My editor writes to me, “I think the manuscript is in fantastic shape. I’m so pleased with the changes you’ve made, and at this point, I have very few comments left…. [It’s] nearly there, with very little left to address.”
That’s my cue. So, after something like two years, I work through this manuscript yet again for the—what?—two thousandth (or more) time. With a complex mixture of relief, elation, and despair, I find many things that I can make, need to make, better. There is relief that I find these things and can make adjustments. Elation that I can do something that will makes things better. Despair that I find these things at all.
I go through all my tricks: change of font, change of margins, changes in font size, change in background color, reading on the screen, reading on paper, reading out loud, reading to someone, but I still find these things. They are like lumps of coal working their way to the surface.
And always, always, the nagging worry: have I caught everything? Do I need to go through it one more time?
Have I caught everything? Of course I have not. Do I have to go through it one more time?
Of course I do.
6 thoughts on “One more time?”
Thank you–needed this good reminder today.
Yes. I know, I know. xx
Thanks for the reminder for ‘one more read’.
Thank you for sharing the craft of a master. Your stories all go through thousandth time of polishing, no wonder they all sparkle like diamonds. THANK YOU for great stories and great read, Avi! =)
Very true. Thank you for a great post and the knowledge that it isn’t only me who misses out a little ‘something’ while editing.
Yes. The book I am attempting to write is finally in second draft form. But now, as I go through it, I find many, many little,(and big) elements that need editing. It can be annoying when I print out a finished page, only to find it has another little something wrong in it!