EDITING TIMERIDERS2
So, today’s the day I begin the two week process of going through the 1st draft manuscript and tidying everything up. Now, many writers I’ve spoken to seem to find this bit the tedious bit, they much prefer the freedom and excitement of tapping out that first draft, and the later tidying-up to be the real chore.
Me? I love doing 2nd draft work. I really do. I love taking a page of rough writing and polishing it, honing it, stripping away the dull bits and knowing what’s left on the page is just the good stuff. A similar thing to painting really….I’m one of these painters that wants the canvas filled very quickly, everything in the composition blocked out roughly and approximately then, going in with a finer brush and putting those lovely little details and flourishes in.
So, I’m now at the little-brush stage. A chance to put those nuances in, those whispered little clues in the background that you’ll think nothing of at first, but realise later were hugely important and were staring you in the face all along!
More than anything, though, it’s at this stage that I learn a little more about my main characters. This is the draft in which they speak to me; reveal their quirks, their insecurities, their worries.
So, here we go then. Coffee’s steaming on my desk. I have my wife’s notes, my editor’s notes….my own mental notes.
Let the work begin….
nb: Just after I published today’s blog, I noticed you can read some of the type on the screen! I’ve just been reading through it…and I think I’ve managed not to reveal any big spoilers there!
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