Tags
author, editing, financial crime, plotting, police, Regency, research, Samuel Plank, Susan Grossey, writing
Well, that was a much simpler day – I suspect because I was editing chapters that I have written more recently, and so I liked/disliked them the same as I did when I wrote them. Again, I found a few daft errors – a bootmaker morphing into a bookmaker in the course of a few paragraphs, and the accidental knighting of a character – but on the whole it seemed to work well.
I have now – big gulp – sent out a beta reader version to someone, and will spend the next few weeks on tenterhooks. I have asked him three main questions:
- Is it exciting enough to make you want to carry on reading?
- Is the outcome enough of a surprise – or had you worked it long before the end? (It’s so hard for me to try to judge whether it is suspenseful, as I know what’s coming!)
- Is the title right for the book?
I will try very hard not take it personally if he doesn’t like it… But truthfully, I think there are some good bits in there, and if he thinks the plot hangs together well, that will be my main worry assuaged.
Incidentally, as this is the second in what I hope will be a long series, I found myself battling something I had not anticipated: my own poor memory. On several occasions I had to refer back to “Fatal Forgery” to make sure that I wasn’t contradicting something I had said there. Years ago I remember reading a fascinating article about the meticulous record-keeping behind such telly series as “Coronation Street” and “Dallas” – not just the major plot points, but things like people’s birthdays, and if their favourite food or colours had ever been mentioned. I’m not daring to dream of that sort of longevity for Plank… or am I?!
Susan Grossey 
Dear Susan
Having followed you across from your ever excellent AML blog, I’m excited to have caught up with the latest progress on “Plank 2”. October 20th is now highlighted in my calendar so that I can be amongst the first to read about his new adventures !!
It’s been really interesting to hear and learn more about the writing and editing process. It’s so easy to forget about all the time, effort and research that goes into such a book, and to realise that it is very difficult for you to self assess as to whether there is the right amount of suspense etc when you (as the creator) already know all the twists and turns.
Good luck with the continuing edit, and the countdown to Samuel’s big day.
Best Wishes
Graham
Dear Graham
How kind you are – at least I know that one copy will sell!
This blog isn’t very organised, but I have tried to give an idea of the concerns and tasks that have preoccupied me. I have an author friend (a real, genuine, professional author, that is) and he says that the best thing about being a writer is the writing – and if he could do that all the time, he’d be in heaven. But alongside the writing there is the thinking and the research and the plotting and the editing and the correcting and the marketing and all the rest – the writing is just a tiny part of his work. And now I know what he means!
I am desperate to get the results of the beta read – and hoping that they are good!
Best wishes from Susan