Saturday, June 28, 2008

The Annual Frivolous Foot Photo, and Excellent Revision Advice

I got a pretty pedicure this morning, so here is my annual Frivolous Foot Photo:

Yay! (Previous Photos: 2005-I; 2005-II; 2006. Just in case anyone thought this blog was, you know, serious.)

(Though this post does demonstrate the power of the capital letter, for if I called this a "frivolous Foot Photo," I would be calling the photo frivolous; whereas by calling it a "Frivolous Foot Photo," I am calling my feet frivolous. A hugely important distinction, as you can tell, though I have to admit "frivolous Frivolous Foot Photo" would be most accurate.)

But in totally non-frivolous news: If you're a novelist, I command you to read this article by Anita Nolan (PDF, linked at "The End Is Only the Beginning") on self-editing a revision. It is the best list of practical writing and rewriting tips I have seen in a very long time, or possibly ever. (With, of course, the caveat at the end of the article, that you should know what works for you in your writing process and voice and follow those first.) I've already taken things from it to use in my own editing. Seriously, seriously, seriously, check it out.

Finally, new poll, just for my own curiosity. Thank you for voting!

12 comments:

  1. Nice toes!

    Great article--thanks for the link.

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  2. Thanks so much for the article -- will read!
    And pretty tootsies! ;)

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  3. Thanks for the link to the Sprouts essay. It's wonderful advice -- very detailed, very organized, very thorough. Coincidentally, I am just today finishing a revision for my editor, but I'm two months ahead of schedule, so I'm planning on going back and walking through these steps to see if I can, um, kick it up another notch.

    LurkerMonkey

    and p.s., are those really YOUR feet, or did you use a foot model? I hear every editor nowadays has a stand-in foot model ...

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  4. Awesome toe separation! My own toes seem to overlap so that when I trim them I have to use little blue foam separators...

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  5. Cheryl,

    Thank you so much for the kind words! (And, great feet--I see a possible second career as a foot model in your future!)

    anita

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  6. Great article by Anita Nolan. Thanks for the heads up!

    Donna

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  7. My sister-in-law is a foot model, by the way. Perfect size 6, which is a requirement. And she gets to keep the shoes.

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  8. Dang it! I'm a size 8-8.5.

    [ scratches "foot model" off list of alternate careers ]

    Thanks for the kind words for my toes!

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  9. Oh, man, (looking at my hobbit feet), I have pedi envy.

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  10. Bunions, a callous or two, and mine are a size 9 1/2 -- and I think my feet are gorgeous!! With a good pedi all feet are pretty. Your tootsies are first class! Don't give up your dream of a second career, Cheryl!!

    Your poll was most interesting.

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  11. Revision advice is indeed excellent and in my case, timely. Thank you!

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