Write. Rewrite. Write.

Writing is rewriting. And rewriting & rewriting. Someone smart once said that, I can’t remember who, but I’m quoting them now since rewriting is what I’ll begin doing tomorrow. The secret of good editing is, in my experience, being willing to change absolutely everything in order to make a more brilliant and beautiful story. It’s in being open to other ideas that may well be more inspired than your own. During draft six of HOPE, my agent suggested cutting out half the characters. I confess, I was momentarily horrified. I didn’t see how it’d make the book better. But she was right, and it did. My first reader, Alice Jago, has just given me several suggestions to improve WITCHES and, since I’m now more practised in the art of letting go, I can see how the book will be far more brilliant with them and I’m excited to get rewriting tomorrow!

Pic: O’s first taste of the sea – in Southwold – he wasn’t too keen but it was a little chilly on the toes