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The idea isn't to read it in this state (which is single spaced and microscopic) but to get an overall sense of where the story stands. With the entire manuscript before you, you can determine what's working and what needs work.
There are a limitless number of ways a shrunken manuscript can be used. Grab a few markers, create a key, and use it to determine:
- story strands
- changes in voice for stories told in multiple points of view
- instances of conflict
- the story's movement through dialogue, thought, and action
Darcy's activity nicely paralleled the work I'd just completed before her retreat: the final drafting of May B. As I'd never written a verse novel before (and had only read two before trying!), the idea of a quilt unfolding square by square -- or poem by poem -- was largely what kept me moving forward. I trusted that certain themes and ideas would resurface as I wrote, just as certain patterns emerge as a quilt takes shape.
I've just finished drafting another historical verse novel and have kept this quilt concept in mind. On Wednesday I'll show you how I've used it in revision.
Confession: I know nothing about quilting. It's the metaphor that counts.
11 Comments on Quilting a Verse Novel -- With Thanks to Darcy Pattison, last added: 10/4/2012
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Darcy is also an accomplished quilter! And hey, you might give quilting a go. It's a wonderful way to spend one's time. And yes, a great metaphor for a lot of things!
Spoken as a woman in the know!
What a neat idea! I like the thought of a pattern of themes and ideas resurfacing. I've thought about doing the "shrunken manuscript" idea (although I'd never heard it called that) but at 90,000 words or so, my manuscripts always seemed overwhelming to do that. I may have to try it someday... when I'm bold! :)
"All" you have to do is single space, take out all white space between chapters, and make it a small font -- maybe 8pt. I bet your book would come in around 45-50 pages. Manageable spread out across the floor!
Actually, for longer novels, if you add in 2 columns, it becomes even smaller, as that takes care of short lines. It should be about 40 pages, which you can easily see.
Darcy
Caroline:
Thanks for the shout out! I am actually a quilter. See my daughter's wedding quilt:
http://www.darcypattison.com/writing-life/texas-star-quilt/
Glad to see that you've finished a new novel--I love MAY B. and can't wait to read this one.
Darcy
Thanks, Darcy. Off to check it out!
I love the quilting metaphor (and I'm not a quilter either, but I have a good friend who is, and constantly urges me to try it -- maybe now that I have more time on my hands, I'll give it a go).
The only thing that concerns me about the shrunken manuscript idea is the tiny font. I have enough trouble with my eyes as it is! You say it's not for reading, but you'd have to be able to see it well enough to determine things like changes in voice and instances of conflict. Right? Or am I interpreting this in the wrong way?
Great question!
The idea is to also work with a standard manuscript at the same time. That way, if you notice chapter 13 has no conflict, for example, you can mark the shrunken manuscript with a big red X over the chapter. Does that make sense?
I'm a quilter and a verse novelist so I can relate to your metaphor.
As for the shrunken manuscript, I do this a lot just in Word for Windows. I will save a new copy of the manuscript and color code scenes and characters. Then I shrink the view down to 10% size. This way I see what's happening and if anything seems off balance with chapter lengths, scene lengths, characters etc.
Gabrielle, I love this! That's a perfect way to see your book as a whole while avoiding all that printing. Looks like I need to pick up quilting, by the way.