The first round of edits to the A Beautiful Hell manuscript are completed and I’m about to print another copy and send it to my editor.  He likes to be able to ‘write in the margins.’  No new-fangled electronic file for him, nosiree.

I have to admit I was very surprised at the ease with which I surrendered something so personal as my own writing over to someone.  For the sole purpose of lending a cold, critical eye, no less.  And did he ever. I was equally surprised at his suggestions, corrections, and several deletions making for a much improved work.  What a gift it is to have another set of eyes on something I am, I have no problem admitting, too close to to see clearly.  Forest for the trees, and all that stuff.

This afternoon I finished the final story—and one that will only see the light of day in the final book.  It’s my favorite one so far, and I think it does a good job of tying everything together.  On that note, that transition from writing for a blog to writing a book was rather on the clumsy side if you ask me.  I’ve learned a lot and look forward to seeing this project completed and available on Amazon within the next thirty days.

While my editor takes another pass I’ll be turning my energy towards the design of the book cover and back.  Wish me luck.