Multiplication in Revision

Brandy Colbert (left) and Elena K. Arnold (right)

Elena K. Arnold and Brandy Colbert drew from their experience writing numerous novels, many award-winners, to give an outstanding webinar on revising for plot. One suggestion, that stood out is to look where multiplying the voices in a scene might add richness to your work. Typically writers strive to streamline unnecessary characters, but if a chapter is flat doing the opposite might do the trick. Whether that means more characters, different characters, or even adding a fresh point of view. 

Colbert gave the example of a scene for her book The Voting Booth in which the two main characters are in line to vote. The original draft had only the two main characters talking to each other about voting. It dragged. When she revised so the characters talked to other people in line it opened up the entire scene. Now instead of being dry, there were fresh perspectives and experiences her characters could react to. There were social dynamics and opportunities for humor and heart. Sometimes multiply characters brings a scene to life.  

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Presenters: Elena K. Arnold & Brandy Colbert

Host: SCBWI Digital Archive