It’s been a long time coming. And that’s an understatement. The first draft of Carrion was started nearly fifteen years ago – and took five to complete. The first professional edit was done about seven years ago, and that threw up all kinds of problems with it. Since then, a variety of obstacles have got in the way of me getting on with the rewrites – and some of them weren’t even of my own making…
But there have been rewrites. Several.
One draft even crept over 180000 words, and it was slow – painfully slow. More accurately, the first half of it was slow. The second half rattled along at breakneck speed. That bit remains largely untouched.
Using a spreadsheet to map out timelines, I managed to trim the next draft down to around 150000 words and, convinced there was nothing else I could cut, I sent it to beta readers for feedback. The conclusion was largely the same. The first half was still too slow, but the second half was great.
So I looked at the timelines again, and moved things around some more. And I managed to eliminate another 20000 words. I’d always wanted to get it down to around 120000 words, which meant it would be a similar length to Ravens Gathering, so this was a lot closer. And then, at last, I was ready to send it to the editor for a second time.
The feedback was largely positive, but it was still too slow at the beginning. Instead of the first half, though, the slowness was confined to just the first forty pages. I knew this was largely one sequence that takes place over several chapters, and it had always been problematic. I felt it was necessary because it introduced the main characters and set up some of the background, but it clearly went on too long.
The word count for that sequence was around 8500 – about thirty pages. I needed to chop it down dramatically. Two weeks ago, I made the first attempt. I thought it went well, though it ended up still being over 5000 words (maybe eighteen pages). Then I passed it to my partner to read through.
Although she’s not my editor, she is an actual editor, and had given me feedback on the drafts I’ve produced in the last couple of years. So she was already familiar with the story and the characters. Do you think she rubber-stamped it? Not at all. But we were able to throw around some alternative approaches.
So it was with some trepidation that I gave her the latest version to read a few days ago… This time I got the green light. The sequence works – and I’d got it down to just over 4000 words. Hallelujah!
All I need to do now is read through the whole manuscript with the revised early chapters included. Hopefully, the changes won’t mean I’ve lost anything in the telling. If it does still work, I can get on with producing the eBook in a matter of weeks. The paperback will take a little longer. But the reality is that, at last, we’re on the home straight…
Good for you! You’d be here sooner if only it was a crow because we know how they fly…
Thanks, Geoff. I am really proud of this book, but I am ready to move on to the next one!
Great news, let me know when it’s ready and I’ll give you a publication day feature shout out.
You’re very kind, Jill. I’ll be in touch. Hope you’re getting on okay with our new ‘circumstances’.
We’re fine thanks, we’re such sad sacks that we hardly notice the difference. As we both work together from home, only go shopping once a week and don’t have many friends that live locally this is our normal life. I will start to miss my bookish events as they were my way of getting out and away from each other. Vince is missing getting down to the pub for an hour with his book (male author of course!) but hardly important in the scheme of things. Harder for you if you can’t travel to see each other. Take care and stay well.
To be fair, Jill, we’ve not noticed much difference, either. As it happens, I was at Ess’s when the clampdown kicked in, so I can’t go home anyway! Fortunately, my son moved back in with me a couple of months ago, so the house is occupied – though I’d be stretching a point if I said it was being looked after…
That was handy, no need to worry about seeing each other. Good news re your son (I think). At least with lockdown he won’t be having wild parties.
Never underestimate the foolhardiness of the young – oddly enough, a theme that appears in Carrion…
You can tell we never had kids!
This is a stunning cover, Graeme. Congratulations on getting this far.
Thanks, Robbie. Just hoping the story will stun you more!
I am sure it is great, Graeme. You are an excellent writer.
Thank you, Robbie. That’s really kind of you to say so.
It is so much work. A non-author could never imagine. Well done in your process, Graeme.
Thanks, Erika. This one has been particularly hard to get right. Just hope the end result is worth it for the readers…
I am positive about it, Graeme!
You’re very kind – but I love the sentiment!
😁😉
If it’s as good as your first book then it’s going to be a great read. Can’t wait.
Not long to wait now, Andy. Did Lauren say how she got on with Ravens Gathering?
Congrats, my friend. That’s a lot of hard work. Awaiting more news. Again, absolutely love the cover!
Glad you’re still with me on this, Sarah. It’s been a long haul! I’m now 2/3rds of the way into the read-through. A few tweaks have been made, but nothing significant. Be interesting to find out whether it’s been worth all the effort.
Hope life is treating you well in these interesting times.
Wow, so much work! well done Graeme, I’m looking forward to reading it, I loved Ravens Gathering!
These things don’t just write themselves, you know! It has been hard work, Sam, but there’s been a lot of fun along the way, and I’m hoping it’ll be a fun read too – yes, there is some humour in there too. I’m particularly pleased with a couple of the minor characters who show up. Might have to use them again some time.