Eating elephants

My manuscript is an elephant. But how do you eat a whole one? One bite at a time. That’s how I’m trying to look at my editing. The Yeovil Prize deadline was on me and I got the first 14,000 words edited to a level I felt comfortable with. But now I’ve got this edifice of grey to tackle and my neck is hurting looking up at it. One bite at a time – but where’s the spoon?

Short list

Timescales on competitions being what they are, I forgot I’d made the UKAuthors Opening Pages Competition long list. An email last week congratulating me on getting through to the short list threw me into a right tizz; not least because they wanted the whole manuscript in a few days. I’m delighted as this is a personal best and a welcome boost.

By George - I've got it!

Theme that is. I now know my theme or premise as some like to call it, is - challenging authority leads to alienation, with the addendum, but the result is a stronger person. I wonder how many people realize the importance of theme? It's certainly glossed over in most self help books. I shall find out and get back to you.

Editing post Cornwall

Post Cornwall, I'm editing the Deluge again to put in theme, symbols and other things I have subsequently learned. Thanks Bosorne Books in St Just for the self help books and sorry for clearing you out of them!