I haven’t mentioned my book in a while, though it consumes lots of space in my brain. I finished my last round of edits early this month, and just got the manuscript back from my editor this past Friday. I was hoping any remaining edits would be minor, but I wasn’t holding my breath. I have learned — Read More
Tag: editing
Publishing Journey: The Edits. Done. For Now.
Well, about a month after I received edits that sent me into a mild tailspin, I am done. The book is back with my editor. She will have it for a couple weeks, and then I’ll get another round of edits, which are supposed to be very minor. I have learned through this process not to — Read More
On the influence of the editor
Since receiving a round of fairly extensive edits on my book, I’ve been thinking a lot about how most of the books I read are probably very different from their first drafts. And that gets me thinking about the creation of art in general. If a writer is heavily influenced by an editor, is the book — Read More
Publishing Journey: The Edits
So, the last time I touched my book was in October, about 8 months ago. In November, I got verbal (and email) confirmation that St. Martin’s Press did, in fact, want to buy my book (woohoo!). I didn’t actually sign a contract until January. The wheels on this publishing bus go ’round and ’round, but — Read More
Publishing Journey: Impatience
There is one word NOBODY will ever use to describe me: Patient. I don’t even aspire to be more patient because it seems like striving for something impossible, like wishing I was shorter (which I do, occasionally, because I’m 5’11” and gangly as all hell). My brain moves really, really fast, and my expectations move at that — Read More
Bird by bird by bird by bird…
Somehow, despite being busy, I finished editing my book–for now (will there ever be a day when I don’t caveat this with “for now”?). If you asked me how this happened, I would say, “Slowly. One day at a time, AA style.” Or, as Anne Lamott would say, “bird by bird.” I re-read Anne Lamott’s — Read More
Oh, editing.
I’m getting ready to start editing my book. There, I said it. It’s going to happen. I can’t believe how much I’m dreading this. In general, I’m an ambitious go-getter, someone who does not know HOW to procrastinate. But, with writing, I am a champion procrastinator. It seems easy enough, right? Just set aside an — Read More
Quote of the month
“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” ~ Scott Adams, “Dilbert” cartoonist One of the best pieces of advice I’ve been given regarding writing is, “You have to learn to kill your darlings.” What this means is I have to learn to let go of those little nuggets — Read More