The next book!
I currently feel like a ‘proper’ author because I am now officially editing the next book, the one starring my sexy racing driver.
My editor (see, proper authors have editors) has sent through her eight pages of suggested changes for this, the first of three editing stages.
Eight pages, yes. And that’s on a book that when I submitted it, I thought was my best ever…
The thing is, I’ve worked with my lovely editor on two of my previous books (Too Opposites Attract and Search for the Truth) so I don’t feel daunted by her recommendations. I know if I follow them, the book will be better than it was before and that’s all the incentive I need to get stuck in.
So what sort of things does she pick out? The main one I always fall down on is description. If you’ve read my posts before, or read my books even, you’ll know I’m not a great one for settings. As a reader I always skip those parts – I’m far more interested in what the characters are saying or doing to each other than where they are. As a writer … yes, I’m far more interested in writing about what my characters are saying or doing, too. But of course I’m not only writing for me, I’m writing for others kind enough to buy my books so my editor is right, I need to help those who want to immerse themselves in the where, as well as the what and the why.
As I go through I’m trying to add in some Barcelona sparkle, a touch of Shanghai, a sprinkle of Silverstone, a dash of Spa in Belgium.
I’d like to give the reader a flavour of a Grand prix meeting, though of course the book is a romance, not a guide to motorsport (and yes, I did buy this book!)
Sadly I fear that though I’ve been lucky enough to attend two Grand Prix’s, nothing I can write will ever capture the thrill of seeing these incredible pieces of metal fly past you – and each other.
So, if you’re brave enough to read Over the Line (provisional title – I’m hoping we’ll come up with something better, any suggestions gratefully received!), remember this post when you read my two lines of description. They may not seem like much but unlike the rest of the book, which flew off the pages, these nuggets of descriptive detail have caused me considerable angst!