The average reader, reader, has no idea how much time and effort goes into the book that we carelessly scan online, on the bookshelf or at the news agency while standing in line, waiting to buy a paper or get the lotto on.

I have been fortunate to connect with many published and yet to be published authors via the WWW and I’ve read blog after blog regarding the editing process. Editing had turned into an ugly monster that must be vanquished.

My book, that began with such excitement, became a horrid thing that I was afraid to look at. Would I have to re-write every single line, rework every single scene?

I admit that I became almost paralysed  with fear. Reason tells me reader, that this is just a process, just as writing the first draft was a process, sit, write, don’t stop, let it flow. I can do that, have done that. So why not the process of editing and polishing?

Well reader, after months of reading articles, books, blogs and other writers opinions, I know it isn’t ever going to actually help me get this thing from a rough pencil sketch to a beautiful painting.

So an action plan seemed to be what was required here, and I began, first page, first line, read it out loud, listen to the words, rhythm and harmony. Then begin, and I did. The polishing is underway. The darkness of inaction has given way to a beautiful new day.

Well the dust has settled reader and the first draft has been pulled out of the “proving” pile and I’ve began reading.

All I can say reader is that I am so glad I let it sit a while. As “On the River Bank” (working title) is my first completed manuscript, I wasn’t really sure about letting it sit for a bit. All I knew was that until 5.30am this morning I wasn’t ready to look at it.

I was too afraid that if I read through it, it might be dreadful and then I’d have to throw away all those words, all those hours, all that thinking!

But now, having read the first 5 chapters, I am so happy to say I’m liking it. Of course, as you would rightly assume reader, I am spotting inconsistencies and glaring holes, spelling mistakes and dismal grammar, but I am resisting the urge to start fixing, and am just going to read it first. If, and I emphasis “IF” I can’t keep the red pen away, I shall just jot notes and come back.

Now my reading has pointed out something quite alarming reader, and it’s all about Maddison Barker Trent, my lovey heroin. Who is she? What are the things we will notice about her? As I read I start to wonder, did I describe her hair, what she looks like? I can’t remember! So this leads me into the sticky depths of “Character Development”. I’ve done short courses, long courses, read reams of writing tips and books on writing, but I haven’t actually got a mental picture of my girl!

To start, I have an age, then a nationality and even her social class, but now I need to get a clear picture of who she is. So I’ve scrolled through pictures and movie star articles looking for the right fit for my mental picture of Maddy.

I think Emma Watson fits the bill.

Then we move on to motivation, what motivates a girl of 18 to leave all that she knows and travel thousands of miles across dangerous seas to set up a new life. Admittedly reader, she begins the planning with her family, but as the story unfolds she is left alone. Her new neighbours and the community expect that she shall return to England, that she should. But she doesn’t, why doesn’t she?

She leaves everything familiar, the soft English landscape,

to battle the dry hard environment of New South Wales.

Maddy is feisty and impulsive, brave and a little bit reckless. She fights for the underdog and disregards society’s opinion of her choices. She’s also honest and caring, but her heart rules her head, that’s why she gets herself into so much trouble.

Here it is, Tuesday already and I totally forgot to post anything yesterday. Life snuck off and left me behind.

So, as I’ve really done very little writing (that means NOTHING reader) I thought I’d share a little of my routine with you. I always intend to stick to a proper constructive routine, but usually it goes out the window pretty quickly. And this is what I end up with! Enjoy 🙂

6am – Alarm goes off, bash alarm clock snooze button, head under quilt.

7am – Dave rings me to offer a cheery good morning, I mumble that I’m asleep and promise to ring back as soon as I’m not.

7.10am – Bladder alarm goes off and I stumble out of bed.

7.15am – Jug on for coffee, into shower and then the phone should ring with Dave calling to tell me of something funny, or annoying, or that he’s broken down.

7.30am – Make coffee, finish ablutions, ring Dave back.

8am – Walk dogs, shiver until I sweat and then go inside to warm house and decided the house is too warm.

9am – Breakfast, washing on, tidy house (sometimes).

10am – Into the office, check emails, get distracted by facebook and weight watchers websites.

11am – Panic, check emails again and then begin doing overdue invoicing, or data entry.

11.03am – Phone rings, explain to caller that we don’t transport fence panels/ride on mowers, pushbikes . . . that they may buy on ebay!

11.07am – Phone rings, good friend with interesting story/pressing need/family drama. Virtuously hang washing, pick up dog poo, haul firewood and fold washing while chatting.

12pm – Lunch time, this is a good time to decide that it’s much easier to cook a big pot of stew/soup/risotto and have a few meals ready for the next day or so!

1.30pm – Phone rings, Dave, wondering how I’m getting on! Evade topic of bookkeeping and begin photocopying industriously!

3pm – Afternoon tea, nothing in the cupboard, make some cookies so I have healthy gluten free snacks for a few days.

4pm – Coffee/Tea and eat half of fresh home made warm chocolate chip cookies!

4.30pm – Bring in washing, stoke fire, wonder what to have for dinner, not that hungry, but know if I don’t have something decent I’ll start cooking at 9.39pm.

5pm – Collect eggs, ring Dave and tell him how I just couldn’t get focused today, moan about how disorganised I am and then discuss how I don’t really know where our finances are in the business as I’ve had a crazy day of getting no where for no good reason!

5.30pm – Time Team

6.30pm – Time Team and eat whatever is left over from earlier cooking spree.

7.30 pm – Scan channels.

9.30/10.30/11.30pm – depending on what’s on telly, ring Dave to say goodnight, go to bed with a firm resolve to catch up tomorrow, oh and do some writing! Writing is a must!!!!