Pages

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Manuscript: It's Time to Let Go

After seven rewrites and revisions, and a few last-minute tweaks and deletes, my manuscript was sent to my Wings ePress editor yesterday. 

When I informed her on the previous day that I'd be forwarding the 67k words to her. She replied that she was looking forward to a good read. I hope she's not disappointed. 

The first draft was 37k words, so it's grown another 30k in the past four months or so. I thought I would be able to finish it in three or four rewrites, but that was not to be. Every time I went through the manuscript, I added another layer to the story, be it a subplot, new character, or plot expansion.


I suppose it's no longer my work in progress since it's in the hands of the editor. It's become part of an effort to make it worthy of publication by Wings ePress team, from editing, proofreading, cover art, and promotion.
Ina Garten

I recently read an interview with "Barefoot Contessa" chef Ina Garten,  and she quoted noted journalist Bob Woodward as saying, "It's not that I ever finish a book, I just stop working on it."

I couldn't find the quote after a web search, but I understand the reasoning behind it. There comes a time when you have to say to yourself, "Enough is enough," and hand the manuscript over to your publisher. 

One of the great things about writing a series—this book is the third in the John Ross Boomer Lit Series—is that I can pick up where I left off. I've already written the first draft to the fourth book, and know what I plan to do in the fifth. 

I've got a title for the new novel but won't disclose that until the contract is signed and I'm working on her edits.

And if all goes to plan, the novel will be published in the first half of 2019. And perhaps the fourth book in the second half of the year. No pun intended, but time will tell if those goals come to fruition. 



At least the manuscript is out of my hands for a few weeks. It's time to take a break.






1 comment:

Rhobin said...

Hi Michael. I can relate to multiple reread, rewrites, and revisions. My highest was twelve. And yes that break before the editors take over is welcome.

Rhobin