The structural edit – “Drowning” takes shape

I can’t believe how rigorous the structural editing process is proving to be. And yet – how rewarding! It’s as if I’m blowing up an inflatable. Instead of a mass of stuff, I now can see how it holds together. It has form. Not there yet… Every edit requires another review because just changing on what day an event happens can have impact on how the storyline flows. But I’m getting there…

It has a title too. The heroine can’t cope. Her mother didn’t return one day after a swim. This novel is about drowning.

Leadership Fables for a Modern World

I need a break from editing. So I’ve embarked on a book of leadership fables, based on my experiences as an Executive coach. It doesn’t matter whether the industry is professional services, healthcare, tech, public service, heavy industrial, the themes raised by executives are so very similar. I have a feeling a book of fables may be of value in the world.

“Editing is all part of the process”

It’s been a long haul since my last post! I attended Byron Writers Festival and I asked a question during a panel discussion about “when do you know your novel is done”? One of the speakers absolutely laid into me, telling me in no uncertain terms that I had to stop thinking that writing a novel was all about just writing, and it was time for me to get my hands dirty and engage in some serious editing work!

He made me laugh, actually, because I really didn’t feel that I’d been that lazy. But it was also a useful kick up the backside. My story is picked up by Laurel Cohn who wrote about the encounter further. I am that “Woman in the turquoise jacket” in her piece on p16-17 of the Northerly:

Laurel and I had such a good chat that I ended up engaging her services. She proved an inspiration, reviewing my manuscript and giving me some very valuable pointers. She also invited me along to her Structural Editing course. What a boon! The course was fantastic, but I’ve walked away with a lot of homework.

My second rejection gives pause for thought

Thank you to the literary agent who gave me some specific feedback when (very politely) rejecting my novel. Although they were seemingly easy points to fix, for some reason they’ve helped me unpack and repack the novel. It’s taken me several weeks to think this through and now I have a plan, I feel the novel will be all the richer for it. So, I’m embarking on a third edit and then will recommence the submissions process in earnest.

My first rejection…!

I edited the novel and sent the first few chapters out to an agent. She said no! My first rejection! The official feedback was “I didn’t fall in love with it.” Is that good or bad, I wonder? I fully respect the agent’s need to love a work she’s representing, but should I change anything or just accept that her tastes are simply not compatible with mine?

Feedback

I’ve received feedback from most of my readers. Really positive. Also really insightful about where I need to make changes. Feels good but also a bit overwhelming. I’m going to spend some time with my Mum in England in the run up to Christmas and I’ll see if I can make some edits while I’m there. Always interesting to go back and visit where you grew up…