A couple of weeks ago I talked about the benefit of a good edit. At the moment I’m editing a book I revived which I wrote about 4 years ago. I love this book, I love the characters and the plot is quite clever, but it needs a lot of work. In fact, it needs so much work that  I’m finding it all a bit overwhelming.

I’ve done one pass through the manuscript and there’s now red pen all over the place. I’m concerned that I’ve spotted inconsistencies and holes which I now have to plug up. I’m now working on the second pass, working out a scene plan to make sure it’s all in the right order and nothing is missing. I’m struggling with remembering what order things go in because the work has been somewhat sporadic. I may have to move scenes around as well as making corrections and this feels like a lot of work.

This is preventing me from just getting started. Once again my demon is back and is now saying ‘oh but this is all too much and Midsomer Murders is on the telly tonight. You’d better just watch that because you’ll never sort out this mess’.

InsecureWritersSupportGroupHowever I know the demon is wrong. As I said I love that book and really want to publish it so I know I will be able to sort it out, no matter how big a mess it is. I’ve had some positive feedback from people who have read it, but I’m still free to rewrite and move things around as much as I want. Yes it may be difficult and it may be tiring but I’m going to do it, so take that Mr Demon!

 I’m still very much an insecure writer, a card carrying member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, desperate for some support when times are tough – do you have any advice or tips on editing? Please share any confidence boosting words in the comments section below.