Herself and I talked yesterday and, as I expected, she pointed the way to make Miss Birdie's book much, much better. It will involve getting rid of one character -- the niece Louisa/Myrna Lou who was taking too much away from Birdie (as I think I mentioned some time back) and a secondary plot about a present day murder . Gone, baby, gone. There was just too much happening that distracted from the main story -- Birdie.
There is still plenty going on, trust me. And the material I cut will go into a file and possibly get used in another book. I'm excited and happy, believe it or not. I hung up the phone after our conversation and went immediately to work.
How long will it take me to do this revision? I hear someone groaning and the answer is that at this moment, I'm not sure. Once I get the book rearranged and see how much I've cut, I'll have a better idea.
The down side (covering head and ducking) is that the book probably won't come out till January of 2010. But, due to the fact that I was six months behind schedule getting in the first draft . . . well, they'd already shifted me to a later pub date.
I apologize to all of you -- but I think it's going to be worth it.
8 comments:
That's fine Vicki.....it will be worth the wait....and we all will be here waiting!
I realy appreciate the way you "model" working with your editor. You aren't angry or afraid--you're genuinely happy for the good input. Tells us volumes about you, too.
And think of that tricksy day when you pull that character or scenario out of the file and think
--ah, this is where that goes!
Your books are such a wonderful treat. Believe me, they are well worth waiting for.
It is fascinating to hear about it all, from the beginnings of the main plot, to the ideas for scenes, to marathon writing sessions, and finally to the “dreaded” editing part. Thank you so much for allowing us to vicariously live through the different processes of making of a book.
Sue McC
It's no big deal -- I know that my editor is one of the very best in the business and I know that every change she's ever suggested has been for the best. I also know that I still have lots to learn.
Thanks to all of you for your support!
It's no big deal -- I know that my editor is one of the very best in the business and I know that every change she's ever suggested has been for the best. I also know that I still have lots to learn.
Thanks to all of you for your support!
It sounds like you and Herself have a great working relationship. I'm really looking forward to the finely honed final product!
Vicki, have you read the Elliot Wiggington book Aunt Arie? I got it from the library, and liked it so much I had to buy my own copy.
Sigh. Will just have to satisfy myself with following your excellent blog.
Phyllis -- I will have to look for the Aunt Arie book -- I remember reading about her in the FOXFIRE books.
Thanks, Marta -- yeah, with this long hiatus, at least you all can get a sense of how it's going!
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