Last month I submitted the manuscript for THE OCEAN HUGS HARD to my editors at Shadow Spark Publishing. This month I’ll get the proofed copy and begin the arduous editing process. Editing takes time and patience. I tell my students if they want to edit their work, they should…as many times as necessary. Students who don’t edit their writing think once it’s finished, it’s ready to hand in. These same students get angry when their work comes back with low grades because they didn’t take the time or put in the effort with editing.
There are several months in the editing cycle, with both the editor and me making comments, having meetings, and rewriting large portions of text. Sentences, paragraphs, or chapters can fall at the stroke of the red pen, and you’d better be prepared to kill your darlings.
Whether you’re working on a book with a publisher or self-publishing, I advise you to spend the money on a good developmental editor. Developmental editors don’t come cheap, but they can spot weaknesses in your writing, your plot, and your characters.
They can help you polish your writing and make it shine.
This is a Good Thing.
For THE OCEAN HUGS HARD, I’m working with the same developmental editor I used for ACCURSED SON and MR. PENNY-FARTHING. It’s important to strike up a partnership with people you’re comfortable with, especially if you’re sending your book babies out into the cruel world.
I Was Interviewed!
The book blog My Reading Addiction interviewed me about writing, my latest novel MR. PENNY-FARTHING, and who I would cast in a hypothetical ACCURSED SON movie. You can read the interview (and my casting choices) here.
Short Stories a Comin’
During these cold winter months, I’ve been working on a few short stories I’d like to submit. One is a fantasy, one is horror, and the third is a deeply personal story about family. They might be published, they might not. That’s the thing about this business; it’s all subjective. I’ve had stories published years after they were first written. It takes patience, time, and stamina to get anything published. Believe in your stories and keep writing what pleases you.
Until next time, embrace the weird!
Eric Avedissian 