I have the first pass back from my developmental editor. As expected, I was raked over the coals. I'm not upset, however, because I deserved it. What is starting to emerge from the rubble is a much clearer storyline, with a massive reduction in noise.
My first pass over the comments wound up removing a bit over 5,000 words from the story.
My second pass is in progress. I have added about 2,000 words back, and expect to and another 1,000
Already, even though I am far from finished, I am much happier with the product. Things move along much more steadily, and a bunch of superfluous garbage has been hauled to the metaphorical curb.
I expect another week to get throug this pass. It is not a terribly easy thing to do. But nothing worthwhile is, right?
A second pass (to see where I screwed up while fixing my screw-ups) should be a bit easier. Mostly because I will have gotten rid of the worst offenders this time.
So progress is slow, but it is being made. Another tale is making itself ready, and sooner than you realize, we will once again be sharing and evening or two off in a far-flung land.
Until we meet again,
Keep dreaming