At this Stage in Writing a Story: The Editorial Process

I’m coming closer to the end of all I can do ‘at this time’ to create a story I hope readers will enjoy. I’m on my second set of edits, and I’m a third of the way through. But. The edits are far from completed.

Once I’m finished, I will pass this manuscript on to the first editor. She will amaze and surprise me for what she finds. And I’ll be grateful for her keen eyes.

After I receive these editorial suggestions, I’ll accept most of her suggestions. A few I may discard as some decisions are subjective, and I may want to keep what I wrote for the effect I’m seeking.

Once this stage of editing is done, I’ve made even more edits of my own. This is because the manuscript is cleaner. I see more that can be done after such a thorough edit, and I can dive deeper into a story which tugs at the heartstrings of reader.

Afterward, the manuscript goes to the next editor.

I’ll be grateful for her keen eyes. She too will surprise and amaze me for what she finds.

Let me clarify something, each editor has their own set of editorial eyes. They each bring their unique experiences of life into their edits. Each editor knows for the most part what works and what doesn’t work. Once the first professional edit is complete, it exposes other mistakes deeply hidden in the story. That’s the reason why a story needs a minimum of two different editors editing a story.

Think of writing and editing like peeling an onion. Layer after layer after layer is exposed to get to the core and the most needed parts to tell a fantastic story.

In another words, I have so many mistakes in my writing that it does take at least two edits. Sometimes, it takes three edits and even more. And this is other than my own edits.

Because I’m on page 75 out of 280 pages of “Sincerely Claire”, I’m hoping I can get this manuscript to the first editor by the first weekend in August.

Back to the best and most enjoyable work I’ve ever done: creating a meaningful story.