24 July 2009

148,000 words -- hence the term "Dead Tree Book"

On the first pass I trimmed it from 175,000 words to 150,000.
On the second pass, I only managed to cut another 2,000 words.

Thusly does today mark the start of



I'm going adverb hunting today...I've cut a huge chunk of unnecessary adverbs in dialog attributions--she said quietly, he said menacingly--but I'm sure there are tons within the narrative. The thing with adverbs is that they help when writing, they're not so wonderful for the reader. Being able to write concisely without overusing adverbs is one of my weaknesses, but I'm working on it.

This isn't another attempt at trimming the word count--which it will do to s point--but rather an attempt to tighten it up before handing it over to the editor, who is MEAN and likes to MAKE ME CRY. When all is said and done she'll either find 13,000 things wrong with it and tell me where I can cut 30,000 words, or it will wind up being a longer than average book.

Sometimes it takes a little longer than normal to tell a story. As long as it doesn't turn out to be a wonder cure for insomnia, long is okay.

Back to work...after lunch and perhaps a scooter ride to Walmart for cauliflower and cottage cheese. And maybe after I do the dishes. And the laundry.

But I'll get right to it ASAP!