I think the picture says it all...
I spent the last 10 months (Everyday) editing my manuscript for my debut novel, and let me tell you, I am mentally fu#@ exhausted, borderline thinking to book myself into a clinic and sleep for as long as I possibly can.
Don't get me wrong―I would do it again and again and again. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to have my debut novel published with some support from a publisher. But I don't think we actually talk about how stressful the editing process really is.
I had to change quite a bit and as time went on I've re-written entire scenes and cut at least over 30 000 words from my final manuscript. Then you've gotta look at the pacing, and the plot development and look for potholes. Then it's the character arc and ensuring the main themes comes through in the novel all the time. And of course then you have to think: will people like this? Have I done enough world building? Will people read page to page or lose interest? Have I added enough horror―but then again not too much of it?
You know how many nights I literally lay awake thinking how the hell am I actually going to do this?
Even reading through my book, probably more than a hundred times, I still found typos and small mistakes. It's crazy how our brain can read over a mistake time and time again.
The big question is this―Is it worth it?
Absolutely f$%@ yess! Even if I end up booking myself into some mental institution.
It's terrifying that people will soon read my inner thoughts and feelings. But I'm excited as well. I think anyone who picks up my book will be immersed into the Strasbourg 1518 dancing plague. I know it!
Now―it's off to my next story!!