Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Edits, edits, and more edits...

I recently had an aspiring author/reader email me to ask how often they should do edits before they call it a day. Sugar, you may have asked the wrong person, because a day without edits is like a day without coffee. Not happening. lol. If I'm not editing my next book, I'm editing my grocery list, or my Facebook page. I am always in some degree of edit mode.

When I'm in the throes of my latest project, I usually start mental editing after the first sentence is written. I have to continually smack my hand to keep typing instead of backspacing, or I'd never finish anything. All this editing doesn't mean my work is error-free, and that's the saddest part of being a writer. No matter how often you proof, your bff critique partner proofs, your beta readers proof, your editor proofs, you will still find something you should have changed after the damn thing goes to print...err...digital ebook. It's like a messed up quantum universal law—probably developed by someone named Murphy.

So whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner trying to get published, never fear, we all go through the same hell of editing. A good friend (who actually likes editing) suggested I try to keep focused and creatively visualize the end product—a finished book, and the book's release party. It's good advice and has helped me to see the road ahead and that there is light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

Eeps, excuse me, looks like I better get back to my wip. My characters are getting antsy for their next scene to get edited. :-p

Until next time...

~ Cass

3 comments:

Cora Zane said...

Edits...sigh. I hate them with a passion. Bring on the end game visualization. :P

Love the red pen graphic, btw. That's my favorite kind of pen. Not red, necessarily, but the ultra fine point liquid ink pens.

Mary Kirkland said...

But when you are all done editing and can say your work is finished...isn't a great feeling. :)

Cassandra said...

Thanks, ya'll. Yes, it is a great feeling, Mary, and I am visualizing like crazy. lol.

Ooh, yes, I love those type of pens, Cora. The red ones are great for proofreaders marks. Next time I see them on sale at Office Depot, I'll grab some for you to try in red. :-)