I have just finished inputting the line edit changes to chapter 3 of my third story The Crusader’s Hoard. At times I want to pull all my hair out, strand by strand, rather than complete this part of the process. But when I finish a chapter and I know the changes are “in” and ready to go, I feel a weight lifts off my shoulders and I can breathe a little lighter and anticipate what I’m going to have for lunch to celebrate.

My favorite part of creating a new book is the writing the first draft. Then comes creating a cover and working on my website because these are all creative things that feed my soul.

Next must be the formatting of the ebook because I get to see my story changed into a book. And that is almost as great as the writing itself because a story comes to life and exists not only in my mind but also in the real world where readers live.

Last and at the very end of the line is the editing process. I don’t mind the first edits where I’m checking to make sure my story holds water, moving about parts of the story if needed to serve the greater good. But getting down to the very end, polishing right to the final moment, that friends is my least favorite and most agonizing part of the process.

But with it comes a new draft, the perfect press, where all is revealed in all its glory. The first chance a story gets to sing, and fly the nest. This is the last time I will wander through the pages looking for missing words, inserting those words and following the story for errors.

But 1/4 of the way sounds pretty good – the first 10 kms of a marathon. Perhaps the easiest or the hardest depending on how you view it. The key is to proceed slowly, taking all the time in the world to perfect the story and make it as shiny as possible because rushing through only serves to defeat the whole purpose. Focus is what’s needed and a nice lunch.