Joy in Editing

Published by

Mariella Hunt

September 27, 2022

I had forgotten that editing can be fun.

Once I’ve moved past the stinking mess that is a first draft, edits & rewrites become puzzles–very personalized puzzles.

When adding new scenes, I’m figuring out what the story lacks; I’m filling gaps for character development, making conversations meaningful, using words to increase tension.

When adding/removing words and sentences, it’s much like mixing watercolors. If I want to achieve the desired tone, if I wish for prose that I will like, I don’t mind rearranging phrases over–and over–and over.

Not a real cover, just a mock-up, but isn’t it pretty?

Of the 58k that makes up this draft, I’ve edited about 30k. A beta reader has looked at the opening and reassured me it’s worth continuing in this direction.

Editing tends to be a writer’s nightmare. If it’s a story I like, I always enjoy the process. I’m optimistic that I can have a sparkling novel (and prequel, with MERMAID) by the end of the year.

Thank you for following me on this journey!

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2 responses to “Joy in Editing”

Raina Nightingale

September 27, 2022

That’s neat!

For me, I mostly consider editing to be fixing typo and grammar mistakes that it’s easy for me to miss, so it’s a tedious chore I don’t enjoy and sometimes can’t even do because of my dyslexia. This kind of editing? I do most of it in the original draft, working the paragraphs and phrases to have *just the feel I want*. It’s how I always approached writing, so it’s natural to me – I only heard of writing another way much later! And I don’t think in language, so that isn’t a distraction from making everything, the rhythm and the flow and everything else, part of how I’m telling the story.

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1. Mariella Hunt
  
  September 30, 2022
  
  It’s fascinating to learn of the different ways people write and edit. As a skill & hobby there are so many ways to go about it! Thanks for the comment x
  
  Reply

I’m Mariella

Welcome to my cozy corner of the internet. This blog will be dedicated to all things books and reading, which happen to be my obsessions. Note the faint scent of coffee in the air; coffee is a must for me.

I will be sharing book reviews for reads that I enjoy. I’ll also be posting updates about my life as an indie author. Since I’m exploring the classics, expect the occasional poem or short piece as I experiment.

For centuries, land-bound descendants of Merpeople have been confined to hidden districts. Read The Sea Rose and sequel The Sea King if you wish to read their stories.