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Cutting The Cord With Your Manuscript...

The day I sent in my first round of revisions on Desires of the Dead, I received a UPS package on my doorstep…Second Pass Page Proofs for The Body Finder had arrived. Basically, these were my very, VERY last chance to find any errors that have been missed by the numerous editors or typesetters along the way.

I am happy to announce that after a week of pouring over the pages, line-by-freaking-line, I. Am. Finished! They are probably being delivered to HarperCollins as we speak! HUZZAH!

What I will say is that no matter how many times I look at that text, no matter how many times I’ve revised, edited, and proofed those words, I can always find something else to tweak, something I want to change, or delete, or just rip apart and start over again. It’s disheartening. When is enough enough? As a writer, can you ever say “it’s perfect” and just walk away?

Or will I be reading my own (secretly revised) version at bookstores while readers scan the pages of the books they’ve purchased and complain “that’s not what mine says”???
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Patti said…
It's hard to let go, because you want it to be perfect. I think I heard once that once it's published the author doesn't read it again, because they'll always be editing it in their mind.
October 8, 2009 at 10:27 AM
The Blogger Girlz said…
I just finished reading my ARC of "The Body Finder" a few days ago and I LOVED it! I barely saw any typoes and thought it was beautifully written, you nailed the killer and violet's voice perfectly, I was on the edge of my seat more then once while reading the book, I even squealed a few times too-in fear! So no need to worry, I definatly think you've got a winner on your hands with this one Kim, re-edited or not! :D <3
~Breeann
October 8, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Shannon Messenger said…
I know a lot of writers have said they don't read their books after they're published for that very reason. We always see our own flaws so much clearer than others. I'm sure whatever you missed will not be noticed by 99% of your fans, and the 1% will forgive you.
October 8, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Kimberly Derting said…
Patti - I've actually talked to one author who says she keeps her own version (which she's edited way beyond publication) on her computer. That she's continually tweaking it. I will probably just stop reading it!

Breeann - I'm so glad you liked it (although I really wasn't fishing for compliments!). You should have seen the changes I made on the First Pass Pages (which is post-ARC), I was afraid my editor would hate me. There were more than you think!!! ;)

Shannon - Hopefully we got everything! And you're right, I don't pick books apart for little errors and mistakes. In fact, if the story is engaging enough I probably just skim over them.
October 8, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Donna Gambale said…
I do freelance proofreading on the side, and I'm always terrified to open the books in the bookstore for fear of some egregious error I missed -- so I can only imagine how terrifying it is if it's YOUR book! I'm sure it's just peachy, and I agree with Shannon -- in the eyes of your fans, errors are completely forgivable. Congrats on the final pass!
October 8, 2009 at 4:47 PM
PJ Hoover said…
It's never enough but once it's published until the next printing, it's done.
Congrats!
October 8, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Little Ms J said…
Congrats lady! I just cut the cord with my MS, but I'm only on submission to an agent. I'm not sitting around with book covers and ARCs swirling through the air. What's it like to be you?
October 8, 2009 at 9:22 PM
Leigh Purtill said…
I don't necessarily see errors when I look at my pubbed books. Rather, I see passages that I don't fully recognize! LOL! I have had moments when I look at a random page and have to remember writing it. I think my mind blocked the whole thing out once the book was accepted.
October 9, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Jenn (Books At Midnight) said…
Congrats! I say just be happy with all that you've achieved, and, from what I've heard, The Body Finder sounds great and I can't wait to read it! :)
October 12, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Paul Greci said…
I think if you keep looking at your work, published or not, you'll keep wanting to change it because you grow and change as a writer. You are never the same person twice.

My YA novel goes out on submission soon. And, I've got two other ms's I'm working on now. If my novel sells I'm sure I'll be looking at it with different eyes b/c of all the writing I've done since I last worked on it. I'm hoping I'll be able to let it go when/if it's published.

But I too, know writers who look at their previously published books and want to edit them. Not a bad problem to have, really.
October 14, 2009 at 11:24 AM
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