During the last week I’ve concentrated on editing manuscript #1. Just call me the Slasher. This puppy has been in play a long time, too long it feels like. The final edit process has been painful and cathartic, but is producing a tighter story than I thought possible (once upon a time). Soon it’ll be ready to send out to a last round of beta-readers. After that…I guess it’ll be time to shop it around.
That seems weird almost, considering how long this pile of paper has been languishing in various formats. I’ve cut and reworked so much of this novel, inserting characters, cutting arcs, removing story threads…and then stitching and sewing the bits back together that it earned the nickname Frankenscript. Trying to smoothe all those scars into the surrounding tissue is difficult.
I’m not quite done, but it’s sooo close.
No forward momentum on potential query-recipients, but I did read some more about writing craft, attended two workshops, and wrote somewhere in the neighborhood of 5K this week. A good haul.
How goes your voyage? Taking on water? Bailing like mad? …or is it clear sailing toward the horizon? I think that’s enough of the maritime metaphors. Savvy?
I must be tired.
Lesann Berry 
#1 by Brittney Van Sandt on February 26, 2012 - 10:32 pm
Good job this week! I know exactly what you mean.. mine is becoming one of those patched together creatures as well! What workshops did you attend? Love the maritime jargon btw:)
#2 by Leslie on February 28, 2012 - 4:25 pm
I hear about people who can write a story start to finish without a scar on it…I wonder how they do that?!
I have two ongoing workshops – one is writing with a group, the other is a critique (ouch)…both are useful. One builds you up and the other tears you down. Come to think of it, writing is a lot like the elementary school playground. All that equipment designed to make you feel ill at the same time you claim to be having fun!
#3 by Marion Spicher on February 27, 2012 - 12:22 am
Yup, I’m re-writing a manuscript as well. Not as rapidly as you are, but plugging away. Congratulations on your skill with a knife, and stitch repairs!
#4 by Leslie on February 28, 2012 - 4:22 pm
I appreciate the accolades Marion but they are definately premature. lol
This story is in a better place than I thought it might ever be…but, it still feels far from being polished. Finished maybe, but definately not shiny and bright enough to lure an agent out of the slushpile. Maybe someday.
#5 by Traci Kenworth on February 27, 2012 - 1:46 am
Good luck in Slasherdome. I, too, sometimes feel like this when faced when the hefty job of carving away a manuscript to the best it can be.
#6 by Leslie on February 28, 2012 - 4:20 pm
If only it were a matter of stabbing the manuscript itself with a sharp object. Not that I’ve EVER thought about that. *whistling*
#7 by Bridgette Booth on February 27, 2012 - 6:57 am
I have a ms which could have earned the nickname Frankenscript. Good for you for sticking to it. I threw up my hands in horror. The horror, the horror. Oops. Sorry, Joseph Conrad always pops out when I type the word horror.
Good luck with your work. You sound like an able plastic surgeon.
#8 by Leslie on February 28, 2012 - 4:19 pm
Okay, that almost made coffee come out my nose. “the horror!” LOL
I wish I were a better surgeon…Frankenscript would be better served as a horror story rather than a suspense. I suppose I could rewrite it? Again. *head on desk*
#9 by Marcia Richards on March 1, 2012 - 7:06 am
Mine is in similar shape, which is why I let it languish a bit and am writing short stories just to get something on the market. My MS is not finished and I’m having trouble getting it there…so much so that I tend to summarize some days just to get it done…not a good scenario. It’s sitting in the ‘hold’ until I my smaller ship sets sail. (Wanted to follow your nautical theme.) 🙂
Great job on making progress with yours!
#10 by Leslie on March 1, 2012 - 12:25 pm
I keep asking myself when it will be edited and keep discovering, maybe next time through. I once read that when you catch yourself just moving commas around and not making important changes, then it’s done. I’m not there. I keep thinking I am but when I pull it back out and starting reading, I can still tighten and cut…so the grind continues. Hope yours goes smoothly once you get done languishing…which is also a cool word.