Ok, I lied a little.

Writing a book is not necessarily easy. But it's the part that comes the quickest when one is in that flow state. You know, that part where the words are coming from somewhere otherworldly? Like, you come back and read it later and don't remember writing it, but you smile because you're proud of how you strung a few words together while in a weird trance?

Well, it wasn't always like that, but when it was, it was a pretty cool feeling.

I've been in phase one of revisions for the last couple months and this is the hard part. I've been working with my old friend George Verongos, who I have known since the early '90s. Our indie/punk bands used to play shows together (he's a machine on drums, I tell you!). He runs Literary Services, and he has written and edited more books than I have probably read in my entire life. I trust him implicitly, and he is super patient, supportive, and direct about things.

And thorough.

He was able to see plot holes where I overlooked them, even besting me at my own world building and storytelling. At first, there is that indignation, shaking my fist at the sky in defiance. "WHAT? How dare he tell me my own character's motivation! How DARE he tell me a plot device isn't working! How... DARE HE!" (Really, there was no fist shaking or defiance, just a quiet sense of failure that I think all authors feel when they get back their first round of edits).

Yet, somehow George manages to balance the feedback with this nurturing, positive, and encouraging overtone. Like, "Hey buddy, I see you, and I see what you're trying to do, and we'll get there together, ok?"

And we will, I can feel it. And as I work through his suggestions, questions, and sometimes hilarious observations, I see it taking shape. Changing from this digital story vomit into something more cohesive, something with more meaning, emotion and clarity. And it's energizing.

I am about halfway through my read-through edits now, and this is proving to be the part where I have the biggest mental block. The whole "don't be afraid to kill your darlings" thing is real. And it's hard to shake that fear. Admitting that a section of prose you were super proud of, or a joke you liked but didn't land well are best removed from the manuscript is hard. But you've got to trust in the process and it will come together. At least that is what I am finding out.

So, a huge thanks to George and his patience, professionalism, and wellspring of experience for helping me navigate this first novel of mine. If you're looking for an editor, I highly recommend him.