Going through edits always sets me to a simmer. A constant stream of bubbles filled with anticipation, expectation, and hope—and some dread, no matter how many times I’ve done it or how much I believe in my story—keeps me restless from the day I submit a manuscript to my editor to the day I begin my rewrites.
This time with Fangs and Fur, that simmer is kicking up to a boil because I’ve received the best of feedback. My insightful editor homed in on key issues with my pacing, and the proposed fix is this author’s favorite thing to hear: write more. No cut this, or eliminate the em-dashes that; write. More.
Of course, any time my editor has suggested a cut, he’s always been right. But still! This time he didn’t have to.
I couldn’t be giddier with excitement. A long time ago, when I first started learning how to write fiction, a mentor once told me that an author spends the first chunk of their career learning how to cut, then once they’ve grown their skills enough, they have to start adding again. Whether that’s true or not, I’m not sure, but it was memorable.
What fires me up is going back to the drafting board. This story gives me that tingly feeling that I’m onto something that works well for my style and my passions. I love this world so much, and I’m thrilled to spend more time there with the characters I adore.
Though I’m glowing, this choice to write more (because it is my choice even if my editor suggested it) impacts my expected publishing timeline, by a lot. The prequel and book 1 will be delayed, but I hope not by much. Book 2… well, I don’t want to give anything away, but let’s just say that the beta read-along readers got one crazy sneak peek!
The next two months will be pivotal in determining how fast I can get back on track. I don’t want to make promises I can’t keep when it comes to release dates, but I am determined to make the most out of these professional edits to give you, Toad, Dili, and Hadrian the story you all truly deserve.