So.
My developmental editor started working on my debut novel Mark of the Champion at the end of June. In addition to editing, she also works for a grocery chain, so I knew the edits would take longer. I received bi-weekly updates on her progress, and so far everything’s gone well, with minimal speed bumps. She had a bad cold for a few days (not Covid-related), but reached the middle of the manuscript around the second week in August.
While she juggled editing and her day job, I grew uneasy about my book. Specifically, I was concerned about my main character, Sheila.
In June, I hired a Native Hawaiian sensitivity reader to analyze my other principal character, Keoki, and point out inaccuracies or sore spots regarding Hawaiian culture and history. It was money well spent - the analysis was very thorough, and I made several significant changes to my portrayal of Keoki and the Hawaiian people.
With the sensitivity read complete, and after I incorporated the notes and suggestions into the sixth draft, I felt it was time for the developmental edit. I’d already developed a connection with my editor when she beta-read an early draft of MOTC. So in my excitement over having my edits completed before the pros went through it, I sent my manuscript to her. So far she hasn’t found many significant issues.
At the same time though, the uneasiness started. I slowly realized I hadn’t done my due diligence for the main character, who was my reason for writing the book in the first place! Sheila Berenger is mixed-race: half-white, one-quarter Mexican, and one-quarter Native American. I, on the other hand, am whiter than a lens flare in a J.J. Abrams movie. I knew then that I needed to hire another SR.
Fortunately, I’d also developed a rapport with the new sensitivity reader on Instagram - we bonded over our love for composition books and PaperMate Ink Joy gel pens. She also has a heritage similar to Sheila’s. I contacted her via DM and explained my situation, then asked if it was too late for a second sensitivity read. She said there was still time, and she began her read-through of MOTC on August 21.
While waiting for updates from either the editor or the SR, I preoccupied myself with other projects. I began assembling a YouTube video - something I haven’t done in close to a year due to family members’ medical issues - and I read a lot, both fiction and craft books.
As the end of the month drew closer, I grew concerned. Neither the editor nor the SR had given me a status report since the middle of August.
Then my editor sent me an email with the reason for the silence - she’s moving to a new apartment, and had to pack up her entire place to move across town on the allotted day. That meant she would need a couple weeks to unpack and get things settled before resuming editing in mid-September.
Then my SR contacted me on Instagram to tell me why the reading was going slow - she’s expecting a child, but she’s also had complications. Her doctor put her on a new medication regimen, so I hope she’ll feel stronger soon. In the meantime, both delays are actually fortunate, because there is a good chance I will receive the editor’s notes and the SR’s notes at about the same time. I’ll be able to make the needed changes in one pass, rather than two.
In the meantime, I’ve started assembling a book trailer for Mark of the Champion. It will take months to finish, in part because the template I purchased for the trailer is an Adobe After Effects file. Even though I know a bit of how After Effects works, I’ve had trouble expanding sections of the premade composition to alter its components (like an overall gold tint).
I’m sure I’ll figure it out eventually - then the sound of “Oh! DUH!” will echo through the halls.
The Wilder Life
After months of building things (like the micro-studio shed, and the temporary work table next to the shed) that he then used to build the things he wanted in the first place, Fred finally completed his custom artist’s easel on the last day in August. The photo below shows the incomplete easel - I asked if I could take a picture when it was completely assembled, but he didn’t want to show the completed easel until there was a painted canvas mounted on it, with maybe a few paint drips on the easel itself. I felt that was fair - it was his easel, built with his own hands, so he decides who sees it.
I’m glad he can stop constructing things in 95-degree heat for a while. Each time he goes outside to work, he wears a long-sleeve shirt, knee-high socks and work jeans. We bought a pack of Velcro strips so Fred could cinch the pant cuffs at the ankle. Why all the special gear? Well, he discovered the hard way (after our doctor confirmed what was happening) that when Fred wore shorts outside to work, his legs were being assaulted by “ankle-biter” mosquitoes that travelled from Mexico and made their home in California. His poor legs were covered in sores and bites, and it took a lot of cortisone cream to keep the itching at bay. I’m happy to report he’s recovered now.
Writing News
Yes, I know, the entire first article was writing news. But I wanted to post an update about the most important items on my checklist:
Begin crafting outline (again) for Book Two in the Unified Realms series
Commission character art and a book cover
Record a YouTube video (and post by Friday)
Purchase book trailer template
Renew our DBA and make a new DBA for our publishing imprint
Sort/shred papers
Pare down wardrobe
Enter receipts in finance tracking application
I completed a grand total of two items (they’re the ones in bold) from my essential checklist. Okay, one and a half, since I haven’t completed the YouTube video yet. I still need to add lower thirds and other whiz-bang effects. I’ll send a special notification when it’s ready.
Highlight of the Month
This month’s highlight is…THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP!
While Fred and I were competing for the title of Most Hermity Hermit 2021, I received a message from our wonderful friend Courtney, who starred in both my fan film and Fred’s work-in-progress feature. She’s travelled all around America and the world, and stopped in California to hang out with many friends in many places.
After staying in our house for over a year, even cave-dwellers like me and Fred like to see friends occasionally. So we set a date to have dinner with her and Tracy, Courtney’s best buddy and our friend as well. We sat in a spacious, reasonably social-distanced booth at Denny’s and shot the sh*t for a good couple hours. Afterwards, we engaged in some photographic shenanigans.
It’s good to know that when it seems like the world is falling apart, we have fantastic friends that help us keep it together.
Do you have friends that helped you stay sane during this stubborn pandemic? Tell me about them in the comments!
Thank you for reading!
You can learn more about me and my works in progress, including a character gallery, biography, and the first eight pages of Mark of the Champion at my author website, candyglynnwilder.com.
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