Editing Blues

I never wanted to be an editor but it is a vital part of writing.

Editing is so important. There are so many things to check that they can't all be done at the same time. Each time I go through the book I deal with a couple of facets so it is coming together piece by piece. It is so hard to know what to cut and what to keep. Like a jump off in a horse show, cutting out some parts makes for tighter corners and faster pacing, Then there is the trick of balancing. Telling keeps the narrative moving, showing pulls the reader in and dialogue must be natural and relevant.

The settings and characters have to be great but not slow the pace down with too much unnecessary detail.

Snow stunning snow

Weather has ruled the forest this week with twenty four hours of continuous snow. Dog walking has been made difficult by swirling snow or deep drifts but the beauty of the snow laden trees is exquisite.

After all that snow the temperature rose and it thawed swiftly in an afternoon. Normally it would take several days. Today the walking was made tricky by having to skirt the remaining drifts and avoid the miniture ponds from the melt. it was like walking on a soggy sponge.

Editing Mystery

I have started the first edit of my first Intrepid Pony book, but as it has evolved into a mystery I'll have to add in characters, clues and extra settings. I believe my writing has improved greatly in the last six months so I do not want to publish it before the whole work is polished.

My blog is an eclectic mix of stories, interviews, updates on the progress of the Intrepid pony books and records of my travels on the canals with my husband and Lurcher.

I love writing but as the cruising season looms I realise I am poorly prepared to tweet and blog on the boat. The problems are as follows:

1. We only have limited electricity generated by our batteries.
2. I have an oldish lap top and I prefer to use the main computer.
3. I can't access the internet with my mobile  phone .
4. I can't afford a new blackberry at the moment.
5. I haven't a clue where the wii fi hotspots are, but they are unlikely to be where we choose to moor for the evening.
6. The new marina my husband has chosen is lovely but has no wii fi.

This will leave me trying to communicate, blog and tweet with insufficient or patchy internet coverage. One solution could be to cruise from one pub with wii fi to the next. It will be fun trying. At least I'll be able to write my blog, I'll publish it when I can. Please bear with me as post could end up being a famine followed by a feast.
Wish me luck and happy cruising on nb Third Time Lucky.

The canals are calling.

We (my husband and I) are moving our boat to a new location in May so will have new canals only a few days cruise from the new marina.
Hopefully there will be fun and adventures in the Northern network. Our cruises are normally enlivened by our loopy lurcher who adores the waterways.
Last week she had an animated conversation with a swan while I cowered against the fence. She woofed, the swan hissed in her face and I called her back. She returned wagging her tail unaware of the danger she had been in.
Perhaps she thought the swan was being friendly when it waggled its tail back at her.

This year I hope to research a book about cruising the canals from Lottie's persective.