My Editing Struggles and Progress So Far
If you’re wondering what’s going on with Project Elementals 2, don’t worry—here’s the latest editing update.
The book is still very much alive. I’ve just set it aside for my annual novel writing marathon in November, and I’ll be back to editing it in December. I thought this would be the perfect chance to give you a peek at how the editing process is going and what’s in store for the story.
Editing: The Struggle is Real
Let’s be honest—editing and I have never exactly been best friends. I know it’s necessary for creating a great book, but I still find it hard to break down the process into clear, manageable steps. As a visual learner, I feel like I’ve never been shown how to do it in a way that clicks for me. Each time I start editing, it’s like diving into the deep end without much of a guide and hoping I’m headed in the right direction.
With every book, my editing stages have gotten longer. On one hand, it’s a good sign because I’m learning more about what makes a story strong. But on the other hand, I find myself dreading it more each time. And that’s when task paralysis kicks in, and I procrastinate to avoid tackling that mountain of notes and feedback.
That’s exactly where I am with Project Elementals 2 right now. My alpha readers gave me some fantastic feedback, but the edits were huge, messy, and took a lot out of me. Now, with my beta reader feedback, I don’t have as many big changes, but there’s still a lot, and I’m staring at a giant list of little things to tweak. The sheer volume is overwhelming, and most days, I just don’t know where to start.
The Challenge of Small Edits (and Why They’re Not Really Small)
“Small” edits can be deceptively time-consuming. Going through my beta reader feedback, there are tons of minor adjustments. Everything from tweaking character dialogue to adding more internal thoughts and scene descriptions. Each change doesn’t seem like much on its own, but together, they add up to a huge job.
And that’s where task paralysis kicks in. Some days, I just look at the list and have no idea where to begin. Do I dive into character adjustments first? Or work chapter by chapter? It’s like trying to solve a puzzle where every piece is connected to another, and sometimes even one tiny change feels like it could throw everything off.
How I’m Breaking Down the Process (or Trying To)
To tackle the overwhelm, I’ve been experimenting with breaking the edits down chapter by chapter. Right now, I’m focused on the immediate feedback first. Then I’ll go back and add more description, internal thoughts, and sensory details. By zeroing in on one aspect at a time, I’m hoping to keep things from feeling too overwhelming.
This method is still a massive work in progress, but it works. For now.
What’s Next for Project Elementals 2
Once I make it through these edits, Project Elementals 2 will be so much closer to the finish line. My plan is to complete this round of beta reader edits to get the book polished and cohesive, then move on to final edits. After that, it’ll be time to start thinking about hiring my editor, setting a release date, and all those exciting pre-launch details.
I know it’s been a journey. I appreciate you for sticking with me (and for sticking with me through this editing update for Project Elementals 2). This story has grown so much from where it started, and I’m excited for you to see the finished version. Your support really makes a difference on those days when I’m knee-deep in edits and wondering if I’ll ever reach the top.
How do you tackle big projects when they start to feel overwhelming? Share your tips (or any words of encouragement!) in the comments!
Raine