First Crack at Editing

If you haven't noticed, I've been off the grid for a few days. 

One reason, as you can see in my posts below, is that I have been in a place I like to call “Wedding World.”  There is still a ton to do and only about 11 more weeks to get everything buttoned down.  WOW…I literally just counted out the weeks, and my jaw practically fell off.  11 WEEKS??!!  AAAAAAAH!

The second reason is content edits.  Okay people…the editing process has officially started.  When I signed with ZOVA, I knew the first step would be a content edit, but I had no idea how challenging it would be.  I can't imagine many debut authors are excited to tear into their completed manuscript, changing major details of their novel, but it must be done.  Let me just say that when it is your first novel (or maybe even when it's your 30th) you grow attached.  After meeting with ZOVA on Saturday, I came home with a list of exciting ideas on how to make the book better, but when I sat down to edit, I froze.  That was followed by tears and blubbering to my fiancé about how I just can't cut this or that.  I swear I was an emotional roller coaster.  Ten minutes later I would read over the notes again and get charged about all the possibilities, delete half a chapter, type a new scene, then give up completely. ~UGH~

Good news is, I think I've figured it out.  I hammered out the details on the first two chapters and I love them.  Everything else should start to fall into place now that I have some big decisions made.

I really can’t believe how being attached to my writing blinded me from so many of the weaknesses in my book.  Once I got over myself, and embraced new ideas, and the suggestions from ZOVA, amazing things happened. 

I’m really hoping they like what I produce once I finish weaving my changes through the whole manuscript.  Thanks ZOVA for your attention, support, and most of all, your honesty.