A Spot of Editing Over on Jan's Blog

Today I am guest blogger on the lovely Jan Baynham's Blog, talking about my editing process.

Jan has been doing a weekly series inviting writers to share how they approach the editing stage of their work. I've really enjoyed reading how others deal with this stage of writing!

Make a cuppa and pop on over to Jan's :)

Happy Sunday!

It's been a while...

Well! I have been very neglectful of my blog for well over a month now and I really should rectify that. So, where have I been? What have I been up to?


Actually the last six weeks have been somewhat of a blur. For a while my priorities were all skew-whiff, but I think I am getting back on track now. I won't go into details - I'll save that for a short story or two... haha!

I have been making up for lost time, that's for sure. I'm exhausted! I have been enjoying great interaction with my online writing group, who have been instrumental in giving me a gentle push in the direction of 'forwards'. 

Sharing 'works in progress', editing and offering and gaining feedback has been a really helpful and educational process; and fabulous practise at proofreading too. It's amazing what you can pick up from others, I feel I have learnt so much over the last week, all of which I hope, will have a positive impact on my own work.

I have read, re-read, edited, edited, edited and edited and read the first 50 pages of my novel - so much so, that I think I now know it word for word. Why? Because I have submitted it - to an actual publisher.  

I know - but I had nothing to lose. It was an open submission so I may as well go for it. Who cares about rejection? 

As well as the constant manuscript re-writes, I have been writing short stories for my new collection. A few months ago I informed Twitterland that I would be publishing it by the end of June. Thus, having stated this, I felt I had to actually deliver. Hopefully, after - guess what? - re-reads and editing - it will be up on Amazon before Monday. Fingers crossed.

Once it's up, I will be going back to novel writing. 

Such fun! 

I know a few writers who belong to writing groups (of the physical, meet-up kind) and find them invaluable, I wonder how many belong to an online group? I would love to hear from you about your experiences. Thanks for reading :)

Halfway There - I feel a Bon Jovi song coming on...

It feels like a massive accomplishment already - yes premature, but still - I have reached the half way mark of 40,000 words - Yay! :) 

It has taken just over two months, therefore the first draft should be completed by July by my reckoning. But then what?

The dreaded editing...

 I have mixed feelings about this part. I do seem to go over and edit each chapter as I go (can't stop myself) and so I wonder how I will find trying to edit again (and possibly again and again!). I really like this advice particularly the Tips for avoiding rejection as you edit your novel. 

Anyway, I guess I am getting ahead of myself, I should just be concentrating on completing the second half and worry about editing then. 

I am enjoying myself immensely - why oh why didn't I do this sooner?!

How are you getting on with your WIP? Finished? Not started? I'd love to hear from you about your progress.

Happy writing :)