Well, I’ve finished editing the first draft of Hoarding Your Howls a few weeks ago and now I’m back editing the second draft. I had a few fruity drinks and read a few great books–both adult and young adult. But now my imaginary beach vacation is over and now its back to work. I’ve had two weeks to “forget” about the words and come back fresh.
The first draft was…an experience if one could kindly use those words. It’s amazing how the editing process is so different when you have an editor at a publishing house on the helm. There are so many things I miss or I could do better. I spent one hour once analyzing what she changed. Almost like I had to learn what my writing kryptonite was. The most interesting thing though was that I tend to hold back description and things since I don’t want to slow down the pacing. I mean, who wants to spend a few years plowing through a long and drawn out description of the landscape of New Jersey? 😀
Besides editing, I’m slowly, and I mean slowly, working on my futuristic young adult book. When I first thought of this book, I saw scenes from Blade Runner. (If you haven’t seen that movie… Wow, you need to get the hook up from Blockbuster or Netflix! Stat!) I wanted the cities to be dark and have flashing ad screens like the movie. The whole process has been agonizingly slow, but like I’ve heard other authors say, it’s not a race to finish a book. I’m competing with myself and my personal goal is to finish this book before I need to start writing the second book for Hoarding Your Howls. I have time, but it’s easier to assume I don’t have time so I will be productive. 😉 Overall, the voice for this book requires for me to write slowly. I just can’t rush it for some reason. It just flows differently than my other books.
Hopefully, I hear soon about the new title for HYH and additional cool stuff like a hard set release month. Woo hoo!