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Ana muses on her editing progress.
I'm going through Stormy Hawkins for the fourth, and, I'm told, final time. And, I'm still finding things to change.
I've fixed all the formatting things: Oxford commas, two hypens instead of an em-dash. I learned that 'blonde' is used only to refer to a blond-haired woman.
This morning, I re-read my first sex scene to be sure that what I changed last night still makes sense. (The sentence where they roll over so she's on top got edited out somehow in the first three rounds of edits.)
Now I'm checking a later love scene that ends with misunderstanding. I realized, in last night's read-through, that I could bolster the scene's twist by adding in a reference to a pivotal scene at the story's midpoint, a recollection of dialogue between the heroine and a minor character that propelled the heroine into chasing after the hero she's just rejected.
This addition never occurred to me before, but I feel 99% certain I need to add it. This means I will have to do another read-through, but that's the way it goes. The SoulMate editor says what I send back is IT.
So I have a question for you more experienced authors: Does the debate to tweak things ever end?
In a word, no! I could go on tweaking for ever and it's a real struggle to say, "Right, that's it!" And as soon as it's published, you think of something else you should have added or changed! During the process of having all my novels re-published, I can't resist the opportunity to tweak yet again!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I will take advantage of the opportunity, should it arise. I thought the manuscript was great when I submitted it, and I've made so many changes during this latest round of editing. Some changes were sparked by the editor's command: more Deep POV!
DeleteHaving just had Resolutions published I find myself groaning at the things I now see that I'd wished I'd tweaked or changed...so no, it never finishes, not even after publication - this is such a learning curve!
ReplyDeleteBoy, it sure is a constant learning curve.
ReplyDeleteI also think my reading "ear" is evolving.
Ok, I won't fret when my time to edit runs out. I'll hit SEND with bravado.
Thanks, Carol!
Nope. Even after that final send, something usually pops into my head that I think...dang, I wish I would have changed that or added that.
ReplyDeleteEven after all the re-reads and edits and checks, once my first book was published and I read it, I found a major time-line error.
I have learned A LOT from all of the editors I have worked with, so I always 'think' each story is better and better...but I always find things to change and fix.
Yep. It's a constant learning curve, that's for sure.
Good to know, Debra. Thank you.
DeleteI won't expect perfection, or be angry with myself when I find things in the published edition that I wish I could change.
Sorry for chiming in late (out of town and terrible wifi). Nope, the desire never, ever ends. :)
ReplyDeleteOK. There's no secret way to know when to walk on.
ReplyDeleteI will do a final read-through and hit SEND.
Thanks, Jen!