Hi everyone!
Two more weeks of editing and things are both ahead of and maybe-kinda-sorta just on schedule.
Let me explain –
Each volume in the series comprises two parts, and each part is a standalone arc with its own themes and conclusion that feed into the broader story. According to my original plan, I’d set aside one month to review each of the parts in the first volume, then another to review the story as a whole. Instead, I made it through both in the very first month, and I now have the remaining two to ensure the details are correct and that everything flows as smoothly as it can.
It’s also made me aware of a host of other things as well. Each pass over the text reveals more areas to tweak or fix up, and through this process, I’ve made two important realisations:
- Writing a story feels a lot getting the keys to a hidden mansion and opening up the doors. At first, you’re aware of the general dimensions and possibilities of the place, but it’s only when you explore each room that you understand how they’re all laid out. Likewise, it’s only when you’ve explored them all that you understand how the mansion comes together. Even though something might have been staring at you all along, it’s only when you reach this point that you see it’s out of place (or right at home).
- Some scenes and conversations are easy to re-write or touch up, but others resist all attempts at change. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the latter are often some of the most important in the story. The emotion you felt at the time of writing is so crucial to these scenes that even the smallest changes can set everything off track. With that in mind, it is possible to edit something into oblivion, but sometimes, it takes several days of attempted re-writes and changes to fully understand that fact, update one or two sentences that make everything just right, then leave the rest alone.
Everything’s moving along as fast as it possibly can, but there’s still a great deal more to be done. My wife and I sit around in the late hours of the night after meetings debating logos and symbols, and I’m spending every spare minute in helping it all move ahead.
I’ll provide more updates again soon.
Until then, may the day be yours.