Monday, November 13, 2006

Deep in Edit Mode

I'm having a blast editing my novel. I know, I know, it sounds crazy, but this is where I really dig deep into the story and capture what I want to do. Chapter One has been completely cut. Chapter Two is now Chapter One and the backstory eliminated (with Rene's kind help.) I'm pretty darn happy with how it's turning out and I really really wish I could take a few days off work to edit. There's something about delving into your story and becoming so immersed with it that you forget everything else.

I love to edit. I love to play with the language and come up with new, compelling phrases and imagery. I also am excited to try out some of the techniques in Between the Lines: Master the Subtle Elements of Fiction Writing that I bought while in Chicago.

In Other News...

I bought a pair of jeans in yet another smaller size yesterday - woo hooo!!! There's nothing like buying a pair of jeans a size smaller than you normally wear. I can't wait to go to Curves tonight and step on the scale. I haven't been there in over a week, so I'm hopeful I've lost at least another pound or two.

Also picked up a copy of Jeff Shaara's latest novel, The Rising Tide: A Novel of World War II - this is the first in a three-book series. I caved and bought it in hardback since I didn't have the patience to wait for it to come out in paperback.

All in all, a good weekend. And you?

15 comments:

  1. My weekend was good too. Almost done with the novella, cleaned house, had friends over...good times. :)

    I don't mind editing either. It's fun to make the story even better!

    Congrats on the new jeans!!! Whoo hoo!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can't WAIT to get to the point where I can start revising and editing -- that's definitely the fun part for me, too, Melissa.

    Yay! on the smaller jeans. :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm glad you're having fun with your MS, Melissa. I like the editing and revising process too. Your new book looks good. Let us know what you think?

    I spent the weekend going over my GH entry and of course, attending the Remembrance Day ceremony here in our city. It was lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am having lots of fun editing too. Love it :) That book looks GOOD :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I had a good weekend too. Finished a book and lost another pound and a half. My jeans are too big.

    Oh, and I love editing too. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Indeed . . . editing is much more fun than plowing across the blank page. Enjoy!

    Way to go on the next smaller jean size!!! No matter what kind of day you've had, getting into smaller clothes can turn it all around into nirvana.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous6:56 PM

    Fabulous news on the smaller jean size! :) That'll make your day. :) And have a great time editing!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Melissa it's wonderful to hear you're having so much fun editing your novel. Right now, one thing that's making me dread finishing my first draft (and I'm still over 20K away) is the thought of having to rewrite it in many places. *groan*.

    Great news on the jean size!!

    Sue :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I also prefer making already written text better than filling an empty page! Though I do reach a point where I can't look at it again and then I have to take a step back.

    Congrats on the pants size! I was going to join Curves last January, as part of my New Year's Resolutions, but car trouble intervened. Oddly enough, that same car is back in the shop again. I think its time to retire it....

    You go, girl! :-)
    Pauline

    ReplyDelete
  10. Glad to hear you're enjoying the editing!!!
    And whoo hoo on the smaller jeans size. That's fantastic :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Congrats on the new jean size and way to go on the editing! Whoo hoo!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congrats on having fun with editing - that always makes it easier. And yay! on the size smaller. I just did the same thing a few weeks ago and did a little happy dance in the dressing room.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congrats on both the editing and the smaller pants size! I agree, I much prefer editing. That blank page is kind of intimidating.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Glad the editing is going well. The same is happening over here, too.

    I've glanced through Morrell's book, and I attended one of her workshops at the Surrey conference. She's got some great ideas, doesn't she?

    Cate

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous6:07 PM

    Yay on the jeans! I don't mind editing either, and we'll have to talk over the Shaara book once we've both read it ;)

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear from you!

Staying Focused

Friends, sometimes it is exhausting to try and stay focused on goals. Eat healthier. Lose weight. Exercise.  Find a literary agent. Edit the...