Stage 1: Editing ‘Seeking the Dark’

Seeking the Dark was written quite a few years ago when my editing skills and understanding of what I needed to look for when revising my work was lacking. In 2012, I decided to invest in having my novel looked at by a professional as I hoped it would give me an insight into my strength and weaknesses after having quite few rejections on my novel. So I sent it to Debz who critiqued Seeking the Dark and sent me a detailed report. I read it and followed her advice. Though at that time I didn’t fully understand everything she had explained to me.

This morning I pulled out Debz’s report, and read it again, lo and behold it makes far more sense now. Last year for eight months, I worked one to one with another editor on my crime novel, Stone Angels. Kim lives in New Zealand, but with the wonderful of the internet we were able the email and message each other. If I didn’t understand anything she was able to explain, and give me pointers. Eight months of intense editing on my novel didn’t bring the results we both hoped for, but I learnt a lot about editing.

As I work through Seeking the Dark I’m already find area where I can delete, rewrite, and revise to make the novel stronger. In Debz’ report she asks lots of questions I now see I didn’t resolve. Once I’ve gone through the whole novel and cut away anything that not needed, I can start focusing on areas that will give strength and depth to the plot line.

I’m so excited to be working with Dean of Black Hare Press . I want to make sure I can deliver an excellent well-edited novel to him. Of course, Amanita wants me to bring out her finer assets, so the readers understand her darker side so much more clearer and precise. 😈