Fam! I'm heading into final edits on Book2! And because revisions are one of my strong suits I thought I'd thread the experience.

#WritingCommunity #2020Debuts #amediting

This is a tough book for me to edit. It's old, had several versions, and pretty much every time I open the doc I'm on a ticking clock until my eyes glaze over. BUT I love this book dearly, my team loves this book, and I hope that readers will love this book. So I need to WORK

First stop: edit letter absorption

I skim as much as I can handle. Then skim harder. Work up to a full read. Lots of thoughts happen. Lots of knee jerk emotional reactions. I pull out my Revsision Handbook which means putting on The Office and stepping away bc I'm embarrassed.

For me that's the key to getting over the edit letter. Realizing that edits embarrass me bc I wasn't perfect. It's an area of growth for me. No one is perfect. No one gets books right the first time. And no one reacts well to embarassment. I'm doing my best.

Next is sending a very nice thank you to my editor. Because she put a lot of time and energy into helping me. She is not trying to embarrass me. She believes in me. She wants to help. And I need her help. So I very much say THANK YOU.

I usually delve right into edits from here. This time I took 2 days to paint my house and play video games with my kid. It was a good choice. Are the words of the edit letter echoing in my brain? Yes. Am I gaining perspective and formulating a plan of attack? Also Yes

Now comes the time to WORK

I start with the line comments.

"Rephrase for clarity"
"Awkward; please revise"

One by one I slay these little bubbles until I am Bubble Master. I also cherish every "Nice!" like an extra slice of birthday cake. Those comments STAY till done

I am now on Day 2 of comment bubbles, about halfway thru the document. The first few edits are always the roughest, and I constantly second guess phrasing. But the more I do, the easier it becomes.

I also need to finish line edits today bc Hello Deadline!

(Due back 5/4)

Huzzah! I did about 90% of the comment bubbles (minus big picture stuff) and am now onto the edit letter.

If your edit letter isn't broken down into numbered action items, I suggest doing so as to give yourself a countdown goal.

Then start with the easiest.

This can feel v v overwhelming. Like omg where do I start and it's all so much I'll never get thru in time!!

But you will. YOU WILL

Remember:
- start with one/easiest
- only work on a few per day
- edits dont have to be done in 1 sitting
- cross them off when done
- be gentle