Picking Up The Editing Pace, Vegas, What I’m Reading

Introduction

Morning Beginnings

Good morning! Today kicks off with a productive start as I tackled 10 pages of my book. On my recent camping trip, I brought along 40 printed-out pages from draft 7 of my manuscript to keep up with my editing. Editing isn't a chore for me; it's a delightful part of my day that I wanted to bring along on my outdoor adventure. During the trip, I managed to work through pages 61 to 87 and continued from pages 88 to 99 upon returning.

These pages are now marked with orange ink, waiting to be entered into the draft on my computer, which I hope to address later today. Back from my camping trip yesterday and soon heading to Las Vegas, I'll likely print more pages to bring along. I adore the meditative practice of editing by hand and aim to integrate it into my routine daily.

Ongoing Edits

I've been diligently entering the previously edited pages and am thrilled to see my word count drop below 120,000 words. Although I have about 10,000 words more to cut, we are making significant progress. Feeling motivated, I hit the gym for a break and return later to continue editing.

Despite miscellaneous tasks and travel prep for Vegas tomorrow, I'll squeeze in more editing today.

Revisiting Camping Edits

I've entered all the camping trip edits to my document. I've successfully reduced my word count further, and it's inspiring to see the chapter pages decrease in length. My goal remains to cut approximately 1,000 words per 40 pages. The progress is noteworthy. Although it's now 6:30, and I'm feeling the call of the sunshine, I'll first print more pages to work on outside.

A Printing Glitch

A peculiar printing error with page numbers surfaced, but ignoring that, I'm thrilled about completing 17 pages by hand today. Travel to Vegas is imminent, and although my focus is editing, I also have some Fiverr orders to complete.

Arrival in Vegas

After a whirlwind of travel and activities in Vegas, which included attending the licensing Expo, I'm back in Utah. Despite bringing printouts, I managed only about 10 pages due to balancing Expo work and a Fiverr project. Yet, I feel creatively revived and focused on picking up my editing pace in the coming weeks.

Editing Day Overview

Situated back home, I push through editing from the early hours, tackling yet another round of pages and embracing gym breaks for mental clarity. I aim to finish the remaining printed pages today, contributing to remarkable word count reductions.

Setting Stretch Goals

After completing my morning errands, I dive back into editing with the target of 30-40 pages. Despite minor obstacles like printer issues and workout fatigue, my eagerness to reach my editing goals remains unwavering. Completing 60 pages in a day feels exhilarating, and I reward myself with celebratory cookies.

Reflecting and Resuming

Enjoying moments outside to reset, I ponder the importance of nature as described in "The Comfort Crisis," a nonfiction book enhancing my editing journey. Ending the day on a high note, I wrap up my editing sessions, feeling immensely accomplished and prepared for the next steps in refining my manuscript.

Keywords

• Editing
• Camping
• Vegas
• Word Count
• Meditation
• Nature
• Licensing Expo
• Freelancing
• Printed Pages

FAQ

Q: Why do you choose to edit by hand? A: Editing by hand provides a more meditative experience, allowing me to catch details I might miss on a screen.

Q: How many words are you aiming to cut from your manuscript? A: My goal is to cut roughly 10,000 words to streamline the story and meet the industry standard for a debut fantasy novel.

Q: What’s the importance of word count in your editing process? A: Maintaining a reasonable word count is crucial, especially for debut authors, ensuring the manuscript is compelling and concise.

Q: Why do you print pages for editing instead of solely working on a computer? A: Printed pages allow for a tangible editing experience, making it easier to mark up and reflect on changes.

Q: How do you balance editing with other tasks like freelancing? A: I manage my time by setting specific goals and taking breaks, ensuring both my editing and freelancing commitments are met efficiently.

Q: What was the licensing Expo about? A: The licensing Expo focuses on industry partnerships for brand and character licensing, an area that offers unique insights and creative rejuvenation.

Q: What’s your approach to handling a high-achieving editing goal? A: I break down the task into manageable segments, rewarding progress and maintaining flexibility to adjust the pace as needed.