I had my first official interview regarding 47 Destinies: Book One last week. It was exciting. I've been so wrapped up in Book Two that at first I had a hard time remembering my plot line from Book One. Once I refreshed my memory, I had a great time. For those of you wondering what type of questions are asked, here are a few of the details:
*Date published
*Publisher
*Setting
*Plot line
*Main characters
*History with writing
*How long it took to write
*Where to purchase
*Contact information
*Head shot
A few things I learned from this interview:
*I need to be better prepared with all of the book information
*I am going to get a professional headshot
*I will find out important details like when the article may be published
*I will have book signing dates available
Overall, I did good. The article came out today in the Georgetown Gazette. Yippee. It's my first of hopefully many to come!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Writing a Book: The Edit Phase
Ewww. As you can see, I don't like to edit. Well, by the time I have reached the point of doing a 'final edit'. I have already gone through many versions. There is the first version in my head, then an outline, first draft, second draft, re-writes, third draft....the list could go on forever, but I don't want you to think I actually track all these versions. I don't. Well, I kind of do.
One of the best hints I tell new writers is to be aware of version control. There is nothing worse than attempting to figure out which version is the most current. I label all of my versions in one easy to understand format. For example, for Book Two my system is Grace.draft.12.16.12. If I am doing a ton of important versions in one day, I even add the time at the end. You might think I am obsessive, but I guarantee if you have ever been confused about versions you understand. Drafts are important. I have gone back to my drafts to add something back in that I have taken out. You never know what you might need. I save all of my drafts in a folder titled 'Draft'. None of this is rocket science, it is just my method.
I also save it on one portable drive. I occasionally save a version to my laptop in case I lose the portable drive. However, I only make edits to the portable drive. The other versions are merely for backup purposes. Sometimes near the end, I also email it to myself. Am I paranoid? Yes.
For Book Two, I cut down on the number of pre-readers. In fact, there were only two. One read to ensure that the character's actions stayed true to their personalities. The other reader did the main edits. I stink at commas, 'which' versus 'that', and several other issues. My editor, who likes to remain nameless, is amazing at all of my weaknesses and more! After I got the bulk of the story done, I also had one 'fan' read it for content. Was it good? Did it flow? Will people like it? They helped me answer these important questions.
Currently, I am in the re-reading phase. I will have a proof done in a week or so of the paperback. I will read that over and over again. Then I will read it again. :) After, I will send it to my publisher. And, that is it!
The edit process in a nut shell. Crazy, eh?
One of the best hints I tell new writers is to be aware of version control. There is nothing worse than attempting to figure out which version is the most current. I label all of my versions in one easy to understand format. For example, for Book Two my system is Grace.draft.12.16.12. If I am doing a ton of important versions in one day, I even add the time at the end. You might think I am obsessive, but I guarantee if you have ever been confused about versions you understand. Drafts are important. I have gone back to my drafts to add something back in that I have taken out. You never know what you might need. I save all of my drafts in a folder titled 'Draft'. None of this is rocket science, it is just my method.
I also save it on one portable drive. I occasionally save a version to my laptop in case I lose the portable drive. However, I only make edits to the portable drive. The other versions are merely for backup purposes. Sometimes near the end, I also email it to myself. Am I paranoid? Yes.
For Book Two, I cut down on the number of pre-readers. In fact, there were only two. One read to ensure that the character's actions stayed true to their personalities. The other reader did the main edits. I stink at commas, 'which' versus 'that', and several other issues. My editor, who likes to remain nameless, is amazing at all of my weaknesses and more! After I got the bulk of the story done, I also had one 'fan' read it for content. Was it good? Did it flow? Will people like it? They helped me answer these important questions.
Currently, I am in the re-reading phase. I will have a proof done in a week or so of the paperback. I will read that over and over again. Then I will read it again. :) After, I will send it to my publisher. And, that is it!
The edit process in a nut shell. Crazy, eh?
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