sequels, editing, and letting go

Hi,

I am not "around" much n GR because I am working on editing the sequel to When Love is Not Enough. It is "done" but not finished. I have that in quotes because I find that in looking this MS over for a final submission, I see way more flaws and I question myself. I am redundant. Therefore, I see the need to cut sentences. This can be good. Culling words was the hardest thing I ever learned. I used to cut things and save them to a separate document as to not "lose" my babies. (Babies=thoughts/words/ideas/sentences etc.) It is hard to simply delete things you write, but as you continue to write, an author (I assume arrogantly) finds that those words aren't really lost. Ideas that flow from a creative mind are always mutating and shifting around in the subconscious and conscious mind, The "babies" aren't lost when I hit the delete key. They are hidden from plain view for a time.

As I edit through this MS, I have seen places where I think, "Oh, this sentence should go here or there. But low and behold a line or two later that thought which popped into mind to be "added" was already in the MS to begin with. My mind already knew I needed it there the first time around and I see this happen time and time again. So... now that I am editing and trying to make the MS the "best it can be" for the dreamspinner editors, I cut lines without looking back. It they were so very important, I would not see the need to delete them now.

I also find it most helpful to edit with a complete MS to work with. Although it is good to edit as I go--which I do--I am glad to weed through the errors after the story is finished because I have a better picture of where things are headed and if events or dialogue is needed/necessary or not. Much of the time, I am adding little tidbits with the previous edit in mind. I remember how the editor suggested things before and I am trying to preclude those suggestions now. So for new authors (which I was and still am) edit with the whole picture in mind! I knowwhat is going to happen, but the reader does not. If I get the character to a place in the story (because I know where he is going) and the reader is going WHAT?!?!? then something is missing. One line of dialogue placed properly can easily fix this stumbling block many times.

Another example of my habitual redundancy comes with the need to remind the reader over and over of a particular event or happening or feeling... whatever... I see this because I guess I am trying to MAKE the reader remember that this happened but really it is unnecessary. THE READER KNOWS! Readers are the ones who on many occasions are reading the book in one sitting. (This is a boon for any writer and highly complimentary when a reader can't put the book down!) But remember author-if the reader is reading it all at once, then they remember what they read ten minutes prior! The need not repeat information is not needed. (So, to all of you who are reading this and think, "Well, Wade, I read items all the time that you reiterate!" I answer, "Forgive me. I am still new at this and I hope to get better with time. Bear with me. Don't stop loving me just because I keep repeating myself." If anything, remind me in a review! Say: HEY WADE, QUIT REPEATING YOURSELF! and give it 3 stars--I will remember it then! I read all my reviews!

So, this is all I have to say for now. The sequel is titled: The Cost of Loving. It is Matt's story in this trilogy. (hopefully not a boring one.) I was going to call it The Price of Loving but then I reconsidered because there is a book called The Price of Falling which seems to pop up on the side of my screen all the time in association with "people who viewed this item also viewed this one." So, because I don't want a title tooooo similar to Melanie's I chose to alter mine slightly. I will keep you informed on the process. I'll let you know (probably via facebook) about my submission and possible acceptance of the MS. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Wade
xoxo