Wednesday, July 1, 2015

IWSG: Back to the Editing Cave.

If there's a sign above the editing cave, it doesn't read "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."  It probably reads "You have no idea what you're getting into, do you."

And in case you're wondering: no, I don't.  >_<

Today, I start editing The Book of Lost Runes.  In theory, I'll start tonight, as I do most of my creative work after the sun goes down.  In practice, I'm really looking forward to working on this book again, so I'll probably start this afternoon.  Maybe before that.  I'm glad to be starting this, but I'm also kind of nervous.

This is the first time I've edited a book since 2013.  I wrote two books in 2014; the first one I hated once it was done, and the second one I decided wasn't the story I wanted to tell in that world shortly after finishing it.  So it's been a while since I opened up a first draft and started hacking away at it.

No, I'm not nervous because I've forgotten how to edit.  It hasn't been that long.  :P

I'm nervous because I really enjoyed writing this book, and I don't know if that's going to continue once I start working on it again.  After all, I tossed aside two books last year.  Who's to say that won't happen with this one as well?  I don't want it to happen, that's for sure; I spent a long time developing this book and I want something good to come of it, or at least, I want it to have a fair shot.

There's that really sarcastic part of me that's saying "Of course, every book should have a fair shot at getting rejected over and over again, as per usual," but I'm mentally kicking it in the face as I type this and will pay it no further attention.

I'm also nervous because, despite all the time and effort I put into plotting this thing, to say nothing of writing it, I don't know what I'll find once I get started.  Part of why I do so much plotting beforehand is to make sure everything about the story works before I even write it.  I've rewritten massive amounts of a book before, and if I can avoid that with better plotting, I'd like to.  But that first book I wrote last year, I plotted it out well in advance too, and I discovered a massive plot hole in the antagonist's actions as I was writing the last few pages.  So there's precedent for thinking I could have missed something significant along the way.

It's not that I won't do rewrites if I have to.  It's that I'm filled with my usual doubts and then some about this book, especially because I really want it to work.  I want to get it into readable condition so I can finally show it to people, and rewrites will only delay that.  The only reason I'm concerned about time is that two of my beta readers will have significant time constraints after August.  I know that's the kind of thing I shouldn't be thinking about, but these people have volunteered to read my book, and I think I should at least try to be accommodating.

None of this is going to keep me from editing, of course, or keep me from doing what I need to do with the book.  Whatever that needs to be.  I just wanted to get all this out beforehand, so hopefully it won't bother me once I start.  I'm just hoping it goes well.

And now that the dream book's done, I'm really looking forward to editing that one, as I finally figured out how to make the working title work for it.  It's going to take a ton of work to make it what I want it to be, so that will be a ridiculous project.  ...which it's always been, so at least that's nothing new.

Next week: editing progress, unless I find something more interesting to write about between now and then.

20 comments:

  1. See, that's why I plot lightly. Then when there are issues, I don't feel bad about reworking it.

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    1. It's not about feeling bad, it's more about time, as I said above. And I can't write a story worth reading if I don't plot thoroughly beforehand. >_<

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  2. I'm still chuckling over your opening paragraph.
    (Can you tell I'm in the editing phase of my WIP? :P)

    Put your beta readers to work.
    That's what they're for--to catch stuff like plot holes. ;)

    IWSG #123 until Alex culls the list again.

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    1. Maybe so, but I'd rather catch these things before sending it to them. I know what I give them won't be perfect, but I want it to be as good as I can make it.

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  3. I had to smile at the 'Of course, every book should have a fair shot at getting rejected over and over again'. Oh how cynical we become!
    I'm always surprised how much I get pulled into a MS that I once left because I didn't think it was right. No MS is good without going through the editing grinder again and again and again and again. But each time it comes out, it's that much better.

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    1. I can be incredibly optimistic and painfully cynical. Often at the same time. :P

      And yeah, there's a lot to be said for how much editing makes things better. I've asked my friends to tell me I'm wrong if I ever say I don't need to edit.

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  4. I get it.

    But you can't go in worrying. You have to go into your edits with the picture in your head. The clear picture that led you to write that first draft. And when you're reading your work you simply edit as close to the picture as possible. That's what I do at least.

    And I think no matter how much you outline and prepare, you'll still come across a few discoveries as you write. Part of the process. But keep at it. I'm excited to read this :)

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    1. I don't want to go in worrying, which is most of why I wrote this - to get those worries out. I think it worked. Not quite sure yet.

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  5. Let's think positively. You're going to read your story and say, "Wow, I enjoyed this. A bit of spit and polish, and I think it'll be great!" At least that's what I'm hoping for you. :)

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    1. Thank you. ^_^ Part of me is hoping much the same, part of me is cringing like Fear from "Inside Out" and trying to think of anything but editing. :P

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  6. Ugh, EDITING. It's the worst, isn't it? It always makes me feel certifiably crazy.

    Oh wait, Loni has a better approach, LOL! Yes, let's be positive! Right? :/

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    1. I dunno, I enjoy editing when I'm doing it. It's actually getting started that gets to me, kind of like when I'm starting a book. It's like... re-starting a book.

      ...great, now I'm never going to get started...

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  7. I don't know if this will help you, but I have 2 major strategies for dealing with the transition from a first to a second draft. One is a side-by-side outline and the other is a color-coded outline designating plots and subplots. I have a blog post describing these processes -- in case this helps you tackle your next draft at all http://diannesalerni.com/between-the-first-and-second-drafts/

    Good luck!

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    1. I'll take a look at that, thank you. I pretty much have my technique down, and I was going over it in my head earlier today, but it's always good to see how others handle it.

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  8. Remember, that's why you're going to edit it. If you do find it's a mess, you're there to make it better.

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    1. That's the plan, yes. Here's hoping said plan survives first conflict with the Editing Stick. ^_^

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  9. Ah, editing, it's like the comb after three days of not brushing your hair. it hurts, but everything is better when you're done (even if your scalp hurts a bit).

    I've found that my editing has changed a bit after working with different editors. It's been... interesting. If you want, I can shoot you an email with a couple of big things that are general comments I've come across, just shoot me an email (why do I suddenly have an image of a computer suddenly morphing into a gun to fire off an email? I blame you.), and I'll send back the general stuff.

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    1. I will e-mail you about this; thanks. It'll still be a while before this one's ready for anyone but friends to look at it, but it's gone really well so far. Hopefully the editing process won't be an overly long one.

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  10. Time to set up a reward system! One chapter equals a half hour or gaming or Netflix. Ten chapters equals yummy food! :)

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    1. My first editing run is a fast one; I gave the whole book a read with minor corrections over the course of four days. What does that get me? :P

      ...the answer, though, is "more time editing, and slower." That starts tomorrow. >_<

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