revision

Notes from Deep Inside a Book Revision

This post was originally sent through my author newsletter on April 28th, 2023. To subscribe to my newsletter and receive up-to-date news, musings, and more, click HERE.

I've been submerged in book revisions. Or, as my husband who works in tech calls it, I've been "heads-down." 

This is for the first book on my write-for-hire contract, and I knew from the start that the turnaround times would be quick. I submitted my first draft on March 27th, and my editor was hoping to have the manuscript completely finalized by the end of April! I received her notes, along with the client's, a little over a week ago, and dove right in. 

What kind of edits are we talking about? One secondary plotline is being removed (and possibly saved for a future book). Another plotline is being enhanced slightly to take its place. A few characters' details (age, interests, backstory) are changing. I'm strengthening and sharpening the friendship dynamics in the story. None of this is overwhelming—but as I said, the timeline is tight. 

I've never completed a book under contract, from writing early sample chapters to polishing the final manuscript, this fast. In fact, in my experience, months can pass between sending in a draft and receiving notes from the editor. Also, I'm used to a process that has three revisions: the first draft gets global, structural notes, the second draft is more about refining arcs and characters, and the third draft is where line editing happens. Perhaps because we spent so much time up front on the synopsis and character sketches, this time, most of that draft-one work was done before I wrote the actual draft. The edits I'm working on now feel like second-draft edits, with a bit of line editing thrown in. 

There are pros and cons to working this way. On the plus side, I am deep in the headspace of this book. Because I'd just turned in my first draft, when I received my edits, I was able to jump straight back in. It can take longer to find your way into the story after a lengthier break. But at the same time, those breaks between drafts can enable you to see what's in front of you with clearer eyes. You're almost like a fresh reader. What's not working—and what is—comes into focus. 

The other interesting thing about these edits is that I am working as a contractor: the creative vision is not mine alone. There are a few choices being made that I would not have chosen. This DOES NOT mean I think they are bad choices! They're just not the way my instinct would naturally guide me. Every writer—every creator—is different, and this write-for-hire process involves being open to others' opinions and preferences. There is a lot of me in this project, but it's not entirely mine. 

I'm heading to the New England Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators annual conference this weekend. I'll be presenting two professional workshops, along with two friends: a session on successful school visits with Janae Marks and a session on co-writing a book with my Thirteenth Circle coauthor, MarcyKate Connolly. When I'm not presenting, I'm planning to attend other workshops...but I'll also be spending time in my hotel room, heads-down in book revisions. My goal is to get the manuscript back in my editor's hands by Monday or Tuesday. 

Then, in another few weeks, I'll probably start working on book two! 

Tight deadlines can be difficult, but most of the time, I'd rather be writing than waiting. (This is why you'll often find me playing around with new ideas in between drafts of books that are further along...) Give me something to work on, a way to make forward progress, and I am a happy writer. 

(Though I will be glad to come up for air next week!) 

~Kathryn 

What I'm: 

Reading: the third Thursday Murder Club book, The Bullet That Missed. I love this series about a set of octogenarian crime-solvers living in a British retirement community. What are your favorite cozy mysteries? 

Listening to: My kiddo's new favorite song is Katy Perry's "Roar." She asks to listen to it over...and over...and over. I think it may have taken up permanent residence in my head. Luckily, it's pretty cute when she sings along at the top of her lungs...

Loving: Spring weather. Here's my girl in one of her new spring dresses, showing off her arabesque. Look at those straight knees, that pointed toe! 

The Momentum of Revision

This post was originally sent through my author newsletter on November 11th, 2022. To subscribe to my newsletter and receive up-to-date news, musings, and more, click HERE.

Do you remember, a few weeks ago, when I mentioned diving back into an old manuscript with fresh eyes and a fresh sense of purpose? (It was in this newsletter/post...) Well, this week, I got to the end of my latest revision pass. That doesn't mean I'm done; I'm still wrestling with one of my friend's notes, in particular. But I did get all the way to the last page.

One of the best feelings in the revision process is when the momentum builds. For me, starting a round of edits—especially when I've been away from a manuscript for a while—is like wading into the ocean. The water is cold. The sand is rocky and shifts underfoot. I have to acclimate to it...and then at a certain point, I have to make the choice to fully immerse myself, which is almost always a shock.

