7. The End (Of Editing) Is Nigh

They say that the first 80% of a work takes 20% of the time. I thought they were joking… Turns out they were completely right!

Outlining The World That Was took two months and writing the first draft took half a year. But editing, 18 months!

Granted, there has been some time in there to let the story percolate in my brain. And play video games or finally read a book other than my own! I’ve also learnt to make hardcover editions and had to wait for copies to reach test readers scattered across the globe.

But after all that time, the book is almost ready for the next stage. Test readers have provided invaluable feedback and the book is much improved on the first “zeroth edition” copies that were sent out in late 2020.

I’ve set myself a deadline for 27 January. Two years to the day that I started work on my first draft. That will be the day that I send out my first proper query letter.

I’ve already written and rewritten it several dozen times. I’ve had to beat my hand away from hitting send prematurely. But we’re getting close. Bring on a new challenge!