After Each Draft, A Writer’s Voice Speaks Meanly
I edit all of my books 12 times total.
I edit each book AT LEAST eight times before I even dare to send it to my editor and agent.
By the time I’m done I’m mostly out of my own mind, muttering to myself, wandering around aimlessly, the house a wreck.
I thought you might be interested in the things I say to myself after my first draft and succeeding edits.
It’s not pretty.
Like I said, it’s not pretty.
You could not write a bad book if you tried – each one gets better and better and I wait, in desperate anticipation, for each new book. Then I shut myself away from the world and read it in one go, crying and laughing hysterically, always touched down to the bottom of my soul by the beautiful people you create. I love that while bad things happen to your characters, love is always what shines through, love and second chances. I gave several of my friends your last book and they both said that they felt like they were reading about a different version of me. Best compliment I’ve ever had in my entire life. I have all of your books and I don’t lend them out to anyone, they reside in my bedroom, on a special shelf and I have re-read them time and time again. I love the people you create. Stevie and Charlotte are my most favorite. Thank you so much for your wonderful creativeness!
1Jo,
2Thank you so much for your letter! I am in the midst of correcting proofs, which are the last pages before the book is printed, and I needed the encouragement. I always TRY to write a better book than I did before. I try I try I try!! I am glad they make you laugh and cry. I laugh and cry, too. And I’m also glad you see the love shining through. Not all of my characters live through the whole book, the vast majority do, but I always promise to end the book on hope and love.
Exactly. But I’m not sure I stop at eight.
And the voice rarely hushes even then.
Blessings,
3Normandie