As you all know I've been editing the novel on and off for about two months. Although I think it's about as good as I can get it on my own, every time I open the document I find something else tiny which needs tweaking.
But you can't go on like that for ever. Yesterday Hubby told me it was time I let it go and as it happens today was the date I'd agreed to get it to my lovely mentor Caroline for her final edit. It's gone.
So now I'm going to begin drafting my synopsis and query letter (though possibly not during the school holiday, which is about to start) and prepare myself for another round of edits when the novel returns.
And in the meantime my head is buzzing with ideas for future writing projects, which I need to pin down and prioritise...
13 comments:
Wow Cathy, that's great. Good luck with the edits.
Thanks JJ :)
Well done - a great milestone indeed! :)) Axxx
I'm almost there Anne, it's taken long enough!
Well done and good luck.
I know what you mean about edits, as I could go on forever changing my ms.
This is exactly where I am in the process too. I've been through the story a dozen times (each time finding another spelling error or other fix I need to make), and it is off with a trusted reader (who has had computer troubles, so her response is delayed). You're right about the fact that there will always be fixes or enhancements one can make with each read through and that at some point one must pull the trigger and let it go.
I've finally done that, and I've found my mind bubbling over with thoughts about other works I can begin. I've even started circulating some short stories just to keep myself busy and focused.
Good luck to you. Good luck to all of the writers of the world.
Debs- thank you. I know you understand :)
Paul Lamb - good luck with your manuscript too. I'm thinking of writing a short story or two during this breather from the novel.
Well done and good luck. Now get on with another project or two, but don't do what I did and end up with eight or nine projects.
Ha, I'm not that prolific, Captain Black! I'm thinking about/planning novel 2 but definitely won't start writing until novel 1 is doing the rounds of agents. Might try some flash fiction, which I enjoy writing, or a short story in the meantime.
Good luck :) [insert evil-editor-laugh] xxx
Caroline - I need it ;) xx
I keep thinking of you at the moment because I'm wondering about synopsis and query letter myself.
I imagine you're glad it's gone right now; good luck with it all when it comes back.
CJ xx
CJ - I think I am very much in need of that 'second pair of eyes' at the moment and having a break from the novel for a few weeks will also help. I know it's not quite ready for submission but I'm not sure yet how much more work will be needed! x
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