Subject: Writing the First Draft is For You, Editing is for the Reader

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Writing the First Draft is For You, Editing is for the Reader


13 December 2016
Oakland, CA


Dear Friend,

I know editing your novel can feel overwhelming, confusing, and a downright hair-pulling experience. I know it did for me at first. Especially the overwhelming part.

So much to keep track of. Where to begin? And the one that haunted me at night… Is this book any good?

So I put off editing for months and months, and even years. At some point I realized that I’d never get my book really done if I didn’t actually face the bugaboo monster of editing. 

So I turned and faced the mountainous task. 

And I realized I was facing in the wrong direction. 

I was so focused on myself and that wasn’t working.

The end product wasn’t for me, not really. It was for the reader.


=> More on how to focus on your reader here. (A meditative exercise for you.)

=> We also go in depth on how to edit in our upcoming EDIT YOUR NOVEL Intensive that starts January 2, 2017.

In our 4-week course, we'll:

  • Do assessments to know where you are currently (Week 1)
  • Offer quizzes for self-insight (Week 1)
  • Focus on Plot, Pacing, and Story Structure (Week 2)
  • Focus on Characters and Emotions (Week 3)
  • Focus on Word Choice, Grammar, Punctuation, and Story Metaphor (Week 4)

If you're ready for support, guidance, education, and feedback on your novel, I invite you to join us for our EDIT YOUR NOVEL Intensive that starts January 2, 2017.

MORE DETAILS
We’ll be teaching a 30-day writing challenge course on editing your novel.

In this intensive bootcamp course, you will read and edit your novel in four passes.

By the time you have completed this EDIT YOUR NOVEL bootcamp, you will have an edited book that you can present to your critique partners, beta readers, or an agent or editor.


3 Early Bird Bonuses if you register by this Friday,
 Dec. 16th, 9pm PT

Bonus #1: Handbook on Editing

How to Beat the Critique: The Aspiring Author’s Guide to Prepare Your First Novel for a Dynamite Critique (Handbook and Guide) by Carol Malone (Author, Editor and Writing Coach in Training) (PDF format)

Bonus #2: Book by Editors on the Fatal Flaws in Fiction

5 Editors Tackle the 12 Fatal Flaws of Fiction Writing by C.S. Lakin (author of sixteen novels and five writing craft books)

Bonus #3: A Video Critique & Edit of Up to 500 Words of Your Manuscript

A hit in Beth’s classes, Beth will edit up to 500 words of your novel and video it — just for you.

All the details are here:
http://30daywritingchallengefornovelists.bethbarany.com/


A word on readiness: I know that you need to be ready to take your next step in your author career. Hit reply and let me know what you are ready for, whatever that may be. Or you can comment here.

And here's to your learning and success!

If you're ready, you can sign up for our February and March editing classes, because editing takes a while. ;)

Writing in Difficult Times
The other day was slow going. I was grumpy. I kind of felt like a cross between Oscar The Grouch -- angry at myself and the world -- and Eeyore -- so dang sad. 

But I used my super power of focus, useful self-talk, and timers, and got 1600+ words written in Book 2 in my Janey McCallister Space Station Mystery. About half of my daily desired word count. I'm happy with my progress. And I made a meme.

How is your writing going? Share here.

Have a Happy and Creative Week!

And thanks for showing up for yourself and doing your creative work!

All our best,
Beth & Ezra

PS. Yes! You can still grab you complimentary pass to the Publishing Success Summit, hosted by Eric Van Der Hope, of which I am one of the 65+ guests. Register here for this free event going on until Dec. 18th:
http://publishingsuccesssummit.com/



beth@bethbarany.com

Barany School of Fiction

Writer's Fun Zone blog



If there are resources you'd like to support your novel writing career, but don't see on my blog, products, school, or 12-month author group coaching program, hit reply and let me know. I'm always creating new courses and products for you, so that you can inspire the world.


ABOUT US
Beth and Ezra Barany are award-winning, best-selling novelists, with 20 books and 6 awards to their name. They are teachers who have worked with over 100 authors to help them get their books written and published and into the hands of their readers.

Happily married for over 16 years, we’re passionate about writing, storytelling, and guiding authors to achieve their dreams.

 We offer coaching, change work sessions, book marketing coaching (Beth) and cover design (Ezra), all for genre novelists. More at bethbarany.com. 

To explore how Beth can support you, schedule a 1-hour complimentary Discovery Call here: http://bit.ly/AppmtWithBeth.

WHAT I DO + WHY

I support writers and aspiring authors through classes and workshops, articles, books, group programs, and consultations with private clients.

I also help authors because I walk my talk; everything I or my teachers teach is based in real experience and matured through the school of hard knocks.

I believe that the creative life works better with play and love, so with playful joy, I offer you goodies to support you in your writer's adventure.


ABOUT BETH BARANY

An award-winning novelist, certified creativity coach and Master NLP Practitioner, Beth runs Writer's Fun Zone, a blog for and by writers, and her recently launched school for novelists, the Barany School of Fiction.

Beth writes young adult (YA) fantasy and contemporary fantasy romance. She also writes how-to books and courses for novelists, including her home study coaching guide, The Writer's Adventure Guide: 12 Stages to Writing Your Book, a Hero's Journey adaption with you the author as the hero in your own adventure of writing your book.


In her downtime, Beth reads, colors, watches movies with her sweetie, travels, and has coffee with friends and family. And plays with her cat, gardens, and walks. And sleeps. She loves sleep.


Photo Credit: by c. 2014 Vivienne McMaster

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