Some may remember I revised the opening to Members of the Cast 80 times and quit counting. The book was “finished.” During the revisions, the book was out to agents. I had a request for more once and one request for a full. (No agent thought they could sell the book to a publisher.)
My current book, Whitney Tate, a Murder Mystery, was “finished” on June 13, 2025. Yay. I didn’t type The End. If I had a “last word” at the time would have been The Beginning.
In the months that followed, I read it. Listened to it in “computer talk,” and tried to fix things: plot flaws, flat scenes and chapters. Then I uploaded it to KDP and asked for proof copies for some Beta Readers. I have no Beta reports yet, but Ruth got a copy on her computer. She didn’t like the first chapter. I wasn’t surprised, but hoped I was wrong, and it was solid. It wasn’t.
The chapter was 277 words, and those words had lots of jobs, but that’s no excuse for the clumsy execution of the information. So, I worked on it, off and on, for a week. The result is 247 words. The technical term is, “It is tighter.” The good part is that Ruth thinks it is better. Notice she didn’t say it is ready for the big lights.
So, when will the book be done? Adhering to my 5% writing and 95% revising rule—not right away. But there is no hurry. I mean, what is the point of releasing a book that I know has weak spots?
