Well, some told me to leave it ages, up to three-six months, before rereading my baby. Others said get right on it. By the time you are ready to reread from the start, it will have been a while since you began anyway.
I decided to take the middle road, and it’s been around three weeks.
Yesterday, I took to my printout with pencils and post-its, and read the first few chapters…
Sonu Singh was at the ready to help me along.
And it really struck me, as I read, just how much my writing has come along since I started this project 18 years ago.
Sure the ideas are good (I think) and the characters are forming, but some of the writing!
Wow!
It’s clumsy and repetitive in places.
I didn’t know exactly how much I used the words actually and really in my manuscript, and that was the first three chapters!
But at least I’m looking at it with a more mature head now, and hopefully, I can rectify these issues.
I need to use this reread to find silly errors and plot holes and make copious notes about what needs rewriting… EEK!!!
And even though I’m not remotely at the stage where I will be ready to publish anything, I started wondering what the cover could look like.
#ProcrastiQueen – yes I believe that may be me!
This is what I came up with…
The bangles have some significance which you find out as you read the story…
I’ve been looking into the whole self vs. traditional publishing thing too, and researched agents… It’s a bit mad!
I’ve had quotes for editing/formatting too if I was to go down the ‘self’ route, and I have had some wonderful offers from great friends, to help along the way.
Once I do this mammoth reread and first change around, my next step will be beta readers.
I need to know if this is WOW! enough to even go down the agent/traditional route. Or if I get decent feedback, whether to push myself on the self-publishing route. Or if it is truly awful, and needs a lot more work!
This whole writing journey is a long and winding one, and I hope you are enjoying following it with me, Peeps! Your input has been invaluable so far!
In case you didn’t get it before, the prospective blurb is:
Aashi’s life was all set.
Or so she thought.
After finding out her fiancé was not the man she thought, she vows to put him, and her innocence behind her.
Accompanied by her brothers and best friend, she embarks upon an enlightening journey, where memories created and new relationships forged, have far-reaching effects.
I will also need to work on a synopsis too!!
This whole writing journey is a long and winding one, and I hope you are enjoying following it with me, Peeps! Your input has been invaluable so far!
Ritu
May 06, 2018 @ 08:03:03
Thank you Sally!
LikeLike
Tikeetha T
Apr 30, 2018 @ 20:42:14
I like it. I can’t wait to read it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 30, 2018 @ 21:00:22
Thank you so much Tikeetha!
LikeLike
Dorinda Duclos
Apr 30, 2018 @ 03:00:58
Your last hashtag made me laugh out loud! You got this. Can’t wait to read it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 30, 2018 @ 05:53:38
You have to remember, that the start was written 18 years ago Dorinda! A very different Ritu started the story, and my style has matured and changed since then! It is still a ‘great’ story idea, my readers who saw the first few unedited chapters on here a while back have told me that, but I can see where I need to develop it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dorinda Duclos
Apr 30, 2018 @ 06:08:37
That’s what the read through is all about! I wish you nothing but the best, and a speedy edit, where you say, “This is it!” 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 30, 2018 @ 06:44:44
Thank you so much! From your mouth to the editing God’s ears!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dorinda Duclos
Apr 30, 2018 @ 16:06:11
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don Massenzio
Apr 29, 2018 @ 12:48:17
I like the cover. Sometimes when I go back and read something that I’ve written, I am amazed that I don’t remember writing it. This is especially true with dialog. It’s as if the characters take on their own lives and speak and I just type what they say.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 29, 2018 @ 12:53:44
I get that too! I like reading it out aloud as well !!!
Glad you like the cover idea!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don Massenzio
Apr 29, 2018 @ 13:27:24
Reading aloud, or hearing it read aloud, is a great way to check the flow of your writing. I use the accessibility feature in Microsoft Word and let the computer read it to me. This helps me make adjustments before publishing and sets the book up nicely for the audio book version.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 29, 2018 @ 14:40:50
Good idea too! Because I have accented writing I like to read it in the right accent!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aimer Boyz
Apr 29, 2018 @ 03:50:48
Your cover idea looks good. The bangles work. The colour catches the eye…and hopefully leads to a buy it click 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 29, 2018 @ 06:53:40
Thank you Aimer. Obviously this is a simple mock up. With a stock picture but I love the bangles idea! 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Karyn
Apr 28, 2018 @ 21:33:00
I just want to say, I love your ‘avatar’ (cartoon woman) you always use as ‘media’ in your posts. How did you get/find/do that?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 28, 2018 @ 21:59:25
I use an app called Bitmoji with which you can create your avatar! Then within it there are hundreds of scenarios you can be in, as your avatar, and use!!!
