Ready or Not!

I'm a writer first and an editor second. 

I'm not a huge fan of the editing process because it entails killing huge swaths of prose that at one time I was pretty darn excited about. But when I'm wearing my editing hat I have to think practical and from the reader's perspective. Is this scene really necessary? Does it have a purpose? If the answer is "no" then I must kill it. 

It helps to allow a little time between writing and editing. Time enough to lose the enthusiasm for the particular piece that's on the chopping block. But at some point it's necessary to just say enough is enough and give those useless scenes a good WHACK!

I have gained some very helpful second and third eyes who are willing to read and make note of any errors. But a perfect manuscript just doesn't exist. However, it is crucial to have a few people who aren't afraid to tell you the truth--to tell you that your beautiful newborn baby isn't so beautiful after all. In fact it looks more like a deflated whoopee cushion--all red and wrinkly.

The first publishing of The Silver Earth Seed left my editing desk a little too early, I admit. I recently went through and cut forty pages from the original. And I know I can cut more. So that's the plan. After the release of the Tusks of Odoben with all of Rachel's beautiful chapter images, I'm going to re-release The Silver Earth Seed . And, Rachel has offered to do chapter images for the re-release!

I can't wait. A tighter, cleaner, sparkly Silver Earth Seed is in the works!