Writer's Update: Editing

-

The Writer At Work (maybe)

Summer-like weather has resulted in some writing happening outside.

"Editing" is the word to describe most of what I'm doing just now. Not only is there the on-going work on A Coastal Corpse, but there are all those photos from my trip last month. I'm currently enjoying reliving my time in the Grand Canyon.

In a way, what I'm doing in my yard is also editing: pruning, weeding, choosing space for some veggies over a decorative plant. I'm rewriting my little piece of land to reflect me, rather than the previous owners.

As for the novel, somehow my efforts to tighten the point of view and locate and eliminate redundant bits has morphed into time spent with the word list I use to locate and fix my most common writing flaws and errors. This is the real work of trying to up my book from a good story to good prose. I'm a little worried because I'm still not 100% confident about the story, so maybe I'm getting ahead of myself? If you want to chime in on that question (as in, you'd like to beta-read), let me know in the comments.

Meanwhile I need to go edit out some over-growth in my hedges, along with some over-growth in my words. I hope spring is blooming beautifully where you are (or fall, if you happen to be in the Southern Hemisphere).

Here's a bit of my blooming yard for you:


And a sneak preview of the Canyon, in the form of another bit of blooming spring:

Redbud.

 

Short fiction and my goals around submitting stories are on hold as I can't manage that many projects at once.

Check back on Friday, when I should have the first installment of the Canyon photos up!



©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2023
 As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated.
Don't miss a post--Follow us!


Comments

  1. Jemima PettMay 17, 2023 at 5:15 AM

    I keep wondering if I'm supposed to be reading your MS. Which means none of the other books in my immediate list I really fancy. But no, I'm waiting for the next version...
    There's a great gardener called Alys Fowler who grows her veggies and flowers and shrubs all together in her backyard. British, but you may be able to find some ideas online.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Patricia JLMay 18, 2023 at 9:26 AM

    I've been in the editing trenches a lot lately, as well. Right now, it's easier than trying to write new stuff for a novel given how upheaved my life has been this year. At least a few things are good things, like my nephew graduating, but damn, there is a lot going on this year for me.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Let us know what you think! We love to hear from our readers!

Popular Posts

#WEP--The Scream

-
Image
WEP challenges are FREE and open to all. On the 1st   of the challenge month, there will be a   get-your-thinking-caps   on post. The badge will include the dates of the challenge and the winner’s   prizes. The InLinkz sign up will open on the third Wednesday and close 3 days later. It will contain no news, just the sign up. Participants link up with their DLs (Direct Links to their entry).  Learn all about it here .    My entry this time is based on an actual incident. Mom and my brothers will recognize it. My apologies to them for the non-trivial liberties I took with history and their personalities. We are now also meant to provide a tag line for our stories, so here's mine: What terrors lurk in the root cellar?     The Scream The house we lived in that year wasn’t much. The wind blew in everywhere you could imagine a draft, and some places you couldn’t. The old enclosed porch we used as a root cellar was worse. It wasn’t just the wind that could get in through the chinks a
Read more

#IWSG + Cozy Review & Author Interview: Murder in Second Position

-
Image
This is a big post! Lots going on... hang in there.   What is the IWSG?   We are a group of writers who gather on the Internet to offer support and encouragement to each other! And we owe it all to the founder, Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. Thanks, Alex! Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Every month, we announce a question that mem
Read more

#WEP: December Flash Fiction Challenge

-
Image
This December challenge wraps up the year of artistic inspiration from some great works of art. The WEP is open to all, following the simple rules: 1. SUBMIT your name to the list below on December 1 thru the 15th . Add your link (URL) 2. POST your entry, put WEP is in the TITLE along with The Narcissus badge within your entry. 3. STATE feedback preferences and word count at the end of your entry. 4. READ other entries, giving feedback if requested. 5. SHARE THE CHALLENGE on social media. Tweets are ready on the WEP blog. PLEASE NOTE: ENTRIES CLOSE Dec. 15th @ midnight (NY Time - check WEP blog clock) ALL GENRES WELCOME except erotica - 1,000 words maximum My story for this month's challenge is maybe cheating a little--I didn't write it for the challenge, but I decided that the common understanding of Narcissus and narcissism fits well enough, even if the story doesn't relate to the painting. I wrote this while trekking in Nepal last month, highlighting a character w
Read more