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What am I talking about?
My second Love Inspired Historical. Yes, second! How cool is that?
I received the verbal offer for this story back in October and inked the official paper copy of the contract and sent it off to Canada this past week.
Two weeks after the initial offer came, I received my revision notes from my editor. Since the (as-yet-untitled) book isn't due out until early 2016, my deadline for completing the revisions was generous.
The leaner, cleaner story doesn't have to hit my editor's inbox until the end of January, so I was able to enjoy the holidays.
Taking time away from the story enabled me to figure out fixes for the flaws and weaknesses my editor pointed out.
Before I began writing, I had no idea how much work a fiction writer does to get a story ready for readers. Oh, I knew there were edits, of course, but I didn't know that I would be required to take my stories apart and put them back together.
I learned that there are threads in a story. When woven together, they create a pleasing whole.
The trouble comes when I have to pull, tug or yank some of those threads out. I had to do just that during the revisions process for my second LIH.
The result was a tangled mess.
Not to worry. I took on the untangling as a challenge, determined to have fun replacing those weak threads with stronger ones. And I have.
I've spent the past two weeks working new threads into the story, and I'm much happier with it. Thanks to my savvy editor and the changes I've made as a result of her excellent input, I have a story I hope readers will enjoy.
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If you're a reader, were you aware how much work goes into a story before it ends up in your hands?
If you're a writer, did you realize how many changes your stories would undergo before they were ready for readers?
Posts
And don't you love the good feeling of seeing your better book after you get the tangles all combed out?
ReplyDeleteWorking out the tangles and seeing the new and improved story is so rewarding, isn't it, Jean?
ReplyDeleteI remember being terrified the first time I had to do this. But then I even blogged on it afterwards, noting that yes, I actually could take a story apart and put it back together. :) It's so fun to watch it come together!
ReplyDeleteI hear you.
ReplyDeleteMissy, it's nice to know I'm not alone in having been terrified the first time I had to dismantle a story and put it back together again. One thing that helped was the feedback I'd received from you when you read a portion of that story in a contest. Your literary fingerprints are in my debut novel, and I love that.
ReplyDeleteLeann, sounds like you can relate all too well.
ReplyDeleteApt description :)
ReplyDeletePamela, I gather you can relate, but I'm sure you're a master at unraveling any tangles you might encounter.
ReplyDeleteKeli, I am still SO excited that you'll have another LIH coming out! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure all your hard work on de-tangling will pay off nicely.
Hugs, Patti Jo
I appreciate your kind words, Patti Jo. You've encouraged me many times. Just today I received the nicest card from you. Thanks!
ReplyDelete