Editing mayhem

Out there, exists writers who adore the editing process. Love it! They can't wait to get that messy first draft out so they can dive into editing.

That's not me... yet.

I love writing a first draft.

For me, editing is like attempting to knit a jumper when I only have half an idea of how to do it. I can see clearly how it's meant to turn out but struggle when I have to go back and fix up the holes, mis-stitches, wrong threads and clashing colours.

Mentally exhausting!

I’m hoping that as my first drafts improve (and believe me, this manuscript’s first draft was a vast improvement to previous ones) the editing process will get easier.

I’ve taken a little time off writing (if you don’t count a short story I’m reworking) to research a few areas I want to improve on, before diving into the next round of edits.

'How to Read and Use Body Language' by Anna Jaskolka

I love my Emotional Thesaurus but this month I borrowed this book from the library on body language. It goes into more depth about our body parts and their reactions in different situations. So interesting and so useful!

'The 90-day novel; by Alan Watt

A day-by-day guide for outlining and writing the first draft of your novel and I’m looking forward to doing that for my next manuscript. However, it’s the 277 stream-of-consciousness writing exercises at the back of the book that I’ve been immersed in. I took my ‘hero’ and wrote from their perspective, discovering so much more about their emotions, motivations and feelings.

'Writing and Editing Checklists' by K.M.Allan

I love a list. Nothing better than ticking off items and feeling that buzz of achievement. It’s like this book was made for me and now I have something (this book) to hold my hand and take me step-by-step through the editing process.