First Agent Edit Round: Lots and Lots of Edits

About 2 weeks ago now, I got my first batch of edits back from Trish (my agent). It has been a pretty wild experience just realizing how much I didn’t see until it was pointed out. For example:

Stephen King compared adverbs to Dandelions. One or two in your yard look pretty. But if you don’t keep an eye on it, it’ll get out of control and then you’ve got a whole yard covered in them. Heh. That’s the current state of the book (though I’ve got the first 8 chapters in MUCH better shape now.

Another example, and one of the things my superagent has helped me immediately realize (and want to squash) in my writing: “Something” and “kind of” . Holy shit do I use those WAY too much. The funny thing is, I’m on a “something, kind of” slaying mission, and it’s going quite well. I’m snipping them out of the yard along with the adverbs and tossing them in the trash.

Part of me KNOWS these things already. But I sit here like, come on, Al, how the HELL did you not see all of that when you through and did your edit?! And the answer?? … I think it has to do with the fact that my brain was so used to seeing that book and that google doc that my eyes kind of glazed over it. Holy crap I just did it again?!?!? SEE? Lemme do a strikethrough on that.

Anyway, all of this to say, I’m starting to hit a groove and stride editing this beast now. Trish gave me some super actionable, valuable feedback. And I plan to incorporate all of it.

It’s Friday, and I’m planning to spend a few hours tonight buried in edits once the family is all tucked in. I’m really enjoying this process. Having someone look at your work with a critical eye and show you / remind you of simple ancient writing techniques that have withstood time itself (omit needless words) has been incredibly helpful. I’m looking forward to making the book really shine, and then get it back to Trish for more feedback.

If you ever read this at some point, Trish, and I ever get whiny down the road on future edits and projects, feel free to point me to this page 😉 I really do enjoy it, and it’s all in the spirit of giving this book we both love the best shot for Mac and the gang to absolutely steal readers hearts.