I just finished my edits on my manuscript. I had several scenes to rewrite and after completing those they flowed well and the scenes had much more power and added to the story. I had held off writing one chapter since it was very important to the development of the characters and plot line.
The feeling I had once all of it was done was great. I wandered around the house saying out loud “I finished!!” Yet it isn’t really finished. I know need to have some objective critiques done before I feel it is actually done. But right now this first step is made. As I looked it over, stopping in different places to read and absorb what I have written I felt good about it.
Turning it over to someone else to critically pick it apart is a bit of a troublesome thought. Of course I think it is what I want it to be yet I know I am not objective. My biggest concern is the POV. These are still my words and I know these characters as if they are real people. To me they are. I have had some help from my husband. He is an avid reader and his male perspective is valuable. It was also my first step in having another person look at a work I consider a part of me.
I guess my feelings are pretty common and I know I want to share it with readers. The time will come when I give up the words to the world and wait to see what others think. In the mean time I will continue to push it through all the steps to make it the best work it can be.
-N
I wish you the very best of luck. From my experience, and from going “word-blind” to my own manuscripts, I found that the real tedious work begins after completing the first draft; all those revision, edits, and tweaks, and all those scenes, even a certain word, or phrase are agonising to let go of, but, that’s why a good development editor gets the job, because it can be painful, heh.
I’d like to add something – somewhat paraphrasing myself; sometimes the writer can get in the way of a good story, after all they’re only the author, they introduced the characters to the world, and now it’s time to let them live their own lives.
Good luck.
Thanks for the helpful words. Going through my first draft and finding loads of punctuation and grammar errors it brought home to me how important another pair of eyes will be. I know I will need an editor for these next big steps. I guess it is time to find one. I’ve told the story my characters wanted me to tell, so now it’s time to give them a chance to really live. I appreciate the like and the follow!
-N
Oh I so know how you feel! I got one of my edited manuscripts back just yesterday and now I have to get to it and ‘finish it’… One step closer 🙂
I guess it’s the writers dance. Having come this far I’m excited to complete the process and see what’s next. Good luck!