Writing The Wedding that Changed Everything: Edits Part 1

I kept a little diary while writing my eighth book, The Wedding That Changed Everything, which I'll be sharing on the blog during the run up to publication.

*       *       *

First Round of Edits

So, the first round of edits landed in my inbox yesterday, and I'm going to be brutally honest here, I'd have quite happily burned the book - laptop and all - and never attempted to write another word again.

The good news is, I've realised this is a completely normal reaction to receiving editorial notes. I've reacted in a similar way every single time before and, after speaking to some writer friends, it seems it isn't an uncommon feeling at all. And, to my knowledge, none of us has ever actually burned our books (or laptops) afterwards.

The other bit of good news is, despite feeling all this before, I've always got through the edits and produced a much better book at the end. Knowing this made me feel less hyperventilate-y (but couldn't take it away completely, obviously) and I did what I always do: I got on with the job.

I didn't actually sit down at my laptop and start to edit straight away, however. I need a bit of time to let my editor's thoughts settle, to mull over the new ideas before I open the document and dive into a new draft. I knew this edit was going to be BIG. Huge. It would involve a lot of rewriting scenes - and writing brand new ones from scratch - and shifting things around. There would be a lot of work, but I needed to keep reminding myself that the book will be much better because of it.

Once I've got my head (sort of) around what's needed, I take my editor's notes and create a plan of action, expanding with my own thoughts and dividing the points into sections and bullet points. It makes it clearer for me to understand what I need to do and it means I can cross off the points as I achieve them in the manuscript. Every writer has their own methods, but this is what I've found works for me.

So now I have my revision notes, it's time to dive into the book again. Wish me luck (I think I'll need it!)

Love happens when you least expect it…

Emily Atkinson stopped believing in fairy tales a long time ago! She’s fed up of dating frogs in order to track down her very own Prince Charming, despite the best efforts of her matchmaking best friend…

But now she’s been invited to the wedding of the year at the enchanting Durban Castle, and perhaps bumping into a knight in shining armour isn’t as far away as she thought!

Will Emily survive the wedding and walk away an unscathed singleton – or finally find her own happily-ever-after?





Amazon UK | Amazon US

Click to see all 'Writing The Wedding that Changed Everything' posts