A Novel Approach

Almost there! The quality control copy of the manuscript has been back and forth to the editors a few times in the last month, and that's it ... done! We've sorted out the blurb for the back cover too. By the end of next week I should have the manuscript back again with all the formatting changes to approve, which means there's a proof copy of the book on the horizon. Very exciting stuff!

Hey everyone! I hope everyone had a great New Year? So, I've now had the quality checked draft of the manuscript back from the publisher, and I've gone through the corrections and changes briefly (last night). It's looking in good shape! There are some errors that crept in, and some corrections that need to be implemented, but on the whole I wasn't expecting too much at this stage. I've read this manuscript too many times, so having two editors going over it with a fine tooth comb, has picked up the errors you simply just overlook when you've read something too many times yourself. This has brought home the importance of having your work proof read and edited professionally! I don't plan to change anything in the manuscript now, although I have amended a couple of sentences to make things sound better! Once this process is complete, then there'll be no chance to make more changes, without causing massive delays and incurring costs (as things will...

Hey, it's been a while (again). I've been busy going over the edits from the publisher, and we've finally finished them! It's back to them now for the Quality Check, which will hopefully pick up anything everyone else has missed. I should have that back in late January, so will wait and see what that turns up. Otherwise, the manuscript is looking great! Just need to relax now and enjoy Christmas with the family! Oh, and if you want something else to read (if you're even reading this), check out my wattpad and the story I've started to write on there. It's unfinished, and in progress. So sign up for free and you'll get notified every time I add a new chapter. I'm trying to write one chapter a week, but don't hold me to that! https://www.wattpad.com/user/BeakerZ I'm also working on a new manuscript, so these little side stories help me to experiment with ideas and writing styles.

OK, so it's been a while. How are you doing? Really? That's [delete as appropriate] good/terrible! I said in my last post that I was finishing my 4th draft and getting ready to submit the manuscript to my editors ... yeah stuff happened. Mostly because juggling two young children (not literally) and finding time at the end of the day to write, has been a struggle. I missed out on some writing time on the family holiday, due to ... well not going (kids with chicken pox and border control aren't best friends). So what have I been doing? Another edit! But, I think this has been only for the best. I've seen lots of things in my writing that I suddenly realised, I didn't like, or didn't read well. I've revisited the dialogue and made improvements there. I've trimmed some of the waffle, which makes the text easier to read. A few changes to the plot and characters here and there, hopefully makes them more believable? About a year ago I posted a chart show...

Phew! It's taken a while, but I "think" I've finished editing! I'm still a perfectionist, so could easily go back and do another edit ... then another ... I need to know when to stop Any advice here would be appreciated! I've been writing my first novel for about 2 years now and just don't know when to let it go. I've got another BETA reader lined up, so will let them take a look and see what they think. My problem now is, will I ever be happy with my own work? Maybe I am happy with it? But I can just keep seeing ways to change the story and keep turning it into something a little different each time. Does anyone else have this problem? When do you stop and call it a day, let your editor have it and move on?  I have lots of ideas for other books (which I think I've mentioned in other posts) and am keen to try something else now.  I'm sure my editors and publisher will come up with plenty of changes, but I have to remember that this...

Just realised I've neglected my blog for a while and it's feeling a little sorry for itself. So here's a quick update on progress on the novel. 4th Edit/Rewrite After having some amazing feedback from my BETA readers, I've decided that I need to take a more severe hatchet strike to my manuscript. It was apparent that some things weren't clear to the reader, some of the dialog needed revisiting and some of the plot needed ... adjustments (" The Plot Adjustment Bureau ", sounds like a Jasper Fforde  novel!). Having this as my first exposure to writing and polishing a manuscript has been a struggle to be honest. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the learning curve, but it has made me think about how I write. Finding time has been a bit of a problem recently, what with two demanding kids and a busy family life, but that's just an excuse really. Aren't they all? So I am about two-thirds of the way through the manuscript for the upteenth tim...

Yay! Finally I've finished editing the 3rd draft of my manuscript! It's down to about 75,300 words now, so have dropped a fair chunk (was 81,000) out of the book. There are some bits I would have liked to have kept in, or expanded on, but I think I need to listen to my publisher on this (being my first book and all) and keep the work count lower. I've clearly got some material that could be used as "Bonus material" on the website once the book is released, so maybe have to think about that in the future. Beta Readers I'm still looking for beta readers and have just put a post on GoodReads in their Beta Readers groups to see if anyone is interested. Would be good to have someone other than a friend read it, they would be much more likely to give me honest feedback/criticism. If you're reading this and want to read the 3rd draft, get in touch at my website . Once I've had a little feedback, it's off to the editors for their review and the...