I’m happy to say that I have finished my red-pen revisions for novel WIP#4 this week. They aren’t typed up yet, but it’s a relief to have finished those – and just in time for a well-earned family mini-break this weekend to celebrate my birthday.
I think I’m a bit cruel to myself. Check out the number of sticky-tabs marking the pages with red pen. I’m being glib, of course. As a writer, how can I expect to improve my craft if I don’t give it the red-pen treatment?
I have come a long way with my approach to editing a manuscript. About a decade ago, I hated editing with a passion. Back then, I enjoyed writing a novel, but not revising it. Once a final draft was complete I wanted it done – finished – published. Out into the world and onto the next project.
Producing a quality book simply doesn’t work that way. Wouldn’t it be worse to find typos, or worse – plot holes – in a book after publication? It sends a shiver down my spine to even think about it. Luckily I now have myself an editorial team ready for my current manuscript, to give it the once over after I have typed up the red pen amendments – next week, of course!
Leilanie Stewart 