I started editing my third novel, and you know what, it doesn't suck!

[Prawn]

Editing my first novel took me 6 or 8 months. I was expecting the same marathon with novel number three, but I am a couple of chapters in, and it has only taken me a couple of hours. I think my writing may actually be getting better. Gadzooks!

[C.bronco]

You go boy!

[sneakers145]

Cool! I love when that happens!

[seun]

Nicely done. :)

[JohnDavidPaxton]

Wait.

You have to edit novels?

This changes everything.

[Stew21]

good for you, Prawn. Nothing better than seeing what you wrote doesn't suck.

I have to admit when I read the thread title I thought it said "I've started eating my third novel"


I'm not sure why. :)

[dolores haze]

Editing is a skill too. Maybe your writing AND your editing is getting better.

[Sassee]

Editing my first novel took me 6 or 8 months. I was expecting the same marathon with novel number three, but I am a couple of chapters in, and it has only taken me a couple of hours. I think my writing may actually be getting better. Gadzooks!

Share some of that mojo, please :tongue

[ChaosTitan]

I think my writing may actually be getting better. Gadzooks!

:e2woo: It's it a great feeling?

[The_Grand_Duchess]

Yay! Lets here it for not sucking!

[JoNightshade]

::Jo rubs Prawn's head for good luck::

[The Grump]

Isn't it a great feeling? Congrats.

[StoryG27]

Share some of that mojo, please :tongue
Yeah, what she said. And congrats!

[TheKnightWhoSaidNi]

Good! I know the feeling, and it was with book 3 as well. Guess three's the lucky number. Then I go back to look at the first and I cry. A long road of editing and self doubt lies before me...

[Tracy]

Well done you!

[ottorino]

Practice, it is.

[Rich]

'tis a joy to behold. All that work and you find that it doesn't suck.

Kudos.

[Ava Jarvis]

:hooray:

[Nateskate]

Editing my first novel took me 6 or 8 months. I was expecting the same marathon with novel number three, but I am a couple of chapters in, and it has only taken me a couple of hours. I think my writing may actually be getting better. Gadzooks!

Thats a pretty good day's work!

[maddythemad]

What a great feeling! Not sucking is actually one of the hardest accomplishments out there. Well done!

[iamshaylen]

Wow! Congrats!

I wish I could say the same thing with my marathon editing. Although, in fairness, this time round has been shorter than the last...

I'm still up to 5 months thus far and it's excruciating.

Good luck to you! :-)

[Zoombie]

It took me...let me count...

<Zombies, ringworlds, werewolves, zombies again, R.E.M, space ships, werewolves in cuba...>

Eight books to get a book I still think is good!

[Prawn]

I never said that it was good, much less that it was great fiction. I am currently happy to aspire to the level of not sucking.

I have been working on it an hour or two per day for the past week, and I am about 1/3 of the way though the first edit. Three weeks for the first edit is astounding since it took three months for the first edit of my first book. I think that as I am writing, I am forseeing many of the problems that I used to have to hunt for. I am either fixing them, or leaving myself a breadcrumb <Make sure he knows about Linda's death here.> as I go, so the editing is easier than last time.

This is my third novel. If I can climb out of the suckage stage in the first edit, I will have that much more time to polish it and make it shine. One day, if I write a zillion novels, the first draft might just come out already more or less polished! Zounds!

P.S. Am I allowed to say that storygirl is hot?

[ClaudiaGray]

Go, Prawn, go!

[Ava Jarvis]

:Thumbs:

[Ken Schneider]

Wait until you write the tenth one, let it rest in the drawer for six months and re-read it. You'll think some other writer left his excellent novel in your drawer.http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif
That doesn't mean that an agent or publisher will love it, but you'll know you've improved leaps and bounds.

Practice makes perfect.

[Prawn]

Wait until you write the tenth one, let it rest in the drawer for six months and re-read it. You'll think some other writer left his excellent novel in your drawer.http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif


Or perhaps you could just let me know what drawer you have left yours in!

[Prawn]

Finished the first revision. It took less than three weeks, which about half the time of the first revision of the first book that I wrote. So either my editing skills have decayed, or the rough draft of this book was definitely stronger than the rough draft of my first book.

Cool.

[Judg]

:Wha: You mean practice and experience actually have value???

I learn something new every day...

[Nateskate]

Editing my first novel took me 6 or 8 months. I was expecting the same marathon with novel number three, but I am a couple of chapters in, and it has only taken me a couple of hours. I think my writing may actually be getting better. Gadzooks!


Reaching the "I stopped sucking" milestone is one of the greatest feelings, one I share. Congratulations.

[wood pixie]

That is great, Prawn!!

If I'd heard this from someone before maybe I wouldn't procrastinate on my editing and polishing so much.

You've given me hope! Bless you!! ;)

[Prawn]

It gets easier, I swear!

[Soccer Mom]

That is the best feeling in the entire world! Enjoy!