I had just finished the second revision of book 3 of my brand new trilogy.
So what was next?
Revision three, of course. But then I paused and thought for a moment. I knew what I needed to do, but I was reluctant. It would be too time-consuming. It would stop the flow of my revision work. No, don’t make me!
What was it? It was to read the entire trilogy from first to last page. I would become the first person to read the entire trilogy, which makes sense since I wrote it.
I told myself I needed to do it. I rolled my eyes and thought of any other way to get around it. But I knew if I wanted to present the very best overarching story possible that I needed to delve back into the ENTIRE story.
So that’s what I’m doing.
I just finished reading book 1: A Man Too Old for a Place Too Far, and you know what? I enjoyed it. After just finishing the storyline of the entire trilogy, it was fun to revisit the genesis of everything. There were definitely some details along the way which I had forgotten, but I was pleased with the story’s consistency.
I think I’m on the right track, and that makes me happy.
It can be painful to read one’s own work. Tedious, actually. But it’s so important, and I usually end up surprising myself thinking “Hey, how did I think of that? If I wrote this paragraph today, I don’t think it would have been as good.”
On the other hand I also run into these thoughts: “I don’t really like this sentence anymore. How about a simple edit?”
Re-reading is crucial to jog one’s memory of the myriad of character and plot details which absolutely must mesh.
But do it. Hold your nose if you have to, but keep re-reading your own work. It will be well worth it.
If you haven’t read book 1, please check it out. It’s a story I’m really happy with, and it’s only $1.89 on Amazon. Permanently. Thanks for the support!
Link to Amazon. Only $1.89 on Kindle.