I love my BitMoji!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Karyn
Apr 28, 2018 @ 22:35:12
OMG!!!
I AM GOING TO TOTALLY LOOK INTO THAT!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 29, 2018 @ 06:51:11
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
fancypaperblog
Apr 28, 2018 @ 21:20:35
This is very exciting Ritu.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 28, 2018 @ 21:25:52
I know… and scary!
LikeLike
fancypaperblog
Apr 28, 2018 @ 21:36:35
Writing is soul bearing x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 28, 2018 @ 21:58:14
It really is!
LikeLike
Erika Kind
Apr 28, 2018 @ 21:17:08
Take your time and do it your way. Whatever others say are inputs but trust your gut feeling at each point. It is your book, it comes from you, and it will be and turn out great when you follow your instinct and pace 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 28, 2018 @ 21:25:13
Thank you sis. Valuable advice 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Erika Kind
Apr 29, 2018 @ 10:50:44
It will be amazing 😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 29, 2018 @ 12:06:03
I do hope so sis!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Erika Kind
Apr 30, 2018 @ 18:41:21
I have not the slightest doubt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 30, 2018 @ 18:52:58
Love your faith in me sis! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Erika Kind
Apr 30, 2018 @ 19:03:38
Sure thing, sis!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
syl65
Apr 28, 2018 @ 17:16:47
Maintain your path Sister and it will all come together ( the long and writing road). 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 28, 2018 @ 17:19:28
Lol! It is definitely that Brother! Thank you 🙏🏽
LikeLiked by 1 person
syl65
Apr 28, 2018 @ 17:54:17
You’re welcome, lol! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
willowdot21
Apr 28, 2018 @ 17:08:24
Never mind “actually and really” Sis how many times have you written “innit” you can do this Hun 💜💝💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 28, 2018 @ 17:14:56
Surprisingly not as much as you’d think! Innit is more London based Asians!!! Picked it up at Uni lol!!!!! Thank you ❣💞💜
LikeLike
willowdot21
Apr 28, 2018 @ 19:51:46
💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
OIKOS™-Redaktion
Apr 28, 2018 @ 16:19:22
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
LikeLiked by 1 person
robbiesinspiration
Apr 28, 2018 @ 15:22:10
I am enjoying reading about your journey, Ritu. I am learning from it too. Charli Mills has helped me with my manuscript and her advice has been invaluable. I am busy with changes and rewrites now too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 28, 2018 @ 16:53:36
I figure there are a lot of people out there in similar boats with no clue as to what to do… if I ask , the answers and suggestions can help many … and its showing just how much goes in to every book written! 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
pranabaxom
Apr 28, 2018 @ 15:02:17
You “actually” started editing? ” Really”? But if you not drunk while writing, how can you be sober now while editing? Or you “thought” you were not drunk😃
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ritu
Apr 28, 2018 @ 15:10:30
I was drunk tired… does that count???
LikeLike
pranabaxom
Apr 28, 2018 @ 16:32:27
How will I know? Never drank, so likely will never write to publish😭😭
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 28, 2018 @ 16:59:54
Can you get high on water???? Just pondering?
LikeLike
pranabaxom
Apr 28, 2018 @ 17:15:08
Yeah, definitely. But not conducive for concentrating as one has to run to the loo frequently 😭
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 28, 2018 @ 17:17:04
That is true!!!! Sit on a porta potty???
LikeLike
pranabaxom
Apr 28, 2018 @ 17:23:55
And write s**t? 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 28, 2018 @ 17:27:13
Well… I hope not but it would solve the running to the toilet problem!!!
LikeLike
pranabaxom
Apr 28, 2018 @ 17:47:50
😃😃😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Annette Rochelle Aben
Apr 28, 2018 @ 13:30:32
I admire your tenacity. (and your talent). I know you will nail this and that the path you take it exactly what YOU should do. Keep at it and before you know it, not only will you have a completed project, but the wisdom that comes along with it. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Apr 28, 2018 @ 13:51:30
Thank you so much Sis! It feel s like a neverending journey at the moment!
LikeLiked by 1 person