I'd say I write it at least once on every page.
No, really, it's a lot.
That note is, of course, more. Really, I've looked at it so many times I'm not actually sure it's a real word anymore. I guess it's a good thing that I notice the need for more, though. A certain paragraph may not seem clear enough, or not dive deep enough into what's going on or what the characters are thinking or feeling. At least if you know a scene needs more, you can eventually figure out what to put there. But what do you do once you know you need more? How much more do you need?
For me, the "more" note usually means that I rushed through a scene or a moment. I didn't draw it out enough, give the characters enough to say so that it seemed realistic and got the point across to the reader. Or maybe I had an idea and I got the bare bones of it down but I didn't really give enough to get the point across. Sometimes when you're writing a first (or second) draft, the ideas may not be as concrete as you'd like them to be, but you know there's something there so better to put something down to fix later than nothing at all.
In the case of that last more more more, I had definitely rushed the end of the chapter. I don't know how I didn't notice it before. I've literally spent two chapters of one character saying "we should get together somehow," and the other responding with, "no no no absolutely not." Then in less than a page I have him change his mind and say, "yeah, ok." I obviously need to get to that point for the story's sake, but I got there way too quickly. It just doesn't make any sense for the pace of the scene or for that character at all. There needs to be way more thought process and way more discussion for him to suddenly change his mind. Because it shouldn't be sudden at all, it should be gradual. Even if that change of heart happens over the course of one scene, it still needs to be drawn out properly.
Hence all the more. At least I know where it needs to happen. What exactly that "more" needs to be, can be a little bit trickier. But I take it one paragraph at a time.
Good for you for recognizing when you need "more" - whatever that is at the time. It's such an important part of editing and revising.
ReplyDeleteThat red pen would make me too anxious though. I'd need a soft green or something instead. :)
It's funny I read this today; yesterday I was writing the same on my ms :-)
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing—and have the same issues—both in writing that first draft, and editing it. My margins always say 'expand on this' or 'insert deep emotional thoughts here' or something along those lines.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your take on this. I can find it tricky to know whether I'm rushing a scene and need more or if I'm taking to long to get to the point.
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing on practically every page. I always rush through a scene and need to force myself to go back and flesh it out. I've even typed in notes like "Add more description" in the chapters I send out to my crit partners, just so they know I plan on doing more with that section.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this! I always think it's just me that needs to write "more" of everything - description, scene, dialogue, etc. I read about writers who have first drafts of 150,000 words and I feel like hiding my 60,000 word rough drafts in a dark place. I may need to change words or cut weak words or scenes (once half of a novel), but I never need to edit down my word count because I always need "more!"
ReplyDeleteWriting a reminder like "more" is a great idea to remind yourself that scene isn't quite complete. My manuscripts have notes all over them, usually in red, so I don't skip over that part. Good for you and good luck.
ReplyDeleteI thought "awk" was all mine! Oh well, I'm glad to share.
ReplyDeleteI've done similar when writing. There will be a scene that I'm not entirely sure of the words, but I know what I want done, so I leave a note to flesh it out later. Then I usually forget about it until I'm rereading and come upon the note.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that you can spot those areas for yourself. I rely heavily on my critique partners to tell me when I'm glossing past something I should have gone more in depth on.
ReplyDelete@mirymom1 from
Balancing Act
The most common notation that I use while editing is "?", which is usually preceded by brackets around the offending group of words. For me, it signifies what was written needs to be clarified (either shortened or lengthened) because as is doesn't make sense.
ReplyDeleteI Are Writer!
That's a word that appears frequently in my edits as well. Often, it only takes an addition of one sentence or some clarification to get where I'm going, but sometimes there are whole new scenes that spawn. Usually my word is, "Work on this," which I know isn't a word, but it communicates the same thing, eh?
ReplyDeletei have to add more to every edit - i always rush. and the climax is the worst because it's so exciting and i know what's coming! more build up and suspense makes for a better climax (ha ha - sorry, been around my 8th grade students too long!)
ReplyDeletehappy spring!
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