
I’ve finally finished the stage of adding contemporaneous events to the storyline. Rendering such happenings in a way that allows them to integrate seamlessly with the story, rather than appear as mere markers in time, isn’t easy, but I believe I’ve managed it.
Now I need to begin the slightly more tedious technical edit to spot repetitions. This includes the overuse of certain words as well as the mentioning of specific attitudes from characters and particular parts of their lives. It’s quite easy, when creating as a pantster, to repeat oneself during initial story telling. That’s why editing is an essential aspect of the craft for those of us who write in this free-falling style.
This technical aspect of the process should be relatively straightforward, if somewhat less interesting than character building and story narration. But it’s an essential step on the road toward publication, of course.
The MS stands at 304 pages, 130,480 words at present, and I’m expecting the new edit will reduce those numbers. By how much remains to be seen!
I’m always interested in how my readers feel about all aspects of my published work. You’re sincerely invited to make comments, have your say here on the website. I could learn a lot from those who do me the honour of reading my work, so please don’t be shy. Go ahead, let me know what you think.
As an aside, I’m considering producing a monthly newsletter for those of you who follow this website, and I’d love to know how you all feel about that, too.


I hope the editing is coming along well. Take any interesting hikes lately?
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It’s going reasonably well, Noelle. Fortunately, it’s part of the process of storytelling I enjoy, so not too much of a task.
Other things have been getting in the way of our more adventurous walks, so mostly just our ‘constitutional’, which is at least in the forest, so no complaints. Hope you’re fine.
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Other than a lingering cold and not enough exercise, I’m doing well. The pools are opening up, so I can walk, swim and do aerobics to get my creaky self in better shape. I miss the photos from your walks!
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Good to know you can keep active, Noelle. I wish we had a pool nearer, as I would like to swim more frequently.
Re the photos, are you on FaceBook? I publish one a day on there if you want to visit it.
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I am on Facebook – I’ll friend you there!
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The link to the right at the top of the post will take you to my Author page, Noelle. But you need my personal page to friend me and see the photos. I’m on FB under the same name as I write under.
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I am on Facebook, Stuart!
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Yes. I see you’ve followed my author page, Noelle. But if you want to see the daily pictures, you’ll need to ‘friend’ me here: https://www.facebook.com/stuart.k.allison/
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Done!
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And now added as a friend there!
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I ALWAYS LIKE TO KEEP UP WITH THOSE THAT I FOLLOW, SO YOUR NEWSLETTER WILL BE WELCOME. IGNORE THE CAPS IN THIS MESSAGE, THIS DAMN PHONE ANNOYS ME SOMETIMES!
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Thank you, secretlydonut.
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I would be interested in a newsletter, Stuart.
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Thank you, Lynette.
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