Monday, December 29, 2008

Confession # 6 - Editing is Harder than I Thought

I set the goal of finishing editing my novel before winter break ended and I had to start up college again. I'm still working 40 hours a week, however, so I only work in the evenings and on the weekend.

I found this great add-on to the Firefox Browser. It's called Leech Blocker, and you can configure it to block websites from yourself during certain times. Not only can you block the websites from yourself, but you can even block access to your preferences at certain times, so you don't fall into the habit of just turning off the blocker.

It's been enormously helpful in not letting me waste time. Even still, I'm only on page 50 of editing.

Page 50! Over three weeks! I have never edited this slow in my life, but for the first time it's quality, not quantity.

My agent (is it okay that I still get happy when I say that?) advises to bring the word count from 63,000 up to 80,000 words if possible. Right now I'm hovering at 65,500 because I add a new paragraph and delete the old paragraph upon which it was based.

I am also seeking a new title. Right now it's between Cristable and Antebellum. Cast your votes by commenting! So far, to the people I've asked in person, it's Antebellum by a 100% landslide. What is your opinion?

10 comments:

Mathilda said...

Neither of Cristable and Antebellum makes any sense to me (still Swedish) but Antebellum sounds better, like something old but beautiful.

Oh, and thanks for the Leech Blocker, I needed it so bad ;P

Marie said...

Congratulations on landing an agent! My vote is for Antebellum - "Before (the) War," v. nice - as I like the way it sounds as a word and looks as a word, too. Nice and round.

Also, "Cristable" comes out like "Cristabelle" in my head, a terribly sparkly ... something.

Anonymous said...

Definately Antebellum.

So I have a question. I'm sure you've answered it before but do you ever think you will post the rest of Of Coffee and People on Fictionpress? Just wondering because I love the story and would really like to see the ending.

Jaden said...

Antebellum sounds good, but I'm afraid it might confuse Simple Folk, who will think the book is about a kind old lady named Bellum who visits her disagreeable nephew.

(Kaleb had a character named Aunty Bellum just for this purpose)

You could call it something like... Soylight. The vegetarian vampire book. ;)

- Jaden

Thing in the Coat said...

Of the two, I vote Antebellum, because I have no idea what a Christable is -- aside from that it sounds like something sparkly and possibly glued to diaries by eleven-year-olds -- or what relevance it has to the story in the three chapters I've read.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on getting an agent!!! I'm so excited for you! Can't wait till it gets published :D

btw I vote for Antebellum :D

Unknown said...

Check it out. http://www.boingboing.net/2009/03/02/amazon-supplier-lose.html

Emily said...

Love Antebellum. :-) Cute blog!

Anonymous said...

i somehow stumbled upon your blog...
and read a few posts.
personally.. i would vote Antebellum.

Unknown said...

yeah ventured on here from your little paolini post..

antebellum definitely