Love this! I'm a mess when it comes to editing. I have so many half drafts and I tend to edit as I go, so I know how to carry the scene, dialogue forward. But I get hung up on micro editing. Drafts never get completed. I've done so many revisions to my current debut, that I feel lost at times. But I'm determined to see it through this year!
Angela, I so get that lost feeling! And all of us writers have our own process, but I do love 'trying on' the process of other writers to see if it shifts something for me. I have a post it note that says 'FORWARD, FORWARD, FINISH!' on my window - advice from a fellow writer - that helps me get to 'an end' of a draft so I can see what I have before I start to play. Wishing you so much good luck as you get through this draft this year so you can see what you have to play with! K x
This came up on my weekly stack, and being in the throws of a structural edit, started to read it. Beautifully written, as it is, I kept reading, and then came to a pic of you, Kylie and Kate, and thought, What? Scrolled up and saw it was your post. Of course, it's beautifully written, and spot on insights and tips! Thanks Kate.
Excellent post Kate. I know I'll appreciate your book all the more knowing this sort of detail about how it's come together. I took your advice about Michelle de Kretser too. Somehow I had missed that episode, and I'm grateful to you for the encouragement to listen to it... not just for the story about her dog, but also Michelle's comments on confidence, fragility and the recommended reads.
Oh I'm so glad you listened to that de Kretser interview and got so much out of it, Juliet. I love that the pod archive sits there full of great insights for people to still find! thank you for reading xx
I love your process and now reading your work, it's a wonderful insight you've shared here, thank you. I can be out running and I'll send myself text messages and voice memos also.
Congratulations Kate, an incredible achievement, I hope you are holding on to the highs and have all your family around you when you come back down. While I’m not writing a novel, so may of your suggestions resonated with smaller writing goals. All the best and I hope you are getting some good nights of rest now that it’s in, for now. Cheers, Kate
Well done, Kate! I was cheering you on via insta although slightly concerned at your 2:31am wakefulness. Whatever works, hey? I'm in a structural edit too after a bit of a 'pivot' so I'm heeding your advice. It's true what you say though; when the threads come together to tie in a neat bow? Well, there's nothing like it x
I too was concerned Jodi!! But a dear friend reminded me that I might as well get up and get the churning out of the brain rather than lie there churning it anyway! GO go go with your edit, sending so much love and good luck xxx
I'm currently in this phase and about to exit hermit-mode...it's a bit scary for me to start engaging other people in the full-book feedback process. But hearing how essential it has been for you makes it easier. Thank you for sharing your process so openly - this is really helpful for a first time novel writer like me!
Oh good luck as you go forward!! Yes - it’s scary to share but so useful. Choose someone you trust will be honest but who understands where you are in the process! Always helps to ask them to look at particular things, is this part of the plot working? Did you understand this character’s motivations? Etc. good luck! And thank you for sharing x
Love this! I'm a mess when it comes to editing. I have so many half drafts and I tend to edit as I go, so I know how to carry the scene, dialogue forward. But I get hung up on micro editing. Drafts never get completed. I've done so many revisions to my current debut, that I feel lost at times. But I'm determined to see it through this year!
Angela, I so get that lost feeling! And all of us writers have our own process, but I do love 'trying on' the process of other writers to see if it shifts something for me. I have a post it note that says 'FORWARD, FORWARD, FINISH!' on my window - advice from a fellow writer - that helps me get to 'an end' of a draft so I can see what I have before I start to play. Wishing you so much good luck as you get through this draft this year so you can see what you have to play with! K x
Thank you! So appreciate it! It’s been a long journey, but forward I go!
Thanks for sharing so generously, Kate. A timely read for me.
I'm so glad, Barbara! Good luck!
This came up on my weekly stack, and being in the throws of a structural edit, started to read it. Beautifully written, as it is, I kept reading, and then came to a pic of you, Kylie and Kate, and thought, What? Scrolled up and saw it was your post. Of course, it's beautifully written, and spot on insights and tips! Thanks Kate.
Good luck with your structural edit dear Amanda! Thank you for these kind words x
Excellent post Kate. I know I'll appreciate your book all the more knowing this sort of detail about how it's come together. I took your advice about Michelle de Kretser too. Somehow I had missed that episode, and I'm grateful to you for the encouragement to listen to it... not just for the story about her dog, but also Michelle's comments on confidence, fragility and the recommended reads.
Oh I'm so glad you listened to that de Kretser interview and got so much out of it, Juliet. I love that the pod archive sits there full of great insights for people to still find! thank you for reading xx
Oh gosh this is so great, Kate! Incredible detail about the process - the way you write about writing is superb. Can't wait to read this book.
Thank you, dear Cassie! xx
Love this Kate. Great insights as usual!
thanks Meg!
Brilliant Kate. Your energy to even write this on the back of completing the manuscript is inspiring.
And perfect timing here, on the back of heading to Varuna next week. Just what I needed.
And thanks for the reminder to take George with me.
And BIG FRICKEN YAY at pressing send. Take care. A
Yay for Varuna time dear Anne! So glad this was timed well for you and thank you for your kind words. Enjoy the magic of Varuna! x
I love your process and now reading your work, it's a wonderful insight you've shared here, thank you. I can be out running and I'll send myself text messages and voice memos also.
Love that Anita! Yes the ideas that come while we are moving our bodies - love it! Thank you for your beautiful words xx
Swallowed every damn word of this! Your energy is infectious and I’m so excited that you leapt over this latest hurdle with gusto xx
Thank you glorious one, right back at you with infectious energy! xxx
Congratulations Kate, an incredible achievement, I hope you are holding on to the highs and have all your family around you when you come back down. While I’m not writing a novel, so may of your suggestions resonated with smaller writing goals. All the best and I hope you are getting some good nights of rest now that it’s in, for now. Cheers, Kate
Thank you dear Kate xx So glad some of that resonated xx And yes - the sleep has been DIVINE! xx
Well done, Kate! I was cheering you on via insta although slightly concerned at your 2:31am wakefulness. Whatever works, hey? I'm in a structural edit too after a bit of a 'pivot' so I'm heeding your advice. It's true what you say though; when the threads come together to tie in a neat bow? Well, there's nothing like it x
I too was concerned Jodi!! But a dear friend reminded me that I might as well get up and get the churning out of the brain rather than lie there churning it anyway! GO go go with your edit, sending so much love and good luck xxx
I'm currently in this phase and about to exit hermit-mode...it's a bit scary for me to start engaging other people in the full-book feedback process. But hearing how essential it has been for you makes it easier. Thank you for sharing your process so openly - this is really helpful for a first time novel writer like me!
Oh good luck as you go forward!! Yes - it’s scary to share but so useful. Choose someone you trust will be honest but who understands where you are in the process! Always helps to ask them to look at particular things, is this part of the plot working? Did you understand this character’s motivations? Etc. good luck! And thank you for sharing x
Thank you so much, excellent advice! Loving your posts x
Love this post. I'm going to dig it out when I begin my edit!
Yay! Good luck with the edit! X
On my last 15 pages of a HUGE structural and this landed at the perfect time! 🙏
Oh Kay! Sending love, that’s massive!!! Enjoy the end!! Congratulations! Can’t wait to read xxx