It’s Easter! Happy Resurrection Sunday!
When I was a kid, they used to play this song on the radio called “The Second Time Around” by this group called Shalamar. I have no idea what that song is about, I just know the chorus where the lyrics are the song’s title. Now that I’ve reembarked on editing my short story that I wrote decades ago, that song came to mind. The only difference is, instead of this being my second time around, it’s more like the 22nd time I’ve attempted to edit my short story so that I can turn it into a self-published novella.
This weekend I started editing it again. I’m on page 11, so that’s where I’ll pick up from tomorrow. The last time I attempted to edit it I was highly critical of myself and really overwhelmed with feelings that the story wasn’t good. This time, it’s the total opposite. I’m back to thinking the story is really good again. This time I’m just editing for spelling, grammar, and continuity…at least to the best I can, because it’s hard to edit yourself. Though I must say, it’s a bit easier now that I’m so many years removed from when I first wrote this thing, or even the last time I read it. I think the last time I read it was maybe five years ago or so.
This time around, I’m coming up with a plan to complete the editing. I’m giving myself two weeks to finish the editing. That means it needs to be done by April 23rd. In the meantime, I’m also going to be looking for an editor. That’s right, I’m going to hire an editor. I’ll have to budget effectively to afford it, but I don’t think the costs will be too astronomical…at least I’m hoping it won’t be.
From what I‘ve read, an editor is crucial. If famous writers have them, so can I. I mean, I’d like to think that I don’t need an editor, that I can do it on my own, but I think having someone else also give it a once-over will be helpful. It never hurts to get a second pair of eyes. The trick is to get the right second pair of eyes. A second pair of eyes that will make a difference. Just a good editor. So that’s going to be the hard part.
To quote Whitney Houston “How will I know?” I mean, do I ask them to see their work? And if I do, what does that entail? Am I supposed to read an unedited book and then read the edited version? Perhaps they’ll have an excerpt with before and after editing. But would an excerpt be enough? These are the things that go through my mind regarding hiring an editor – not even just how much it’s going to cost me, but the quality of the work. So yeah, I don’t know if two weeks’ time is enough, but I’m trying to set aggressive goals just to challenge myself, and I don’t even know if that’s a smart thing to do, but the only way to find out is to try it out and see. Because sometimes I can lowball myself, so this two-week goal is a way to see if I’ve been lowballing myself in terms of what I can get done in a short period of time, or if I’ll need to give myself an extension.
I’m excited to start editing this story again. I was reading it earlier today and I got so wrapped up in it, I didn’t want to stop. I’m trying my best to really stay true to the story that I wrote all those years ago, true to the style of writing that I did back then that may be a little different from how I write now.
I’m happy I haven’t given up on this story, no matter how old it is. So many things for the past, should stay in the past, but some things are worth revisiting…time and time again if you have to – until you get it
right.
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