I’m deep into the editing process of my second novel. Now having gotten initial feedback from my editor I’m shaping, reshaping, rewriting, and fixing everything from big to medium issues, and a few small things when I catch them (those are for later drafts). Second time through has been a different journey than with my first novel HOST. With HOST, I didn’t have a good idea of what I was doing. I read books on the craft and on editing and applied what little knowledge I had about my own process (which I’m still truly figuring out) to power through many, many drafts until I felt good. This time around I feel like I’ve been overplanning, making sure my plan of attack was perfect. Now, I know this, and I’ve said it before, nothing is perfect. But that didn’t stop me from trying, damnit! What did it get me? Lost time and stalled me dead in my tracks.
There are many approaches to editing and draft revisions. One of the most common is start with the big stuff, the big issues, the plot issues then narrow it down draft after draft. In my head this make sense and is somewhat of an approach I’ve taken but no matter the approach you simply have to start doing it. Make notes of all the obvious issues you know and can identify in that first read through (after taking some time away from it). Organize them in buckets of big, medium, small or whatever works for you. Then get to work. You still won’t catch everything but that’s OK. Like a first draft, starting is important, and maintaining momentum is key. If you identify an issue while editing, fix it if you can, otherwise, flag it and move on. But keep moving. I didn’t keep moving, I didn’t even start because I was looking for that perfect approach. I wanted to know everything before I started editing, because if I knew everything then it would be easier. The funny thing is, it’s not easy because you can’t know everything.
I got great feedback from editor, and she mentioned I’m in a better position than I was with my first novel. It didn’t feel that way, but looking back I am in a better spot. I actually learned something, go figure. This time around I’m learning that my planning can’t and shouldn’t be the end-all-be-all before I start working. I’m finding a balance between being ready to edit and actually editing, but there is a moment of you just have to start, and keep moving.
Root Access
I did my first radio interview back in early June. A local station in my home state of Connecticut, WOW Radio CT 97.7. It was a lot of fun, the hosts were great, and I came away with quite a few learning experiences. Mainly, I need to have my elevator pitch down for my books! Holy shit. You hear people say, ‘have an elevator pitch ready,’ and they’re right. I need a few tight sentences that capture my stories in a concise way. Also, I need to be better at self promotion. It’s a weird thing for me but something I need to embrace. I just got the interview clip and will be posting soon.
Finally, I’m about to take a short weekend trip to VT then to Montreal. I’m looking forward to it, looking forward to getting out of town (it’s been awhile) and this country for a bit (woof, it’s been awhile). Seeing some different sights, and interacting with different people will refresh my brain. Of course, I’ll still be editing while eating croissants in Montreal and drinking hazy IPAs in VT. I have a couple weeks to get this next draft done before it heads to beta readers. Which is…wild. Time doesn’t fuck around for anyone. Start and momentum.
Also I was wrong about my Golden Knights prediction. Former Hartford Whalers dominated. Good for them!
