to do to make it touch a new high, and you just can't wait to do it. You are waiting to start on it at the first opportunity, with a deliberate action that says - I am coming, I know how to fix you.

Work On New Novel - The Misfit

I have been putting in a few hours into getting 'The Misfit' into some shape. Now 'The Misfit' was the first complete novel that I wrote and as such is very close to my heart. So I will ensure that it gets published and gets into the public domain as my third novel. Since its been written and rewritten many times already I know the story well. I had a fair idea how the book progress but somehow the structure needed more definite boundaries which I succeeded in putting up.

Compound walls erected, broad divisions identified, progression logic under control, devices identified to make story tauter, it is generally falling in. I can see another 20% work before it gets into its final shape but its good enough for Keerti, my editor, to look at and give me her evaluation. I have a Bangalore trip planned to meet her this weekend. Only wondering about the shooting schedule. If there is shooting this week I will have to go early next week maybe.

After Keerti looks at it, I will sit down and rework it. But I have the story under control now, it will be much to do with presentation and delivery. Which could mean a complete rewrite of the story as well!

Anyway, glad that I finished the first draft. Celebration time!