Hard Stuff

Man, this is hard stuff.

I have learned so much in the past month. I have gotten so many tips. I have done so many exercises. And so I am slogging away at my manuscript. I’m on page 162 of a whittled down 237 (single spaced. I’ve managed to cut a whole 7 pages in this edit).

And it’s hard. This is probably the hardest edit to date. I am trying to make it absolutely the greatest, tightest, most meaningful, consistent, purposeful thing. I’m trying to maintain tone, style, and sound. I’m trying to cut excess. Every line needs a purpose. Every line its best. Every comparison true to the main character. Every beginning and end hooking the reader. Every paragraph driving the work forward. Every character true to themselves and their way of speaking. I’m setting the scene. I’m making it come alive to the senses. (Ah crap, I forgot about smell.) I’m being elusive. I’m leaving room for the reader to make the text their own.

I’m exhausted.

I think I’ll go be a singer. It looks easier. Well, except for the whole singing in tone and pitch and all that. Oh and I can’t read music. But that shouldn’t be a problem. I know how to dye my hair and swear. I can snarl too. Look out ACDC, here I come.