Shay's Friend Comments

Today is 1 April. I received back the full comprehensive analysis of my book; let's just say I have a massive re-write undertaking ahead of me. Part of me is excited to take the challenge of pulling out a better story. The other part of me is a bit stunned and overcome by it all. I guess it is time to really prove to myself if I really want to be a writer but more importantly a published author with a quality book. No one ever said quality was easy. Right now, more than ever, structure in my life is essential. Early days and late nights. I will have a published novella this year. I am going to do what I said I was going to do.

Today is 25 March. The 1st edit review is finally complete. It included an editorial review to highlight the problematic areas with the story structure and story flow. Next week, my editor and I will review each major problem area and design a re-write plan of action. The focus is clearly on the story structure and content design. With the first set of comments, I was guided to make a choice that will likely leave a lot of the original story I wrote on the cutting room floor. I am okay with that.

The number one thing I am learning for the future novella is to spend considerable time on the outline, story context, and really understanding the journey you desire your main character to take.

Secondly, as a positive with me doing a lot of the deep work, I am now able to select which 1-2 themes I want to build the book around and build the novella out from there. Yes, my re-writing will mostly be an overhaul but I believe the reader will thank me for it in the end.

I have 12 weeks to turn this story around into something that is a beauty of storytelling. I anxiously look forward to this process as I know I will be a stronger writer in the end.

Today is 9 March. I decided to hire a book editor for developmental editing services of my debut novella, Crack This ShXt Open. I submitted a completed manuscript of 31,000 words. For the next 4 weeks, I plan to distance myself from this project and start working on a short story about a non-binary young leader and their dad. It is set in a forest in the heart of winter, with Northern climate, and illuminates their fractured relationship as the Dad's health takes a turn for the worse. One, this gives me a chance to work on a short story of 5,000 words and learn to write tight. I think this is a skill I need to start developing. Two, it gives me a chance to fill the void created with my novel manuscript undergoing editing outside my reach. Keep me busy. In addition, to the short story, I plan to still work on 1200-1500 articles for Medium; 2 per month is the target. And lastly, create video shorts and newsletter content for Stories Worth Your Time™. All of these efforts focus on building my content library and honing my speaking and idea development skills.

It is 2 March and I'm excited. I think (crossed my fingers) I found an editor for my book. I was just finishing editing Chapter 3 when, ding, an email popped through that asked to know more about my project. I was willing and able to trudge through this herculean task by myself, watching countless of Reedsy and 20booksto50K videos. I learned a lot and even started applying some literary devices, like Harmon's story arc, tension, and scene POV. Those all made sense. But admittedly the true help I need is better understand present vs past tense, as I tend to head hop quite a bit. My transitions between chapters need work. I also am pretty sparse on context descriptors to help put the reader in the scene. I seem to just straight into the dialogue, which is my sweet spot. So, whatever shall be with this editor, I truly do hope it works out this time.

What's Hot on my Stories Worth Your Time™ List
- Heavy, by Kiese Layman (audiobook version)(memoir)
- Project Leap (audio drama podcast)(sci-fi)
- ReInvent Your Business Model (audiobook version)(business)


If you love audiobooks or story/narrative podcasts let's connect. What are you listening to?

Week 1. My goal was to hire a book coach this week. I found one and realized quickly our personalities would not mesh well for a long book project. We parted ways amicably. I found another and took the extra step to try to get to know one another. Once we got to the negotiation and the details, things seem to blow up. She accused me of lowballing her because I was trying to itemized the list of works to be done. Maybe it was semantics, as we are from two different countries. English may not be a simple language after all. I guess I will keep looking. Or is this a sign I have to march in the darkness alone. Something to ponder.