Did you know about the painful process of book editing?
Hellooooo there!
Today is day 9 of blog marathon. Time is certainly flying. It goes by so fast, that it seems like just minutes ago the sun was rising, and now it's almost the end of the day. Does it feel like that for you too?
My day today was spent in editing my next book. It will be published by Harper Collins, and will be out in April or May. It is set in a beautiful coffee estate, and is a very unusual story. I am most excited about it, and so is my editor. I am fortunate to be working with her-- as she is very experienced and is in love with the book and the characters as much as me. She enjoys the process immensely too!
A good editor can enhance the book and a bad editor makes the writer look bad.
Editing is extremely intense and focussed work. My attention cannot waver even for a second because I might miss out an important detail. The book usually goes through three or four rounds of edits and proof-reading before it goes to press.
I do enjoy editing, because this is when I am polishing my draft and making my work better. I love the inputs and comments my editor makes. We send each other voice notes and messages on whatsapp. We call to discuss a scene, a turn of events, a little detail.
By the end of the edits, the editor knows every inch of the world that I have created; For months I have been working alone, writing the book. Then there's the editor who joins me. It is like being the sole occupant of an island, learning to survive for months, and then having a friend come along and join you!
But the process is so intense that after a while, it feels like my head will explode if I don't stop. I can work only on about 3-4 paragraphs at one go. I have to take a break after that. Then I have to get right back to work. My attention cannot waver. If I have other stressful things going on in my life, my head hurts as a result of too much mental work, and I would have to take longer breaks.
However, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love the job I am doing!
My page in my illustrated journal yesterday reflected this. You can view it on my art account if you wish to see it. Click HERE.
I shall be back here with another post tomorrow.
If you are enjoying my blog marathon, do leave me a comment. I look forward to them as much as you look forward to my posts !
Love
Preeti
