🌙 “Almost Back from the Editing Abyss: Lessons, Laughs, and Late-Night Rewrites.”

Hello and Happy Sunday! I’m Back! Well – Kind of.🙃

If you follow me, you may have wondered what happened to me since I technically missed three blog postings.

I realize I should probably start with an apology for going radio silent these past week. Between editing, rewrites, and life’s curveballs, time completely got away from me.

Well, let’s just say that someone (me) greatly underestimated the editing process. Holy cow, did I ever!

My fabulous editor sent back my novel with her editorial notes. Some edits were easy and quick to complete, while others required rewrites. I rewrote Chapter 6, added an Epilogue, and found a few holes that had to be fixed. I even discovered where I had left out a huge part of the story—so… that had to be written.

When I wasn’t editing, I also had to visit a few of those lovely people known as doctors. I had some good news and some we’ll see kind of news. But editing has been my main priority.

It’s been a bit stressful, primarily because there were a few times when I rewrote a paragraph only to have my computer shut down. Why? Your guess is as good as mine. I have noticed that since I added a VPN, there have been a few issues.

But I digress… when the computer came back up, guess what was missing? Not all of what I’d written, but some of it—just enough that I had to rewrite parts multiple times. Which wouldn’t be so bad except that when I write something down (not always, but sometimes), it’s out of my head and supposed to be on paper—or screen. But this time, it was out of my head and gone.

That was the truly stressful part of the process. There were also times when the area my editor had highlighted to be worked on – the system simply wouldn’t let me update it. That became a process all its own.

Was this stressful? Hell yes!

Was it worth it? Double hell yes!!

These characters deserve to have their story told—and told properly. I’m falling in love with them all over again. So much so that they may just get another book. Not immediately, because other characters are now screaming to have their stories told. But Ashley, Wahaya/Stephenson, Aunt Ulla, Bidziil, Tsali, Shana, and Mark may just have another adventure together. The lodge could see a few new visitors, and we still have to protect Black Mountain from mining. Another book with this crew might come about toward the end of next year. Maybe🤔

Next up is Dating Die-Sasters. Although, I’m going to try (key word: try) to get My Scottish Brownie done at the same time. I may have to lock myself in a room and do nothing but write for four or five hours at a time to make that happen.

I have to admit though—I am loving it. Finally doing something I’ve always wanted to do, and finding out that I’m pretty good at it. Everyone (beta readers and editor) who has read Dangerous Desires has given wonderful feedback, and a few have even fallen in love with the characters—which is exactly what I hoped for. I want my readers to become invested in the outcome, to want to know if there will be another book. I want my readers to know that I care about them and about my characters.

When I’m reading a book, if I like the characters, I always want to know what happens to them after the story ends. That’s one of the reasons I became a writer. If there isn’t another book continuing their story, I write my own ending in my mind. Now, I write my own books. I know the endings—and if I don’t like what I’ve written when I’m done, I can rewrite it. Which, let’s be honest, I’ve done a lot of over the past two weeks.

Tonight, I’ll begin the second round of editing. This should be easier and go much quicker. I’ll do my best not to disappear again, regardless of what’s going on.

Time has been weird lately—it’s like I sit down on the couch to work, and the next thing I know it’s three in the morning. Needless to say, my sleep schedule is even more screwed up than before.

I’ve also learned (or remembered) a few lessons during this process:

1. Editing is not a rush job.

2. Take breaks—for your own sanity.

3. Saying no to others so you can work is a necessity.

4. Your time is important—manage it wisely.

5.Read carefully and write even more carefully.

6. Find some music that helps you get into the groove of what you’re doing.

7. If you can find a muse—fabulous! But it’s not a must-have.

8. Have a few friends or even strangers to bounce ideas off of. You’d be surprised what you can come up with while talking to others.

9. Imposter Syndrome can rear its nasty little head when you least expect it.

10. Don’t give up! This is a big one. You’ll never know what you can do if you don’t give it a shot—and who knows, you might just surprise yourself.

11. Another important lesson—Breathe!

You’d think I would know these lessons by now—and honestly, I do—but I wasn’t putting them into practice, so I was “re-schooled,” I guess you could say.

It’s all good though—Dangerous Desires will be out on Amazon by October 18th! I’ll have quite a few copies with me at the Southern Literary Festival (The Spine Bookshop Booth) on Sunday, October 19th (3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.), and also at the Smyrna Library on Saturday, October 25th (9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.). If you’re in the Nashville or Smyrna area on one of those dates, please stop by, say hello, and let me introduce you to my newest family members from Dangerous Desires.

🦋 Next post, I’ll catch you up on the other stuff going on in my life—the good, the bad, and the what the? Not to mention the goals group I’m in—we just started a new quarter, and I’ll give you an update on the goals I’ve taken on this round.

Till then, I hope you have an amazing week—one filled with hugs, love, laughter, and blessings (big and small).

Later, my friends!🌻