That Final Edit

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Progress
That final stage in progress.

The title to this post is, of course, a show of blatant optimism, since I have completed my personal final edit, but the publisher’s team, kept locked in his basement, will undoubtedly come back with more.

However, it is a milestone to celebrate.

The MS ran to 79,079 words when I passed it to my beta readers (you can read the post about that penultimate stage here). Often beta readers will produce varying accounts, some of which will be contradictory. It’s up to you, the creator of the piece, to determine which suggestions you take forward and which you, sensitively, reject (sensitively, because your beta readers are a precious resource and it does no good to upset them).

The final MS now totals 81,437 words, but that includes the dedication, acknowledgements, and that modern essential, the ‘end matter’. Some of their suggestions involved minor grammatical changes, some prompted small restructures, and a couple, quite unintentionally, had me adding and subtracting text, as they sparked new ideas.

The book is a work of fiction. It’s set 10 years from now but takes place in real places, except, for reasons that will become clear when you read the book, one location is a creative interpretation of a real place. So, I feel a map will be of help to readers. I started drawing that today and should finish it later, before I send the whole lot to my publisher and await the outcome. Unusually for me, I’ve a clear idea for the cover. There’s time for me to render that as an illustration, so I’ll spend a few days putting it together and then send that on, too. My publisher, a great guy to work with, will have his own ideas, and his own cover artists, but he’ll consider my suggestions.

I’m not revealing the title yet, nor the synopsis. All I’ll say at this point is the story stars a remarkable young woman and five other disparate individuals tossed together under unusual circumstances in isolation during a time of great turmoil.

Have I whetted your appetite? Best way to follow the progress is to follow this blog, which you can do by leaving your email address at the short form that appears when you click on the small blue band, top right, ‘W Follow Stuart Aken’. Neither I nor WordPress will spam you, but you’ll receive a short notification each time I post here.

I don’t know what happens with other writers, but for me writing a novel is pretty much all-consuming. It means everything else takes second place. At least now I’ll be able to do all those other things, creative, and otherwise, that I’ve been promising myself, and others, since I started the novel in January!

14 thoughts on “That Final Edit”

  2. Tom Austin

    You definitely have piqued my curiosity. I read what you put in your most recent post “That Final Edit” and I really want to know more. I gather from earlier posts it’s a sci-fi novel, 5 people are involved, that I may need a map of some sort. But other than that not much else. I’d offer to review it but I suspect it’s a wee bit early to make that offer. But before I carry on with this post I want to get this off my chest. You, Stuart Akin, are a master of literary torture. You leave little, almost microscopic clues about, then you sit back while others try, mostly in vain, to fill in larger pieces of information hoping they are right. Damn you Akin, have you ever worked in the Tower of London?!!!!

    You’re now sitting back in your chair, cradling your head wondering if you should relate what I’ve written to Val. Go for it. By all means, tell her. I just hope you tell her a lot more than you told us because now I really want to read this novel/WIP.

    Good luck with the new book Stuart.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks for entertaining me, Tom. I did read out your comment to Valerie, who unsurprisingly told me I’m terrible. I intend to continue in that vein, however, untroubled by rational criticisms and pleas for further information. I have the power! HaHaHa, I am in control…Oops, I’ve just remembered I haven’t sent it to my publisher yet. He might chuck it back. Then I’ll look really silly. No matter, on with the work. That map’s not going to wait for ever,.
      By the way, this one isn’t really scifi – although it is set in the future. I’ll let you into a little secret, though. There’s an environmental aspect. That’s it. That’s all you’re getting for now!

      Liked by 1 person

        1. They do, Mick. Especially if they’re character-driven. Those players will insist on having their say! Good luck with the novel. Let us know when it’s finished.

          Liked by 1 person

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