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What does a writer do when a manuscript is with an editor? Clean closets, shop, throw stuff out, look for mouse nests, tame the desktop. In short: house attack. This is arduous work, and I’m very much looking forward to getting back to writing.
Not that there isn’t writing work I should be doing: research, for one, taking notes. I’ve yet to organize my notes from my latest research trip to Europe, for example.
But for now, something from the book pages of the Ottawa Citizen. (A wonderful book page that hasn’t expired!)
The quote, which is spot on with respect to the revision process, is from author Sloane Crosley, author of How Did You Get This Number?
“I am handing in a draft and we will see what happens. Trying to shove it back into the womb and have it come out something else is a very tricky experience as it looks familiar, but is a bit off….”
Indeed!
Jordan, thank you for your enthusiasm. However, it's only Part One that's with an editor, and I've yet to hear back. I've a long way to go, and both Claude and Athénaïs will no doubt continue to evolve. The main challenges right now are fact-related. I'm doing intensive research, and even one small detail can change quite a few things in the story. Thanks for your interesting questions!
Sandra,
The manuscript is back with the editor? So does that mean you just finished a new draft? If so, that's pretty exciting.
What do you think of this new draft as compared to others so far? Have the characters of Claude Des Oeillets or Madame de Montespan evolved since the last time your editor saw them? Have any new problems cropped up in with regard to story construction?
Jordan