In my last post I wrote about how I finished a rough draft – my first manuscript (MS). Now the real work begins. Remember I mentioned that I pawned my MS off on a couple of writer friends and received positive feedback? One of those friends Ms. Patty graciously offered to guide me down the primrose path aka revision. Round one is in full swing. Oh, my.
I’ve put in several hours already and the MS is still not ready to return to Ms. P for round two. So far I learned global searches are a must. How many times did I use the word “looked” in my MS? Take a guess … c’mon … okay, I’ll tell you — 151 times. (Not kidding.) And the word “well” … 142 times. I’m spending an inordinate amount of time weeding out these pesky words and wondering what was I thinking when I wrote them – over and over and over. Instead of berating myself, however, I decided to revisit an article by Lori L. Lake – the editing guru – that addresses my little overuse of word issue. A very helpful tool for blundering wordsmiths, like me.
Another friend (thanks, Chris!) recommended a great book on self-editing that’s turned out to be ever so informative. With friends like this who needs an editor? Oh, wait, a couple of them are editors! Lucky for me.
Friends. Writing group. Encouragement. Family. Discipline. Love of writing. Guidance. Reference tools. Computer. iPad. Oh, and caffeine. All points on the map directing my journey. Stay tuned for updates along the way. Bumps. Ruts. Detours. The good. The bad. The ugly. Everything included. Perhaps sharing my journey will help someone else on theirs.
The road is long and winding … and bumpy … and slick … and marked by U turns … and sharp turns … and sometimes blocked, but most of the time wide open and beckoning. The name of this road? Writing a book.
What waits at the end of the road? I hope, a story that readers will enjoy as much as I enjoyed the writing. Publication wouldn’t be bad, either. 
