My first week of editing the rough draft of the manuscript is over. Now I have a better grasp of what this stage is going to involve. My indecision during the rough draft while crafting the first few chapters is now costing me. I was forced to cut out around 12,000 words. In essence I will have to rewrite the first four chapters from scratch. My original estimate of 6-8 weeks for this editing phase wasn’t based on reality. After this week I estimate a time line of 8-12 weeks for this draft, meaning that I will have to finish editing/rewriting three chapters a week, which I see as doable once my inner perfectionist shuts up and hangs on for the ride. It still doesn’t have to be perfect at this point, just a darn good, solid storyline, ready for the first round of test reading.
There was no action in short story land, none at all. I’m hoping to hear back on my story submission to Soft Whispers this coming week, the top story gets an author interview on the site. Publicity is good, and this would be very good.
Here’s a run down on this week’s posts:
This next week will be more work on the manuscript, focusing on the rewrite of the first few chapters. If I get that finished before the end of the week I might play around with a new flash fiction to submit. I need to try a new market to add variety to my portfolio.
As always,
Happy Writing!
My Literary Quest 
I’ve always found the edit/rewrit to be the hardest part. Good luck with this.
I really don’t like the editing part and wow- you cut 12000 words!? I’m so jealous now 🙂 I can never cut, I always end up adding more and more words! Sounds like you’re doing a great job, can’t wait to hear more about your progress 🙂 Good luck!
It wouldn’t have been so many if I could have pinned down the details of the opening chapters BEFORE starting the rough draft. Most of the words were from alternate opening chapters that I couldn’t use. I have them all safe in a file to perhaps use in a future project. Goes to show that good planning is a great time saver. I didn’t realize the chapters wouldn’t work until later in the writing.
Since I write about cooking AND writing on my blog, here is my “culinary” take on this:
When I find a new recipe, I make it exactly as it calls for, whether or not I think there should be more garlic or less salt. After the first go-around, I ask my wife what she thinks and then between us, I modify accordingly based on how we like things.
Finishing the first draft is very much like completing the recipe as described. There either will be a certain flavor to it or it will be missing something. You’ll find the essence that you’re looking for.
I am wondering, though, why you place time constraints on the process. It seems on the surface to be arbitrary and perhaps counter productive to achieving the ideal effect of completion. Perhaps this is your methodology. I hope you will enlighten your readers as to your thought process.
That’s a great analogy, thanks for sharing. Every writer has to find a process that works for them and their situation. I’ll do a post about my methodology this week, just for you. Look for it Tues morning.