But there's always a point where I hit my stride. Where I feel a sense of momentum. It's almost like the story is telling itself, and I'm just along for the ride. I don't want to leave my computer. I have to get to the end.

That was me, this week, with this book.

It's a story I love: a lightly magical middle-grade with a mystery to solve, complex family history and dynamics (including parental illness), and a former friend–turned–first crush. It's about the weight of expectations and the desire to prove oneself. It's about mamas and daughters and sisters. It's also about writing fiction, and about the ways real life is inevitably messier than stories.

I've been working on this book in some form since 2015, when I started a brainstorming document about a YA mother-daughter story. It remained a YA novel until 2018, when I had a new magical MG idea. I realized one day that the magic element in the MG story solved a major issue in the YA book, and so I merged the two ideas into a new MG story. Interweaving them was difficult. It took until February 2020 to have a finished draft to send to friends for feedback.

We all know what happened in March 2020.

But eventually I did get those friends' feedback, and I did edits. And then I showed the book to my agent...and made more revisions, based on her comments. And then I showed it to another friend, who gave me more notes.

That's how it is sometimes. This book is a juggling act, but I am convinced I can find a way to keep each and every ball in the air. With every revision, the story becomes more real, more right, more true.

But back to the idea of momentum. At the start of a revision, I might spend all of my writing time for a day on half of chapter 1. Then the next day, I'll reread that first half and finish the chapter. On day three, I'll reread chapter 1 and tiptoe into chapter 2. And then on day four, I'll reread chapters 1 and 2 and poke my head into chapter 3. That whole time, I'm searching for the voice. Sensing the pacing. Reminding myself how to tell this particular story.

It's a slow build...until one day, it isn't.

There always comes a day when I don't have to look backward in order to move forward. And then there's a moment where I can't look back—I'm desperate to forge ahead. I'm on a roller-coaster heading for the final drop. I'm as much reader as writer, experiencing each twist and turn as if it didn't come out of my own imagination.

So anyway, this week, I got to this manuscript's last page. What happens next?

I do still have one more issue to tackle, as I said. This book has some interstitial chapters: family journal entries as well as some of the main character's own writings. I've tried a couple different things for these short chapters, but they still aren't doing what I want them to do. I like them, on their own...but they haven't justified their presence in the story.

I'll figure it out. And then, who knows? (Literally, who knows? I'm not sure if I am even allowed to try to sell another middle-grade novel while The Thirteenth Circle is in production—and MarcyKate and I plan to propose more books in that series!) For now, I am enjoying the rush that being in the revision zone brings. Making a manuscript better is a thrill and a joy.

It is immensely satisfying.

I hope you're experiencing the same satisfaction, whatever you've been working on this week!

~Kathryn

What I'm:

Reading: While my daughter was sick, I started Harrow the Ninth, the sequel to Gideon the Ninth. The Locked Tomb series is YA sci-fi/fantasy set in a distant future in which humanity has conquered death...but not without certain costs. Harrow picks up where Gideon left off—sort of. It also flashes back to Gideon's events, from a different point of view, and they're wrong. (Wrong enough that I questioned my memory of book 1, went to Wikipedia just to make sure, and without spoiling myself too much, saw that yes, the events have changed...) These books are fun, challenging, a bit gross, and at times harrowing (pun absolutely intended). The voice is like nothing else I've read in YA. They're not for everyone, but I am eager to read book 3...

Watching: Goodness, "Andor" continues to be amazing! This week's episode was edge-of-your-seat tense and beautifully acted. Otherwise, while kiddo was sick, my husband and I watched season 12 of "Taskmaster," the UK series where comedians and TV personalities are asked to perform a series of utterly ridiculous tasks, for points and (equally ridiculous) prizes. A lot of the seasons are on YouTube, if you need some silliness in your life!

Eating: Last Saturday (11/5) was our anniversary, and as my husband and I were stuck at home with a feverish child, plans cancelled...I ordered a whole cake via DoorDash. I highly recommend working your way through an entire chocolate cake over the course of a week!

Loving: The kiddo has lately become interested in the planets. On Wednesday, my dad called to tell me/her that Saturn was visible in the night sky, the closest it would come to Earth for years. It was a clear night, so we stepped outside to check it out! Here's my daughter making "heart-hands" at Saturn—that yellow speck visible between the tree and the building—which she immediately declared her favorite planet.