The agony of the developmental edit

My writing room in full Christmas mode

 There comes a time in every writer's life when you feel your manuscript needs to be read by an editor. Sending to beta readers will help, but unless they have the experience, they won't pick up things an editor would. But then there's the expense. I have to admit that unless I'm going to make money on my books, I can't keep paying out for editors. And for those on a low income, these professional services are a dream they cannot afford. I've even heard some writers dismiss editors because they clearly don't understand the work. I do think most editors want the best for your work, and to be fair, these editors people were slating worked for publishers. Now I do think they can take over to the extent that I've heard people say that the book no longer feels theirs.

The first critique I had on a manuscript last year (not a developmental edit) was a shock to the system, but the lady was so nice and we spoke for an hour as she guided me through how I could go about the edits. I believe she was right with her advice and my novella improved because of her.

This time I thought I'd go through Reedsy, a writing website in the USA, for my novella-in-flash. They offer a list of editors with the type of edits they offer and the genres they work with. Of course there are a lot of US editors, but I wanted a UK editor. I chose two to approach, but went with one whose timescale was better for me. What I had stupidly not realised is that Reedsy takes a cut before paying the editor. This is around £45. The guy I worked with was actually American, but living in the UK. My main concern was that my novella was only about 15,000 words, whereas a novel would be around 80,000 and I did query the fee. The other editor had quoted the same fee, so I was beginning to wonder if this was a set fee. I had paid a bit less than this for the critique (but it wasn't a full developmental edit that time).

So the expense is something you have to prepare yourself for, if you go down this route. The second thing you have to prepare yourself for is the actual report. Boy, it can be brutal! All I can tell you is how I react. Everyone is different, but I'm betting not that different. I couldn't read the whole of the editorial edits, because my feelings were getting in the way. The words were not going in anymore. I glimpsed at the developmental edits and gave up. I walked away from it all and had a sleepless night thinking I was a hopeless writer, and there was nothing in it my editor liked. I have to say, it felt he made more negative remarks and only a few positive ones. That could have been my view because I was so upset. My immediate reaction was to ditch the whole project. I couldn't reply to him because I was both angry and upset and I know I cannot respond to people when I feel like this. So I left things a couple of days. I returned to his editorial, printed it off and highlighted the things most important, and I made my own notes. This is something I did for the critique I had last year. It helped to focus my thoughts. I then left it some more before typing a reply to the editor. Everything goes through Reedsy, so I typed my reply in a Word document and left it another day to sit. Then I made amendments before pasting it into the reply box of Reedsy. I had calmed down a lot by then and saw the manuscript in a different light.

Most of what my editor said was right, and on reflection, I may have submitted this one too early, but I know I needed help. The timeline was confusing for the reader, and I needed to flush out the main character in more detail. These things I am gradually working on now. My editor was helpful with advice, and I actually re-wrote the first two sections and sent them to him, asking if this was a better start. He confirmed I was on the right track, and he gave me a list of novellas I might like to read to get a better idea of how these books work.

My novella-in-flash was written non-linear and now I am changing this to chronological order initially, editing as I go. Some pieces might be flashbacks. Once it is all or in order, there will be a second edit and hopefully it will read better and I can take it forward. So, after all that, the advice was good, and I believe what I am writing now will be stronger. Would I use Reedsy again? Probably not to find an editor. I kept getting emails reminding me that it is usual to approach five editors. Why, if I've found what I want? And then kept sending me more suggestions, which I no longer wanted. Payment is through Reedsy in four instalments over the month you work with your chosen editor. The developmental edit is thorough and deep, and I have still not read all the notes. I will do this as I rearrange each section.

I guess I wanted to see what Reedsy would offer, but I would look around elsewhere another time. One of the reasons I chose my editor was because he focussed on novellas-in-flash. I also wanted a male perspective on my work, as my main character is male and usually my readers are women! 

If you are a member of The Alliance of Independent Authors you can find an editor through them and gain a discount on fees. I'm no longer a member, but their list is still one of the best. If you know people in the business, even better. However you go about using the services of an editor, it will be scary, emotional, but they do know what they are talking about. As to the cost, it might be beyond some, but look around and ask around. It is also important to choose an editor right for your work/genre.

On a totally different theme, I want to mention Robin Houghton's great poetry spreadsheet of small presses accepting work. It tells you when windows open, if there is a reading fee, a payment and what they are looking for, along with links to websites. I find this a brilliant resource and have found small presses I've never heard of before and had successes with them. Do sign up. It's free.

A memory walk and other news

Cannizaro Park. Its herb garden is in one corner

 During Covid, my friend and I wrote in a lot of strange places. We still talk about it now. When we couldn't meet indoors, we met outdoors in gardens and parks. This graduated to shopping malls and drafty cafes with windows and doors open. But though they were the worst of times, they were also the best of times (sorry Dickens!). We made lots of memories and continued to write in different places.

The strangest place we wrote was at what was then called Centre Court shopping mall in Wimbledon (now called Wimbledon Quarter...not got the same ring, sorry). There was nowhere to sit, so we perched on a tiny window ledge of a shop. Not the most comfortable and at one time we thought we were going to be moved on by the security staff! The ledge was opposite some comfy chairs, all occupied. We kept our eyes on them and tried to move in when someone left, but always missed our opportunity, until a guy offered us his seats as he was leaving. What a nice man, and what dedication we had to writing during these weird times.

We sat away from the icy wind to write in Hays Galleria near London Bridge.

Then there was the bitterly cold day we met in Wimbledon and walked to Cannizaro Park by Wimbledon Common. We headed to the herb garden, a wee gated garden with benches. We wrote in gloves about silly stuff like Hot Lips Salvia, a plant in the garden, who became a person. And we drank homemade vegetable soup I'd brought in a flask. 

By the time cafes were re-opening, the cafe we used to go to had closed down and we found another nearby in Hammersmith by the River Thames. Our laughter often got out of hand over our writing, and we wondered if we would be asked to leave! 

Our bench in Fulham Palace Gardens

Now that friend has moved away, but we still see each other, email and text. Even though we may not have met for months, when we do, our laughter rings out in cafes, and it's just like yesterday. So, I dedicate this section to Julie, my writing buddy and treasured friend. Long may we write and laugh together wherever and whenever we meet.

I am excited to say that I have just had a poem published in London Grip, an online magazine. Nice to end the year with a success. Follow the link and then click on my name (Heather Walker) for a read.

One other piece of news for now - I have joined Sutton Writers. They run a prose group and a poetry group, though the latter is online. They are hoping to set up a writing group in January, which interests me most, and the first session I went to was a try-out for this group. It went really well with people reading and then writing to prompts, and reading again. I also attended the prose group where people read stories or flash stories they have written and feedback is offered, if people want it. They are a varied group and all ages. I read at both groups and look forward to getting to know people better. I find meeting other writers stimulating and encouraging. The sessions are something to aim for and get writing.

I also met up with the London Group on Saturday. I'd missed the last two meetings, so I was pleased to get there for this one. We caught up with one another and what we were working on before writing for an hour on our projects. I am doing edits to a novella-in-flash, which I will talk about next time.

Now, I'm enjoying the Advent season. December is probably my favourite time of winter, with lights and music. I have a concert to sing in next Sunday 8th, so I hope to keep well. There's nothing more soul destroying than having learnt everything 'off-copy' only to be ill on the day of the concert. It has happened to me.

Until next time, keep writing and reading and have a joyful Advent.

Crazy October

Dragon Hall

 I'm not sure quite where October has gone. It's almost over. The month has felt like I have been spinning plates while I've been considering my projects and catching up with friends. Then I've had a couple of mini breaks. All good fun, but I almost ended up double booking myself. Luckily the other friend couldn't make that date, so I didn't have to cancel one of them.

One of my trips was to Norwich to meet a friend and to attend Cafe Writers' open mic night. It had been a long time since I had been to anything like this, so I was both excited and nervous, especially as we were going to put our names down to read.

But before the open mic, there was time to visit Norwich's National Centre of Writing. They hadn't been open when I had gone to Norwich before, but this time, as it was a Monday, they were. So after lunch we had a wander around. What a beautiful place. Dragon Hall was built about 1427 by a wealthy merchant named Robert Toppes and used as a trading hall. The hall is magnificent, with beams spanning the roof and the walls. Look up and you will see the one remaining dragon. There are also 'witches marks' around the fireplace and some other beams. Please use the link to read the history of the building. Writers' Centre Norwich took on the lease in 2015. Downstairs are rooms where classes are held, a hub where you can hire a desk for writing away from distractions. There is a small shop, lots of information, and the hall is now used for social events. Outside is a garden, beyond which is the River Wensum. It is free to visit (donations welcome).

Witches' marks

Looking towards the garden

Spot the dragon

Old wallpaper

Dragon Hall

After our visit, we ended up in another cafe to talk about the poems we were going to read. We'd each brought along several possibilities, but in the end we decided the ones we had originally said we would read, we would read!

River Wensum, Norwich

Time for tea and discuss poetry for the evening

It was soon time for me to check into my hotel and grab something to eat before we met to walk to Maddermarket Theatre where the event was to take place. We arrived early and hoped to get our names down in the first half (so we could relax in the second). Even so, we ended up reading in the second half. There were four poets invited to read with open mic slots in between. My friend had told me there might be around fifteen people there, but it was packed, and there were probably nearer 40-50 people! Invited poets were Matt Howard, Jenny Pagdin, Jane Wilkinson and Rachel Goodman. What a great evening. All the open mic-ers read impressive poems, including a couple of amusing ones, which I was pleased to hear.

My friend and I did ourselves proud, I think. Nerves were there, of course, but we drove on through. I tried to remember all the advice I give others about reading and didn't rush. The audience was appreciative as they were with everyone. The poem I read was one of very few new poems I have written lately, and quite personal to me, making me conscious of the last couple of lines that I had to get through without stumbling. But I did it. Both of us could breathe easy at last!

Reading my poem

And suddenly it was all over. It was hard to say goodbye. The day had gone so fast and in the morning I was on the train going home.

Although Winchester (where I went the next week!) is my favourite city, Norwich is definitely my next favourite. It is excellent for writers as there is so much going on. Unlike London, where things are scattered across the many boroughs, everything in Norwich is central. I am very impressed by the city, and then there are all the bookshops!

A collection of booklets from the Writing Centre

September roundup

Rue is two now, and more settled.
He will allow me to write until about 11am before he says it's my turn now!

 So, here we are at the end of September. Where has the summer gone? The only thing about the months towards the end of the year is that I get writing more. With the rain we have been having, there is no excuse not to go back to those projects that have been left while I've been doing other things.

Several things have happened to make me re-think my writing life. The death of my cousin and the fact that I will be seventy next year have really brought a new focus to my work. If I don't get on with things soon, it might be too late. This has coincided with an 'up' mood and the desire to pull things together.

I currently have four projects on the go. That sounds a lot, but they are all at different stages and most have been lingering while I put off doing anything with them, due to my own lack of confidence. That negative voice always outweighs the positive one. Why is that? One can get lots of wonderful feedback, but that one piece of negativity still eats away inside ones head.

So what am I doing? Well, most of you will know that my Christmas novella is out on submission. Still no takers, but I will review this again next year and find a new direction to take it. I have sent the first 3,000 of my YA novella to Mslexia's competition, and just in case I get asked for the full manuscript, I am currently editing the rest of the manuscript. If it doesn't get asked for, it will not be wasted. My collection of flash fiction (some published and some new stories) is away being proofread, and in November I will be working with an editor on another novella. The last project was a spur of the moment decision and I am excited and terrified at the same time.

Talking about editors, I read this very interesting article on Substack, which really made me think. Do have a read. And speaking of Substack, I took a Zoom workshop recently to learn all about it and whether it would be worth my while using it. I found the workshop really interesting and took copious notes, but there was a download later, so I was able to keep the Powerpoint presentation. There was also a good article in Mslexia about Substack which I have kept. I interact with a couple of writers on there already, so have an account. Perhaps this would work for me, but I need time to learn all about it and how to approach it. Watch this space. Do comment if you use Substack or are considering it.

And while on the subject of the business side of writing, I have signed up for a couple more Zoom workshops in October. These Zoom classes are run by Jane Friedman, or through her website. I learned about formatting Word for Amazon KDP through her website. The classes are very professional and some you have to pay for. All I would say is they are worth it. I don't part with my money easily!

On the submission front, I have had a few rejections, and there is not much out there on submission now, but I did manage to submit two flash/short stories this month.

That's it for now. See you next month. Do leave a comment or question on anything I've spoken about here. It's lovely to hear from people.

Books - what I read, what attracts me to a book and a whole lot else.

Part of the reading material in my writing room.

Physical books or e-reader? No contest. It has to be a real book. Just the smell, the feel of it in my hands, the art of browsing bookshelves, the cover. Everything about a real book is sensual. I carry a book with me when I'm on a train and always when travelling. There is a book in my rucksack sometimes when walking and always when I'm on holiday. I sometimes have to pick the right size if space is limited, but without a book, I am totally lost.

 What do I read? If you look at the side panel of this blog, you will see what I am currently reading and what I have read lately. I have a small TBR pile and try not to let it get out of hand. During Covid I finally read through most of my then large TBR pile, and I promised myself I'd never let it get that bad again. I tended to leave non-fiction to one side (even though I'd had to buy that book at the time) because I always crave novels, but these days I am reading more non-fiction.

Genres? Probably best to list what I don't read than what I do. So the no list is fantasy, romance and gory horror. If I had to pick a favourite genre, then maybe crime/psychological thrillers would just about edge it. I like things with bite! But I also like comedy, gothic, lit fiction, dystopian and the odd sci-fi and stories that include interests of mine. I also read poetry and YA.

I read on average one book a week. Of course, that depends on the length and time I have available. I won't attempt books with tiny fonts! I often alternate between fiction and non-fiction, but again it depends on what I have on my TBE pile.

Where do I source my books? Amazon. I hate to admit that, but it is easy and quick. I also buy books from bookshops, especially when there is a 3for2 offer or my kind friends/family give me book tokens (my dream present). There is nothing more pleasurable than spending time browsing in a bookshop. I also buy from charity shops (as well as donate books), do books swaps with friends and use the library. There is no space to keep the books I have read, so I donate them, unless it is something I will use for research (usually that's  non-fiction).

Classics. Yes, I do read the odd classic book. I've read a few of Dickens', the Bronte's, Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, Mary Shelley. I even read Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome because it was based on my beloved River Thames. It was the most ridiculous story. Sorry, if you like this one, but I struggled to finish it. I gave up on To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf, which pained me because I am a big fan of The Bloomsbury Group. Maybe I will come back to it one day when I've matured in my reading habits!

So, yes, I do abandon books. Though not often. I hate doing it, but there are so many great books to read, I will not waste my time on one I hate. Books put aside include Wolf Hall and A Gentleman in Moscow. The latter was so slow and I wondered when it would get started and if anything would happen. I know this book has high praise. I guess it's good we don't all like the same things.

What attracts me to a book? Sometimes it's the cover (I'll come back to this), but most definitely the blurb. I never read all the endorsements from other authors/newspapers on the inside cover, nor do I read the starting chapters of the next book at the end. If I want to read that author again, I will buy/borrow it, anyway. I do enjoy interviews with the author and sometimes skim book club questions. I love maps or lists of characters and the very rare Spotify link offered by the author for music to go with the book, something I would love to do for some of my books.

Covers. I find a lot of covers generic and boring. They could all come from the same publishing house. There was also a trend where every other title sounded the same. Some originality would be good.

Best-seller lists. I have to say I don't often buy bestsellers. The publishers say they produce books people want to read. Huh? I do wish readers would branch out and try something different. There are many Indie books that I have loved. Of course occasionally I might come across one that doesn't quite work for me or there are formatting issues, but I've never given up on a self-published book. I usually find Indie/self-published titles through Twitter or Indie Book Fairs. Because I send some of my own work that way, I get to know the books they publish.

Hype. There is a lot of this around. I'm not going to pick any titles here, but often they can be disappointing. I never go out to buy a book that has won an award. Usually I pick them up accidentally because they interest me.

Recommendations. I do look into books recommended to me or appear in the book section of newspapers if they appeal. I try always to read a new author from time to time. We all get stuck in our safe reading zone and find it hard to venture out of it. I'm as much to blame as the next person. But recently I discovered Kate Rhodes and Jim Crace, two very different authors. Kate writes crime/thrillers and Jim writes about different subjects and I find his stories compelling. I'm also a fan of Graham Norton's books. I'd also suggest giving Bob Mortimer a try.

Books from my past. In my teens I read a lot of Jean Plaidy and ventured in Maeve Binchy. I read every book of hers and loved how she wrote about the ordinary and sometimes characters from one book would appear in another. I'm now on a quest to finish the Inspector Montalbano Sicilian detective series by Andrea Camillier. I have three books left to read.

Non-fiction. I love books about walking (Thames Path and Raynor Winn's books), our ancestors (especially the stone age) and nature. I find trees fascinating, though I'm a hopeless tree spotter. I enjoy the odd biography or autobiography, books about art and writing and poetry. My latest acquisition is Walking the Bones of Britain by Christopher Somerville. I also devour books on forensics, how the mind works (why people do what they do) and some real crime.

Magazines. I don't often buy magazines, though growing up I bought lots. I subscribe to Mslexia and often buy Writing magazine. I rarely buy a woman's magazine these days as I prefer reading novels or short story collections. Sometimes I might buy a copy of The Simple Things or a walking magazine, but there is nothing out there that really ticks my boxes these days. I used to buy a very good art magazine, more about the artists than a how-to, but sadly it folded.

Gosh, it's September!

My motto!

 Hello all, firstly, apologies for posting about a walk I recently did on this site. It belongs on my other blog, but I couldn't work out how to move it, so I left it. Anyway, it shows I have another life apart from writing, and hopefully you enjoyed it.

Secondly, it's September! I only realised this a few hours ago and I've yet to change the calendars. Where has the summer gone? Mine seems to have drifted away from me with dental problems and other things encroaching on life and not being able to concentrate. However, some good news. I have had two poems published by Witcraft, and Australian e-zine. They like all things humorous and luckily, I write stuff like that. In fact, I find it hard to place my more humorous work. I often think writing that is fun is seen as somehow less than serious work. Of course, what one thinks is funny isn't to someone else. My friend who proofreads for me had that experience with one of my stories. She thought it funny, but her friend didn't. Well, you can't please everyone.

Another of my humorous pieces made it to a longlist recently, which gives me hope, but I was pleased that Witcraft took my poems (scroll down to 29th August to read them) and do leave a comment if you like what you read.

Thirdly, I have sent a bundle of published and unpublished flash stories to my proofreader. It took me a while to realise the way I wanted to go and dithered over what I want to publish next. It is one step closer to a book! My proofreader has also just finished reading through a novella of mine and I have made all the amendments, but it needs another read through as ProWritingAid doesn't like mixed tenses when I write about the past in backstory and then return to the present day, so I need to check I have got it right.

Meanwhile (and fourthly), I have been trying to write the new story I began back in March. All was going well, but the last part I wrote was a slog. It may end up either edited or cut. 

Finally (and fifthly), I am thinking about entering the Mslexia YA writing competition. I have something that just needs a little editing, I just baulk at the cost of entry. I entered last year (or the year before) with a different story and got nowhere, but I guess if I don't try, I don't even have a chance.

By the way, I read today that writers of short fiction (and to some extent poetry) only have a success rate of 1% of the work they send out. Isn't that disheartening and sad? I feel quite lucky that my average has been higher than that in the past, but some years are leaner than others. Makes me wonder why I do this, but what else am I going to do? I can't imagine my life without writing in it.

Well, I hope your September goes well. Happy writing and reading.

Capital Ring Walk 4 - Crystal Palace to Streatham

Westow Park

 This is a short walk, just over four miles, and the fourth section of the fifteen Capital Ring walks. I made my way to Crystal Palace station via Clapham Junction, and then turning left from the station, headed along pavements, through part of an estate until I reached Belvedere Road. Most of this walk is on pavements, across parks and a wood. This early part of the walk is very much uphill, but worth it for the views across the north downs and Kent, and also across to central London.

View from Belvedere Road

The first park I came to was Westow Park, and then it's not that far to Upper Norwood Recreation Ground. Sadly, both the cafe and toilets were shut and looked as if they were a due for a make-over. From there I was soon onto Beulah Hill, a busy main road. It's a bit of a walk along there. Turning left into Biggin Hill I walked downhill. Again there were great views from here over the allotments. 

Upper Norwood Recreation Park

Heading towards Biggin Wood, I came across two roads named after Charles Dickens. This is apparently where Dickens stayed while he was writing David Copperfield and where one scene is set. However, Havisham Place get its name from Great Expectations.

The book I was using as a guide warned me to look out for a pathway easy to miss. I missed it! Luckily, I hadn't gone too far. The path runs past tennis courts and into Biggin Wood. This is a nice tree lined path with dappled sunlight and one of the remnants of the Great North Wood. See photo of map.

Biggin Wood

The piece marked in black is where I was

View towards London

Exiting the woods, it's a shortish walk to the next park. This one is Norwood Grove which has a house and gardens at the top of the hill where there are more great views across the area. It is said on a good day you can see Reigate one way and Windsor Castle in the other.

Norwood Grove

Norwood Grove

Views from the hill at Norwood Grove

From here I knew I was almost at the end of my walk, for the last part took me to Streatham Common and The Rookery, beautiful gardens I had visited before. Here there is a cafe and loos. I took a little time to explore the gardens before having lunch. Then I headed towards the station across Streatham Common. There was a fair on the common. While I didn't want to pay to go in, I did manage to get a couple of photos over and through the fencing!

The Lodge, Streatham Common

The Rookery

Community Garden

Last time I was here I didn't know about the memorial garden, so I crossed the road to take a look before heading off to Streatham Common station.

Depending where your are travelling from, this walk can be done in a half a day, though The Rookery is worth spending time in. The flowers are always so pretty and the bees make the most of them.

White Garden, The Rookery

On Streatham Common

The Fair on Streatham Common