<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s take a look at the elements of a story. This pyramid comes from Hal Croasmun. You see the base of the pyramid, the foundation the entire story relies upon, is the STORYLINE. The tippy top #6 WORD CHOICES is far from the key factor in the story. It\u2019s what the reader sees, but if the lower levels are flawed, pretty words and just the right verb won\u2019t do much to engage and entertain a reader.<\/p>\n
![\"rewrite](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.smoothdraft.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/rewrite-pyramid-jpg.jpg?resize=392%2C288\")
<\/p>\n
POINT OF PYRAMID Level #6. Word choices = least impact on the story<\/p>\n
5. Dialog<\/p>\n
4. Action<\/p>\n
3. Situation (conflict\/challenge)<\/p>\n
2. Characters<\/p>\n
BASE OF PYRAMID Level #1. Storyline (concept, structure, plot and theme) = largest impact on the story<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Editing\u2014working with what you already have to make it read the best it can be, but it\u2019s basically wordsmithing. (levels 4-6)<\/p>\n
Rewriting\u2014work on levels 1-5. Improving major and minor aspects of the first five levels. The wordsmithing of editing won\u2019t fix a broken story. It\u2019s like putting new curtains on a house whose roof is falling in. \u00a0It\u2019s also why when we get hooked into a really good story, we overlook less-than-stellar technical skills.<\/p>\n
WHY REWRITE?<\/h2>\n
This looks like a no-brainer. In fact, there is more to it than just identifying and fixing what doesn\u2019t work or polishing your word choices.<\/p>\n
1. Does your story fulfill your vision?<\/strong><\/p>\n When you sat down to plan or write this story, how did you imagine it would end up?\u00a0 Is it what you expected? Is more (great!) or less. If it doesn\u2019t meet your expectations, dig to find out why.<\/p>\n Did your hero turn out to be kind of weak? Did the main plot drag and fizzle in the middle? Did your other MC go off on a tangent? Did your story stay true to the genre?<\/p>\n If you spot where the story has disappointed you, figure out how to correct it. If you\u2019re not sure what\u2019s wrong, have another person read it, and show them the pyramid. Which level isn\u2019t working for you?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2. Elevate the quality<\/strong><\/p>\n Maybe everything works and you\u2019re happy with the whole thing. A ground-up analysis can still make it even better.<\/p>\n Your MC has a secret that creates complications. Now, what if you add in that her secret is connected with one of the other characters, further complicating the plot, characters and motivations? Better, right?<\/p>\n Your MC\u2019s father lost his family farm, that changed her life. She meets the hero while trying to find out who is behind it. Now, what if they are starting to fall for each other during the course of the investigation and it turns out it was HIS FATHER?<\/p>\n You can go back and add another layer or twist even to a good story to make it great. Or a great story to make it incredible. It will mean some extra work to smooth in the new elements and properly set them up earlier in the book, but it\u2019s worth it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To really improve your story, do a thorough rewrite first, then polish the finished product with editing\/wordsmithing to eliminate mistakes.<\/p>\n Most publishers focus on EDITING at level 6. A few dig to level 5, but you will almost never find an editor at a publisher who helps you correct or fine-tune issues at level 1-4. But these are the elements that really determine story quality and reader reaction. You will need to work on this yourself.<\/p>\nPROCESS<\/h2>\n