Richard Bell asked Michelle Cox:

Do you do your own editing? Does writing become easier over time?

Michelle Cox Hi, Richard,

Thanks for reaching out! I do do a lot of my own editing (though I know you're not supposed to!) I am a former English major, however, and worked briefly as an editor/proofreader for Amoco Oil, so I perhaps have a little bit of license. I edit my manuscripts many, many, many times before I turn them in my publisher, SWP, where it goes through yet another set of professional copy edits and proofs.

As for writing, yes, it definitely becomes easier over time. Writing a weekly blog, even if you suspect your audience is negligible, is a great help in improving writing skills and discipline. Having to stick to a weekly deadline to produce a piece of writing worthy of public view can only improve your writing.

As for my novels, they get easier as well because each time I'm a more experienced writer. Though each novel of my series presents it's own challenge, they are easier in some ways, I think, each time because the characters are already known to me and a lot of their back story has already been explained.

So with my Henrietta and Inspector Howard series, I already have that world built when I start a new book. I'm always introducing new characters, which feel stiff at first, but writing the parts about Clive and Henrietta are really easy now!

Hope this helps!

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