The Lonely Whelk: Editing Has Begun

Everyone has a slightly different editing process when they go through their rough drafts. I know people who write everything out by hand and then type it as a way of processing; others might read it out loud to themselves. I do what I like to call "putting my editor hat on;" in other words, I am doing for myself what I would do for any friend or writer's group member: track changes! I thought I would share a few of the comments I have begun to leave for myself, just in case you want to try to guess what my next book is about. :)

• This is too obvious. You’re clearly trying too hard. Perhaps you should cut this paragraph out, and use the story at the end when [spoiler].
• Run away; play along in case she’s insane - rock
• Rewrite this section. Hazel would have a less… suspicious response. This is probably something she’s thought about a lot before. She should be better prepared.
• Rewrite through here at least.
• How will I get home?
• Men tend to be less afraid of strange women than women are of strange men.
• Not probably a good reaction. FIX! FIX!
• You should decide what kind of drunk he is, and then make him follow that stereotype.
• Okay, so we need to do some serious work on Maddy's personality here and everywhere, really.
• Got hit in an asteroid belt.
• hahahaha
• And suddenly he’s not drunk any more. Either he is or he isn't. Make up your mind, yo!
• Now he is again…
• Ummm… no.
• What does this even mean?
• Pick something less game-y
• Enough with the ‘cute’ already!
• Too much drama. Give Rupert a less irritating character.
• This description could be way more awesome. Get your game on, Ariele!
• Etc.

Next steps: Go through each note as an action item and get my "writer's hat" on.

And since this book is about a lonely whelk, I give you this: