OK, I’ll admit it, I’ve been procrastinating the past few months. I haven’t been fighting to get my “Mik Murdoch” book ready to send out.
For those of you keeping score, “Mik Murdoch, Boy Superhero” is the second book I’ve written. I actually wrote it last year during Nanowrimo. It turned out so much better than I expected that I plan to send it out to publishers.
There are two problems with that plan, though: (1) Editing and (2) Synopsis.
I know darn well that I can’t edit my own stuff with anything but a strong personal bias. That means I won’t be getting the book into the best shape it can be if I don’t get outside help.
I have put the book in front of a few select readers. Unfortunately, beyond “My kids loved it and want another” I haven’t gotten any useful editorial feedback. The good news is, I have heard the above comment from more than one person (several, in fact).
That still doesn’t overcome the problem, though.
My good friend, Aaron Kite has offered to give it a once over… and I know he will. But if you’ve seen the challenges he has set himself, it will take some time. And, he has already told me that he can’t give it the same level of attention that a true editor would. That leads me to the quandry: Should I find a professional editor and get it done that way?
I’m more than a little leery of that course of action for one very good reason: money. First books don’t typically pay much in terms of royalties. How much am I willing to invest in the project to get it to see print? Now, just for the record, my primary goal for my writing is not to become filthy rich. Making a little money would be nice though. And, having a family, disposible income to hire an editor with is a bit of a sacrifice.
It is a most serious thing to consider. I mean, I want to give the book every chance to succeed. I know my intended audience will enjoy it. What to do?
That brings me to my second procrastination point: Synopsis. To put it bluntly, I HATE writing synopsis. I suspect it’s because I really don’t know how to do it. This is one of those times when a mentor would be a WONDERFUL thing to have! I have, however, struggled through the exercise and written one. It is quite short, a bit terse and “just the facts”. Naturally, I won’t be calling it finished until the book edit is done.
So, in an effort to end procrastination (on this project anyway), I’m going to try reading the book with a jaded eye. Anything that doesn’t further the story along will be cut. I’ll be brutal, if need be. Once that’s done, I’ll incorporate Mr. Kite’s comments and package it to send out. That of course means that I will be updating the synopsis again (shudder).
This book will see the light of day, and not through self-publishing (not that there’s anything wrong with it). I want to go the traditional route at least once before I start adjusting the model. That means I’ve got to quit thinking about the project and actually get the damn thing done. My goal is to have the editing done and the package sent to the first publisher by October 31. I’ll keep you posted.
And for those of you keeping track, the first book now has three rejections. I have looked at it again and realized that it needs a considerable amount of work still before I send it out again. That will be my post-Nano project.
Have a good week and wish me luck.
