Editing Stage #1: Foundation

Last time, I introduced this short series on editing stages. I talked about how editing is like building a house: you start with the foundation and work your way up. Theoretically, then, it doesn't work to start with the decorative aspects and work to the foundation. This will only cause stress and frustration when you have to take your perfectly polished sentences and mess them up because you have a bigger problem to fix than just prose.

Today, I'm taking you to ground zero to lay the foundation for your story.

Starting at the foundation is pivotal, because it ensures your story is sound, inside out.

What is Story Foundation?

Before I begin, I must first explain what the foundation even is. Since I'm speaking in metaphorical terms, it might be confusing as to what I mean, though you can probably guess.

Basically, the foundation of your story is its plot, characters, and theory. All three combine to create stories that work, that impact us. Foundational editing, then, is making sure your plot, characters, and theme are all present and functioning.

Plot

I am a pantser, which means, instead of taking the time to really plot my story, I go into the writing process almost right away, discovering the story through writing. Hence the other name for this style: discovery writing. Because of this writing style, I almost always end up with a different plot than I expected. A new scene becomes the Midpoint, the second plot point is missing (true story), and the inviting event becomes the first plot point. Pantsing allows for the freedom I need to weave a story, but the plot line in my head can shift as I go along.

This is why starting at foundation level is so important. Even if you're the plottingest plotter, when you're done with a book, you might find things had changed. Which can be a good thing.

How I went about editing at this level was, I went through my whole manuscript, skimming for the plot points. I made up a separate Word document listing all the major plot points, in order, then filled it out as I came to them. This is how I realized my second plot point missing. With that knowledge, I was then able to find at what percent of the book, roughly, it should be in, then looked for a place I could add it.

Character

What would stories be without characters? They wouldn't be stories at all, because every story has someone that it's about. Characters are complex beings, people (of all kinds, humans, mythical creatures, animals) with personalities, backstories, needs, wounds, and desires that work together to me them who they are. And when they're in a story, they act within it, moving the plot forward, acting, living, dying, and making choices that change their lives and the lives around them for better or worse.

When editing comes to characters, focus on the character's actions and thoughts. Make sure you know his or her emotions, driving forces, temptations, and backstory well enough that you will be able to judge whether or not they're acting out of character, which is outside of how they would usually respond to something or someone. It might be as simple as your protagonist sitting around waiting for help when she would be more likely to be doing something about the situation. Or falling asleep during a time they would be most active. Characters acting out of character is one of the main reasons why readers lose their suspension of disbelief and they're taken out of the story.

You may find that you don't know your characters very well, and that's okay. While editing my book, I've found I didn't really know my protagonist. She's complex, driven by revenge and guilt, yet wanting to leave it all behind and embrace the new life she finds herself in. What really helped me was to skim through my book and focus on her, then take the Myers-Briggs and Enneagram personality tests as if I was her.

The results blew me away. She ended being the same personality as I, but a different Enneagram. Knowing her personality, strengths, weaknesses, key motivations and fears helped me better understand how to write her. Give it a try! It's well worth the exhaustion afterwards, trust me.

Theme

Among the three core parts of the foundation of story, I believe theme is probably the least emphasized. It is created when plot and character come together, and is essentially what your story is about, but it can be so subtle that it is hard to identify.

Your theme is determined by the characters themselves. Their needs and desires that lead to the conflict of the story is what creates it. Outer conflict is a direct result of what goes on inside of your characters, or is seen through the eyes of and dealt by that inner conflict.

An easy way to find your story's theme is to look at what is at the heart of your character's struggles. If he's on a quest to save his world from destruction, in the face of much opposition, the theme might be perseverance. If she's faced with a challenge that forces her to let go of herself so she can help others, the theme might be self-denial or generosity.

You might find that your story has multiple themes. Sometimes that is the case, but it might also be a sign that you haven't hit on the correct theme. Many sub-themes, if you will, can come from the overarching one. For example, I often tell people that the book im editing is about faith and revenge, when its theme could actually be just revenge. Its the faith side that creates the conflict of letting go of revenge.

With this section of editing, find your theme and make sure it is addressed in your story. Your plot points will at least touch on it, and the characters themselves will be affected by it.

Conclusion

Phew, that was an abnormally long post! There is a lot more to discuss about editing than one would think. I hope it was helpful.

Stay tuned until next week, when we discuss the next stage of editing: framework.

Writers, any thoughts? Have you ever edited the foundation of your story? If so, do you have a way that works for you?

Happy writing! (and editing:)