In my earlier posts on 8 December and 27 January, I mentioned that my novel (WIP 3) is under consideration by a US publisher. After my work is done each day, I’ve been taking a couple of hours in the late afternoon and early evening to read through my final draft, which I printed on Lulu last year, in preparation to make suggested edits that the publisher recommended.
Having a fresh set of eyes to look over my work is a good thing. I was so absorbed in the final draft and then the process of sending it out to publishers that I overlooked some issues with the characterisation and point of view that, thankfully, are minor and fixable. The point of view issues were intentional to show an unreliable narrator, but the publisher felt they could be too confusing for readers. I’m willing to straighten these out since it doesn’t take anything away from the story in the process. In addition to that, the opening chapter needs tweaking a little and a scene towards the end of the novel needs cut; on the reread, it wasn’t a good scene and doesn’t fit the protagonist’s character arc.
What could possibly be a distraction from my work? The Chalk Man! This book has been on my reading list for a while and arrived today in the post. To edit, or to read? Ah, the dilemma! One way or another, lots of tea is in order!
Leilanie Stewart 