I'm Editing

I’m at the scary part of my latest manuscript. I’ve written the first draft, added in most of the plot points I wanted to add and now, I’m doing my last run through before I submit it to my editor. This is the part of the process where I find out if my idea “worked.”

I’m not a plotter, and I’m a linear writer, so I don’t start editing until I get to “The End.” It’s when I go back through the manuscript that I find all the plot holes—things I mentioned once and forgot about, things I mistakenly changed halfway through, things that just don’t make sense because the idea and the character’s development don’t mesh.

Having done this long enough—I’ve been writing for twenty years (although really, for my entire life)—I know it’s all going to work out. The same problems and doubts creep in with every manuscript. But this is one of those times where I wonder whether or not this book is any good, and every mistake I find makes me think about a career change. Is there still time for me to pivot to marine biologist?

But this is also the time where I find myself nodding as I weave motivation throughout the story, tighten areas that need to be tightened, sprinkle in the “aha” moments for the reader, and generally just make all the words I’ve vomited onto the page come together in some semblance of an order.

I know that by the time I have to turn in my manuscript to my editor, I’ll have fixed ninety-nine percent of the issues. She’ll point out anything major I’ve missed, her editorial team will make sure names and eye color remain consistent, and by the end, I’ll be proud of the result. I just have to trust the process and not get derailed by the doubts.

Any other writers feel this way? Any readers have similar experiences in their lives?