Don't you love it when pieces fall into place? (Editing chat)

All Things Writing
, ,
1

I’ve been editing The Merlin Paradox lately, a science-fantasy and a bxb romance I initially wrote in 2019 (though, as I’ve learned recently, the books I write might fit better under the cozy fantasy genre). As I was an inexperienced writer back then, there have been a lot of well needed revisions. In fact, I rewrote the entire book, and now it’s a trilogy, and over the years, it gave birth to an entire universe and other books in the series. :sweat_smile:

I’ve taken multiple breaks from the trilogy to work on other books, even published one. There have been times when I worried that I would never fix it. I can’t believe that 5+ years passed already and I’m nowhere close to publishing it. I’m glad I didn’t know back then how long it would have taken or maybe I never would have tried. But we can’t improve if we don’t put in the work, even flawed, right?

Few weeks ago, I got back to editing the rewritten draft and I got toward the end of the book, where I knew already a lot of fixes were needed. I used my favorite plotting method, writing a synopsis, to summarize the full story and look for weak spots and opportunities.

When I started editing, I didn’t have huge hopes that I’d get far. If I made it to the middle, I would have been happy. A little progress is better than none, right?

But today, I figured out how to fix the last few details. It’s all falling into place. It feels like a book, peeps. I’m so close to having a good draft! I could start beta reading or maybe getting a critique partner. :scream: It’s happening!

I’m jumping the gun celebrating, of course, as the fixes I came up with require a couple of new scenes/chapters which aren’t written yet, but just having a solid plan how to make this story good feels like a win already.

How about you? How’s your editing going? Have your pieces fallen into place yet?

5 Likes
2

I’m writing and editing book 2 of Project Succession…
:sweat_smile:

1 Like
3

How far in are you?

1 Like
4

It’s a weird setup but let’s just say it is a long prolouge that might as well be chapters 1 to 5.

:sweat_smile: LOL!

1 Like
5

So happy for you! I’m at the point right before this, where I’m waiting for the pieces to fall into place like that only they haven’t yet. But eventually they will, and that’s such a great feeling when it finally happens. (੭ˊᵕˋ)੭‧˚₊･*̥✧

3 Likes
6

I wish you all the pieces.

Every time before they fall into place, I feel like they never will.
So maybe you’re about to get your pieces.

3 Likes
7

That dopamine hit is what makes writing worth it :rofl: When everything just magically makes sense.

I’m currently between projects, as it were, but 2 years ago I wrote out an ONC novella that had been germinating in my brain for 10 years (no kidding, I have pages of notes since 2014) and last year, I expanded it into a full-fledged novel, and it was just :pinched_fingers: :pinched_fingers: I think I might have to go back for some edits eventually, as I’m currently coming up will all sorts of sequel ideas, which brings me back to “oh I should probably add this bit in during my next revision” :joy:

But yeah, I so love it when all of those notes and character and research just come together like pieces of a puzzle :heart:

2 Likes
8

See? The story had time to brew and mature.

I think it was Stephen King who said that if you’re thinking about a story for months and still want to write it, then it’s a worthy story. If you forget it or don’t feel like writing it anymore, then maybe it was never going to be a good story after all.

3 Likes
9

Sounds about right :rofl:

Sometimes I wish I could write faster, but there definitely comes a time and place which is more suitable for that idea to thrive than when I first thought of it.

2 Likes
10

yay! :grin:

Awesome when the happens, isn’t it?

Hmm, nope XD That being said, I haven’t been able to do any deep editing of my main project recently because I don’t have time for that. Just little minor edits to a project that only needs minor edits.

So, how many projects are you working on now? Just the one that you’re editing?

3 Likes
11

I’ve been sort of flip flopping between 3 projects this year so far. Revising The Merlin Paradox, line editing/proofreading Soul Survivor, but also I started writing a new one for ONC.

I lost my traction on the ONC book. I’m worried if I’ll make the next round. It wouldn’t be the end of the world, but I’d hate to lose my streak.

In any case, I had to restructure my priorities because of financial reasons so it all needs to take the backseat now.

3 Likes
12

I like that title :blush:

Well, you could always try to do your own personal ONC with your own schedule if you wanted to? Just write a certain amount of words in a certain amount of days and really challenge yourself to complete it. It’s not the same as doing it with other people, but you could invite people to do it with you?

I’m having to restructure my life, too :sweat_smile:

2 Likes