Kit Kat Break

I should qualify that though I say I’m writing a novel, the fact is I’ve completed a first draft. Yes, yes, thank you, thank you.  But I can’t help but feel that now comes the really hard part. The editing, re-writing and marketing (ahem). Already I’m thinking of plot points that need amending, characters I need to tweak. I guess I could give a part away and note that it’s really two stories in one, part set in modern London during the credit crunch, and part during WWII. So I’m re-working part of the historical fiction element and the problem is then making sure I’m consistent throughout the novel. Forgetting a point made on page 50 that’s relevant to page 250, etc. etc.. I get plot amnesia, not surprising I suppose bearing in mind it has taken me almost two years to finish it (I feel I should qualify in my defense, a 3 yr old and new baby take most of the credit for this.) I’ve heard before from a tailor, that actually it can prove more difficult to tailor an item of clothing than to design from scratch, to work with what is already there, the given outline without sullying the integrity of the original design. Sometimes it’s easier just to start from scratch. I get that. It’s an apt metaphor for editing, or self-editing I should say, which is what I’m doing now before I take the plunge for an actual professional to review. I’m having to work with what I already have, making sure the whole thing still gels. Then there is the other school of thought espoused by author and publishing blogger, Joanna Penn, (whose site www.thecreativepenn.com is quickly becoming my go-to source for everything from writing, blogging, editing, publishing and marketing) who wisely puts it, ’you can’t edit a blank page but once those words are down, you can improve on them.’ Good, sounds easy enough. Worryingly, however she also stresses expect the re-writing and editing process to take as long as the first draft. Yikes! This could be awhile. Right, best get cracking… or a Kit Kat break… Kit Kat break.