Wednesday, June 3, 2009

My Frustrations of self-editing

So I have been done with the second draft of my book for less than a week now and have since bought a book (Revision & Self-Editing by James Scott Bell) that gives great advice about self-editing and how it's the best way to go. I'm pretty much in agreement with this author, since there are companies out there who charge an arm and a leg to do it for you and can do more harm than good. (Okay, I totally just strayed from my point...sorry!) So far, I'm think that this is great, since, for the most part, I'm on the right track. Here is the problem: I only said "for the most part". The other parts that I am off on, I am WAY off on. In less than two pages of reading, I wrote down over a page and half of notes where things will have to be changed. During this same chapter, it made me really start thinking of whether to cut at least one character out or not. This is, also, on top of a second version of my opening chapter that I just wrote Monday night/ Tuesday morning.... Oh boy! (This will come later.)

I'm trying to figure out if it's the critic in my mind coming out saying, "Why are you even putting yourself through this?" or if the author of this writers "Bible" is telling the honest to God truth and is really trying to make my (in this case) work better. When I started this book years ago, I knew how the process worked, but actually going through it is something totally different.

To those reading, if you haven't already noticed, you will be reading the random thoughts that I have while going through this process. Maybe in the end, my frustrations will all be worth it.

2 comments:

  1. I know it will be worth it! I already can't wait to read your stories. Yes, I put that in plural form, because knowing you, this is only the beginning. And then, someday, when you're rich and famous, I'll be able to say, "I knew her when..."

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