From Paul's Messy Desk...
I woke up spitting sand. Someone was kicking me in the ribs.
That's the opening paragraph of my "work-in-progress," which is undergoing the metamorphoses to "book."
It's titled "State vs. Lassiter," and yesterday I received my editor's
notes. I am blessed to have a great editor. In her notes, she asked
two overall character questions and 134 carefully crafted line notes.
It should take two long days to address them all.
This brings to mind by a question posed to me on a Linked-In writing
group earlier this week. A budding author asked if I have ever
re-written a chapter.
Ever? Like, when have I not? If you count re-writes, minor edits, and
polishes, I probably re-do each chapter a dozen times BEFORE any editor
sees my words. What about you folks?
As many authors have noted before me, coming down the home stretch is
the fun time. This is when you can shine your work to a high gloss.
This will be my 17th novel, and this part of the process remains my
favorite.
As for the book itself, Jake Lassiter goes on trial as the DEFENDANT
after all the evidence points to him in the homicide of his
banker/girlfriend. About half the book consists of a trial for first
degree murder.
So, I'm locking myself in today and working on the manuscript this one LAST TIME.
Then, thanks to the generosity of a friend with floor seats, I'll be at the Bucks/Heat playoff game tonight. Go Heat!
Folks, it just doesn't get any better.
Paul Levine
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