I have a new date for my book’s release: January 2018. Whilst this means I must wait another four months’ to see my book on the shelves, it also means that I have more time to complete these final edits and get my novel into tip-top shape.
Once this book is published, that’s it—I won’t be able to change it. It will be out there forever and it will outlive me. I want it to be something I’m really proud of, so even though it means postponing its release, I’d rather spend this extra time getting it right than putting it out there with a few things not quite finished off.
I’m also a tad obsessional and never do things by halves but that, of course, has nothing to do with it. (Dear husband, you’re not allowed to comment.)
It feels as if I’ve been editing this damn book forever, but I think I’m nearly there. Most of the book is how I want it, just a few things towards the end that need tidying up. It’s not so much what happens—I like all my plot points—it’s more making sure they flow easily and make sense to the reader. It’s fine-tuning, tweaking little by little, and it takes time.
As a writer, one of the things you hear is that big publishers don’t pay enough attention to editing and the quality of books is suffering. I have no idea what other publishers are like, but my experience with Allen and Unwin has been the exact opposite. My publisher wrote this to me in an email the other day:
‘What I really want to reinforce is that the most important thing to us is that we give you time to write the best book possible. I don’t want to rush you or indeed us in our responses to your revisions.’
It made my day! I’d been feeling pressured by the deadline, that I should send my book back by the due date even if I wasn’t completely happy with it. It was a relief to read that they want what I want—the best possible book—and they’re willing to give me extra time to do that. It’s all about the story and getting it right even if it takes longer.
So I’ll have to wait another four months to see my book on a shelf, but that’s nothing. I’ve already been working on it for 5 1/2 years, so I can wait an extra four months.
Writing a novel is hard work and takes a long time. When I first started, I didn’t realise how hard it would be or how long it would take. I’ve made loads of mistakes but I’ve learnt so much for next time. Now I can’t wait to get stuck into ‘next time’.
I’d booked a few nights at Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers’ Centre for some distraction-free writing time. I’ve been here for a few days now, making solid progress on the last part of the manuscript and also enjoying the beautiful bush surrounds.
For the first time in ages, I felt like taking my camera out. Here are a few pics:
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By the way, now that my tight deadline has gone, Writers in the Attic will be back as usual tomorrow. A reminder, too, that if you’d like to contribute to that, please send me 600-1000 words on your writing life or what writing means to you or, indeed, anything at all related to writing!
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Also, here’s the link to sign up to my newsletter if you want. Please do as I’ll now have time to write one!
Gosh, January 2018 doesn’t seem that far away either! And aren’t all writers absolutely obsessional? Love the photographs.:)
I think being obsessional is part of the job description! 🙂 And it was lovely to pull the camera out again. Better still, I hadn’t forgotten how to use it!
Even this post sounds more relaxed. I love the photos too. 🙂
Pressure’s off! And I can now do justice to the last bit of my novel! 🙂 (Thought you might like the photos!)
Good for you, Louise. I think of you often as I plod along with my own rewrites. It seems to me, I feel less pressure than you, which might come out of the fact I’m writing memoir or that I’m less of a perfectionist, which of course worries me. Then again, I’ve been working on my book for something like twenty years, so maybe this accounts for fewer last minute panics.
It’s wonderful that your publishers are so understanding. And I’m sure when you’re satisfied, the book will be wonderful. I imagine it already is.
I think it’s the perfectionism thing, Lis. I’ve always been this way inclined, but I’ve learned to let a lot of things go over the years. However, I’ve decided that I’m not letting my book go out until it’s as good as I can possibly get it. I hope I won’t be one of those authors who won’t let their book go until the publisher wrenches it from their hands! 😉
Love the photos! Making me excited about being at KSP in June. I feel all of your pain. My release date is Feb 2018 but there are still so many more edits to make. I just want to get the book out of my life!
You’ll love it here! It’s a great place to write, Kali.
Yes, you get to the point where you’re completely over your book, don’t you?! Everyone’s edits are different, but most writers find them hard. They’re so worth it, though, and improve the book 100%. 🙂
Awww, we have to wait a little longer too. Oh well, I’m sure it will be worth the wait, and as you say, it’s important that your book is the best it can be.
(I’ll never forget hearing David (Cloud Atlas) Mitchell saying that he was still making changes to his book on the day of the deadline, and even so, he found he’d missed something after all.)
One of the reasons I don’t want it going out without being finished off properly, Lisa, is because of reviewers such as yourself!
Someone said a novel is never finished, you just let it go at some point. I suspect that will be the case with mine. However, while I can still spot the errors, I want a chance to fix them! 🙂
If your writing is half as good as your photos then we are in for a treat!
I hope my writing is better than my photos! I’m glad you like the pics, though! Thanks for popping in, Asta! x
Great news, we’ll all breathe along with you xxx
My apologies for making my poor readers suffer all the ins and outs of this tumultuous ride to publication. But thanks for your support.
I am relieved for you Louise, that’s great news x
Thanks, Kooky! It’s a relief to be able to take my time, that’s for sure. 🙂
I believe it’s the absolute right thing to do since you’re able to have the book delayed. Take your time and try to enjoy the scenery there as well! Like you’ve just done. They’re beautiful photos. Love how the sun makes the leaves look golden. 🙂
Thanks, Lena! Yes, it’s hard to think creatively when under the pump like that. It’s nice to have the time to explore.
The photos were taken during the ‘golden hour’ just before sunset. It does give them a glow. 🙂
It sounds like you have an incredibly positive relationship with your publisher, Louise, and I’m glad you have a little more time to make your story the best it can possibly be. Enjoy this editing process! The rest of us know the best things are worth waiting for.
I love my publishers! I’m enjoying the editing process again, too. And you’re right about the best things being worth waiting for—I think it’s a small sacrifice for a much bigger reward. I hope so anyway! 🙂
I don’t want to say I’m tired or anything but I just wrote a comment in your ‘subscribe’ box up there. 😜
Anyway… I completely agree that it’s best not to rush as the book will be out because there’s nothing you can do once it’s out. Best take your time. How wonderful to have a publishing house that wants the same thing and understands this process. Look forward to reading this when it is released! 💖 Gorgeous photos.
Haha! I think you might be tired!
Those were my thoughts exactly—once a book is published, you can’t change it. (Except if it goes to reprint and you have to sell quite a few copies to get to that point!) Already, I’m glad I chose to wait and rework it until I was happy with it! 🙂 Thanks, Sarah!