Edits

Jump in the water's fine!

Right.

Editing waters are anything but fine, and as I doggie paddle through my second WIP, I can say that with time and experience, if anything, they have become more turbulent, and I know why.

That first WIP - there's the thrill of finishing it (at least for me) - it took me many years to get THAT idea. You know the one - where angels sang, and the lights went out, and your favorite song played on the radio 24 hours a day just to keep you inspired... yeah that one. And I remember finishing that one and feeling so proud of myself.

I also remember the editing process for that one. My fine toothed comb was not so finely toothed - I'll blame the dog for chewing on it - but I also must blame myself. I didn't know any better.

Here's the bottom line - editing a story - not even in the same geographic location as editing a paper - something as a teacher and student I had done thousands of times.

I thought, as I am sure many others have, that I was brilliant. Every word was beautifully placed and paced throughout... oh I was so out of my league.

Long story just a tad shorter - two years after I finished the first did I finally realize the editing process: you need more than a fine toothed comb.

You need a critical eye and the ability to ask, "Really?"
You need a sharp instinct and the ability to slash your way through page after page
You need a quick mind as you evaluate characters - do they really need to be there? do they really have to do that?

If you can't answer yes - hell yes - oh em ef ge are you kidding me yes...then it's time to cut that too.

Flash forward to Nanowrimo 2011 - then now a few months later as I wade through WIP#2...

the editing waters are not fine - but if you have a life preserver you can make it through them. I'm living proof - paper cuts, ink stains and doubts as living proof.

Here's my advice: take the time to cut your baby book apart. In the end, it will be stronger.

The Journey

I love to write. I may not do it consistently, but I still get swept away by an idea and love the thrill of the unknown.

I love to write. I may have allowed a few "inspirational" successful writers tell me that if I can't write every day then I must not REALLY want it. (Though at the time all I really wanted to do was tell "inspirational" writer where to shove it.)

I love to write, and have been actively trying to improve as a writer for the past two years. I have been writing for... yeah, I'll plead the fifth on that one, but it wasn't until much more recently that I realized that I loved it.

It also wasn't until recently - and when I say recently, I don't mean yesterday, I mean about the last year and a half, that I have begun to see just how much goes into writing and then publishing the written word, and that I truly began to take a serious approach to being a writer and wanting to become a published author.

This blog will highlight some of the highs and lows that I have discovered along my journey, and will hopefully help me laugh at some more speed bumps that I am sure I'll stumble upon in the coming days - weeks - months - years.

Care to join me for the journey?