Overewriting is mega-common. I was hugely guilty of it myself. In my thirties, having been lucky enough to attract a starry London agent, I had my first two novels published by Orion/Hachette.
Twenty-five years later, I discovered that they were no longer in print, so I retrieved the copyrights and decided to bring them up-to-date and self-publish them. I was mortified, having rid myself of my youthful wordiness, to find that I'D LOST OVER 12,000 WORDS in each: WHILE THE MUSIC LASTS and GHOST MUSIC!!!
They're now far better-written - and much faster-paced - than they were when THE SUNDAY TIMES very kindly wrote, "The symphony orchestra becomes a universe - all human life is here."
Writers CAN improve with age and experience - at least, those writers who don't just churn out the same old, same old. Well done you!! XXAlice
Thank you, Alice. I'm not at the 12K-word clear yet...But I still am in the "what was I thinking" mode as I line edit. The story remains the same...just the expression of it.
Thank you. I want the reader to really "get" the character and, thus, why they act as they do. Part of that is atmosphere, part is meter, and part is inner and outer dialogue.
Overewriting is mega-common. I was hugely guilty of it myself. In my thirties, having been lucky enough to attract a starry London agent, I had my first two novels published by Orion/Hachette.
Twenty-five years later, I discovered that they were no longer in print, so I retrieved the copyrights and decided to bring them up-to-date and self-publish them. I was mortified, having rid myself of my youthful wordiness, to find that I'D LOST OVER 12,000 WORDS in each: WHILE THE MUSIC LASTS and GHOST MUSIC!!!
They're now far better-written - and much faster-paced - than they were when THE SUNDAY TIMES very kindly wrote, "The symphony orchestra becomes a universe - all human life is here."
Writers CAN improve with age and experience - at least, those writers who don't just churn out the same old, same old. Well done you!! XXAlice
Thank you, Alice. I'm not at the 12K-word clear yet...But I still am in the "what was I thinking" mode as I line edit. The story remains the same...just the expression of it.
Your writing always evokes a solid feeling of “being there in the moment.” I look forward to reading the updated versions.
Thank you. I want the reader to really "get" the character and, thus, why they act as they do. Part of that is atmosphere, part is meter, and part is inner and outer dialogue.
Great post! Loved the cover and excerpt! The new covers are so pretty!
Thank you. Volumes 1-6 are refreshed. In the midst of 7. Look forward to your reviews.