Editing – How much is too much?

Would someone please tell me? I’m doing re-writes at the moment and they are driving me mad mainly because I don’t know when to stop. Obviously, it’s that elusive point called, “perfect.” But where is that magical place?

My greatest fear is that when it arrives, I won’t recognise it. What if I bypass “perfect” and just keep going because I’m on this editing roll and I can’t stop. Instead, of my work improving it starts to go down hill. My voice disappears, my story sounds drab and my characters lose their colour. Only I won’t notice, because I’m too busy sifting for more mistakes.

I think this is why upon completion, writers are supposed to put their manuscripts away for a year before they start to fiddle with them. Give themselves a bit of distance - some perspective.
If you’re like me and can’t afford to wait, then I think your next best recourse is to rely on someone else to have perspective. Get a critique group, find a friend. Show someone you trust, your writing and ask them to be a judge. Sometimes, you’re just too close to critique yourself. In my case, thanks goodness for WINK!

Having said that, I am going to try and take a short break this week- a little breather from my editing fiasco.

My first Avalon novel, “Kiss and Tell” is coming out in October and on top of everything else I have a book launch to plan. Want to come? Watch this space for details soon.

In the mean time, do you have better advice for an editing junkie?

Loretta

Craft - can't write without it

I am a low output writer. This is partly because I have a demanding job that leaves me mentally fatigued at the end of the day and has required a lot of travel. It is partly because I have sole responsibility for maintaining my home. It is partly because I love holidays, time with friends, movies, books, cooking, eating, wine ....

I am a low output writer. And it's partly because I'm still working on my craft.

Even now, when I'm determined to deliver on the requested three chapters and synopsis, I am doing an on-line course to improve my writing.

I guess deep down I am a low output writer because I don't always believe what I am writing is good enough to be published.

It's not all bad. I think I'm a better writer than I was a year ago. Definitely better than two years ago and nearly good enough to finish three chapters and a synopsis. And my short story, Tempest, has just been published.

Lesley Ann Smith

First Kiss

Do you remember it? The first kiss you ever had? Did you like it? Or did you think, "What's all the fuss."

I remember my first kiss but it doesn't send shivers down my spine. The first kiss I remember that sends shivers down my spine is the first kiss I shared with my wonderful husband - even now my fingers tingle with remembrance.

There is nothing more unique than your first kiss with your significant other. You spend the hours before the date wondering. Then through the date you're still wondering. Then on the drive home the anticipation builds with every passing street light. You wonder will he kiss me or should I kiss him? Will he kiss me in the car or kiss me at my door? Then the engine turns off and silence fills the car, the tension is building with every passing second. You reach for the door handle but a soft hand on your arm stops you. You turn towards him and, slowly, oh so slowly you both lean in and then your lips meet and your heart melts.

Ahh there's nothing like it and if you're like me - married there will probably never be another first kiss.

So how can you live the moment again?

Well as writers we are in a unique position of living that first kiss over and over each time our new characters lock lips. We can build up the same anticipation we felt that very first kiss. We can torture our characters with near misses and make the moment when they finally lock lips so special that our readers sigh with satisfaction and maybe make their fingers tingle!

And in your personal life, well each time you kiss your significant other, make it a ' first kiss'. It may just be the first kiss of the day, but it's still special.

Nicki