Editing Archives - Page 3 of 3

Wanted: Distractions

October 12, 2014 By JPMcLean 17 Comments

Wanted: Distractions. These beautiful squash jumped into my car the other day when I was visiting Piercy’s farm. They were so beautiful, I couldn’t resist. It’s not like I run a home for wayward squash, but I am a sucker for fall colours, and they do perk up the porch.

They’ll eventually end up in my oven, which makes me feel a bit like the cannibalistic witch in Hansel and Gretel, but I’ll live with the guilt. In fact, we’ve already devoured the spaghetti squash and I’ll bake others until the sugars caramelize around the edges into brown bits of crunchy heaven.

Why, you might ask, am I going on about squash? I have a good reason – I need the distraction.

You see, I finished writing the first draft of Book 4 almost three weeks ago and I’m determined to leave it alone for another week: no peeking, no tweaking.

Yikes! A whole month.

I don’t think I’ve ever stayed away from these characters for that long. But the next part of the process is the first edit, and I know I’ll do a better job of it if I can distance myself from it, which is easier said than done. For months, I’ve spent every day with these characters and without them, there’s a gaping hole in my day — a hole I need to fill with distractions.

I’ve already cleaned the house, I’ve groomed the dog, and I’m up to date with the programs I had taped on the PVR. I’ve returned to the gym (sadly out of shape, I’m afraid) and caught up with friends over leisurely lunches and coffee dates.

I tackled the gardens. It’s a good thing it’s been a great fall — warmer and drier than usual. It’s allowed me to take care of the outdoor chores that should have been done months ago. That’s one of the downsides to writing – you have to give up some things to make time to write. Anyway, I’ve rather enjoyed getting dirt under my fingernails again and filling up the composters.

Now the rains have started and I’m back inside…studiously avoiding the characters who lurk dangerously close to this blog. One more week…

Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate this weekend.

If you’re looking for a distraction, give yourself Secret Sky with one simple click here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, check the Bookstore Tab for other options.

Fogged in

October 24, 2013 By JPMcLean 2 Comments

Full moon rise through the fog on Denman Island — Full moon rising through the fog on Denman Island

I’ve been squirreled away again. Fogged in. Granted, it’s easy to hunker down in lousy weather—like this dense fog that’s enveloped our part of the coast for the past ten days—but it’s not good. The burrowing in, that is, especially when I’m so narrowly focused.

Multi-tasking is something I know I can do; I routinely prep carrots for two meals and onions for three; I weed and fertilize while I set aside seedlings for next year’s plant sale; and I’m guilty of putting phone calls on speaker so I can make a bed or iron while catching up.

So, why is it that when the proof for my latest book comes in, my world stops rotating while I attend to it – and pretty much nothing else? Maybe it’s more than the weather that’s fogged in? I barely make time to eat and sleep. It’s a little bit crazy, I have to admit. What is it about me and writing that brings out this single-minded behaviour? No—don’t answer that!

I’d read somewhere that women were excellent multi-taskers. If this conclusion is based on averaging, then I apologize to womankind for lowering the average.

The up-side to the crazy is that book 3 of The Gift Legacy, Redemption (now titled Burning Lies) is back in the hands of the publisher and only weeks away from release. I can’t wait!

And wait until you see the cover. Gifted artist, Viona Halim has, once again, painted a suitably ominous scene for Redemption’s cover. It’s breath-taking…and I’ll reveal it as soon as the fine-tuning on the title lettering is complete. The first people to see it will be my newsletter subscribers, who also receive free short stories. Sign up now if you haven’t already.

So You Think You Can Write?

August 8, 2013 By JPMcLean 4 Comments

Fish Out of Water

Some time ago I wrote a list post about lessons I learned in the process of writing my first book. The value of editors was one of the lessons. Editors see things writers don’t. (I can’t say for sure, but I suspect they have a third eye.) They see where the story drags, where the action is confusing, where the characters aren’t being true to themselves, where the setting falls short, or where description is excessive, and so much more.

The first time I went through this process, it was a shock to my system.

I thought I was prepared: I wasn’t. Instead, I was left wondering, “What the hell was I thinking? I can’t write.” I was a fish out of water. I had to set the manuscript aside and regroup.

After a few days, I picked up the editor’s notes again. This time, I was able to receive the feedback in the spirit it was given. I rewrote the entire manuscript—even started from a point further along in the story.

During that often frustrating and time-consuming process, the narrative improved immeasurably. Characters filled out, choreography improved, description got honed.

Next up? A Copy Editor

After I’d finished, a copy editor went through it examining every verb for proper fit and smoothing out rough spots I didn’t even know were there. The end product was worth every agonizing minute of rewrite. And because my name is on the cover, I’m very happy I invested the extra time and money for professional editors.

If you are considering publishing your work, I highly recommend you find professional editors to work with. You won’t regret it. I started with a Manuscript Evaluation through the Writers’ Union of Canada http://www.writersunion.ca/content/manuscript-evaluations. Another useful resource is the Editors’ Association of Canada https://editors.ca/hire/. Their website will guide your search.

How about you? Have you had a memorable editing experience?

A memorable reading experience is just a click away. Get your copy of Secret Sky from Kindle with one click right here. And if kindle or ebooks aren’t your preference, click on the bookstore tab for other purchase options (or just click on the covers below).

A Special Kind of Angst

June 14, 2013 By JPMcLean 4 Comments

Publishing Angst

There’s a special kind of angst reserved just for writers. You get to experience it only after you push that “publish” button. Doesn’t matter if it’s a blog post or a book, you always wonder if you could have made it ____________. Fill in the blank—funnier, more concise, less formal—the list is endless.

Looking back over pieces I wrote last year feels a little like looking at old photos. It makes me question why I choose those pants or why I thought that haircut was a good idea.

When I have my writer’s hat on, I’m constantly rereading and refining my words. Sometimes I find a better verb, or a better way to structure a sentence to deliver more impact. There’s always some tweaking you can do to improve your blog post or novel or press release. Always.

How do you know when it’s good enough?

You can drive yourself crazy going back over words you’ve read so many times you know them by heart. That’s part of a writer’s dilemma. Eventually, you see letters and words that you expect instead of what’s actually on the page. It’s one of the reasons why writers need editors and proof readers.

Sometimes, incorporating your editor’s comments into your work is part of the circle of craziness. You introduce new errors when making the edits. It’s so easy to miss a word or mix up a plural or a tense. The process of rewriting and editing can turn into a vicious circle. The trick to maintaining sanity is knowing when to stop the madness.

If you accept that you’re not perfect; if you believe that you’ve written to the best of your abilities as they exist right now; if you recognize that point when your edits are not improving your piece, merely making it different, then you’re ready to push that “publish” button.

Go on. Be brave. You’ll be a better writer tomorrow. It’s inevitable. And tomorrow you’ll find that perfect verb you wish you’d found before you published. It’s part of the deal. Don’t let it drive you nuts.

All of the Gift Legacy books are available from your favourite retailer on the Bookstore Tab.

Photo by Matthew T Rader on Unsplash