Thursday 21 February 2013

Edits and Revisions


I love when a book gets to the editing stage, as it means I've actually finished and submitteded the whole novel! As a panster, I'm never quite sure how a story will end until I get there, and I'm still trying to decide if I should plan a little more. Like many other writers, the characters are the most important element of a novel for me and I prefer to set them up then let them play. But my plot sometimes get a little lost on the way, and occasionally I have to rework an ending.

This week, I was delighted to receive the first edits for my new tween book, The Jigsaw Puzzle, which will be coming soon from MuseItUp Publishing. Fortunately, my editor really likes the story and there are no issues with the plot, nor too many corrections as far as I can see from my quick glance. I'm really looking forward to going through it all in the next day or two, with the benefit of her professional experience and advice.

I also submitted another children's story, shorter and for younger children, to an online publisher who bought one of my previous children's stories. Although they really like the story overall, this one needs a slightly stronger ending. I was very pleased to get the opportunity to revise the ending and submit again - which I did right away this morning! I'll let you know if it's successful.

I'm also redrafting and revising an adult historical that had some very good feedback from the first publisher I tried, but some elements of the plot let it down. Now that I'm going through it all again, I completely agree and I've already ditched almost 5,000 words of it (I'm about 3/4 of way through revisions). I've learned two lesons from this: I submitted in far too much of a hurry, and some novels need a little more plotting than others. This novel will hopefully be all the stronger for its revisions and will soon be ready to wing its way to another publisher.

Fortunately, I love all the stages of writing and submitting, and don't even mind occasional rejections, as long as I'm still getting acceptances. It's even better when I learn valuable lessons that hopefully strenthen the writing along the way!

In case anyone is interested in writing for children, I'll be starting a new series over on my children's blog, Flights of Imagination, from Monday. Each week, I'm going to feature a children's, tween, or YA author and book. If you write for these age groups and would like your book featured, please let me know.

Rosemary

11 comments:

Wendy's Writing said...

I can't believe how busy you've been, Rosemary. Good luck with the re-write of the end of your children's story - that certainly sounds promising, doesn't it.

Rena George said...

I so agree, Rosemary. It doesn't matter how long we have been writing, or how well we do it, there's always more to learn, and our work is all the better for it.
Congratulations on reaching the edit stage for The Jigsaw Puzzle, and good luck with that adult historical.
I've never attempted a children's book (apart from the private ones I write for my grandchildren) I've always imagined it to be one of the most difficult genres, so I'm looking forward to your new series.

Joanna said...

Well done, Rosemary, for all the writing and editing you have achieved recently. I'm really glad it's going so well. I love the editing stage too and have been spending this week doing exactly that. Re-writing is lovely too and I wish you luck with the one you sent off today, which sounds full of promise. I'm sure it will be successful.
I so agree that there is always more to learn and I think all editing an rewriting work is filled with incredible eye-openers. Making the changes can be very rewarding and satisfying.
Do let us know you get on with all of these. Wishing you great success with them all. x

Patsy said...

Good luck with those edits!

The Pen and Ink Blogspot said...

I love the revision process too. And when you are lucky enough to have professional comments, it's the best. Right now I'm still revising my adult novel. Then plan to get back to my midgrade novel.
Waiting to hear from my editor on my picture book. My first experience was with online books. I am amazed at how long major publishers can take to get comments to you. One year and counting....

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thaks, Wendy - I think I work best when busy!

Thanks for your comment and good wishes, Rena - gald you also enjoy the editing!

Many thanks, as always, Joanna - I thought you enjoyed all the editing and revision!

Thank you, Patsy!

Thanks for the comment, Pen and Ink. All the best with your own variety of projects!

Joan Fleming said...

Rosemary, I don't know how you manage to fit it all in! I also like the editing stage - especially when I've had advice from someone else.

Mary Smith said...

As always, Rosemary, your industriousness takes my breath away! Do you have more hours in a day than the rest of us?

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks for the comment, Joan - definitely when it comes via someone else!

Thanks for your comment, Mary. I suspect that comment about 'submitting in too much of a hurry' maybe sums me up sometimes!

Vikki said...

Good luck with the edits. I find the editing not as much fun as getting lost in the creative process when a story is unfolding!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

I knew you loved that bit, Vikki, while I'm always in such a hurry to get it all finished with!