What No one Tells You About Editing a Novel (Part 2)
A Mosh Pit of Emotions
“I want every girl in the world to pick up a guitar and start screaming.”—Courtney Love
**If you’re new to Mourning Pages, welcome! I am Penny Zang, an author and English professor. My debut novel, Doll Parts, will be published in 2025. You can add it on Goodreads. Thanks for being here!**
Last time on Mourning Pages: Distracting, Joyful Glimmers
What Kind of Zombie Are You?
That was the original title of this newsletter. Lately, I’m Eyes Burning in Front of My Computer Screen Zombie, but also Lack of Sleep Zombie.
Which means…I’m in my second round of edits for Doll Parts. It’s so so thrilling. It’s what I’ve been manifesting since I was seven. It’s also incredibly stressful and overwhelming. Mostly because of my self-induced middle of the night realization that, oh shit, people are actually going to read this someday so I better make it perfect.
In Part 1 of What No one Tells You About Editing A Novel, I came to some important realizations about editing at this stage. Mostly, I didn’t have have much to say because I needed to get back to those edits and meet my deadline.
What has changed this time around: well, I think I have even less to say. Nothing poetic or insightful at least. I’m using up all my brain energy elsewhere. Apologies from an Editing Zombie.
But since I have always loved reading behind-the-scenes glimpses of how other authors and artists tackle a large project, I’ll share the details currently worth sharing at this stage of edits.
(And even if you aren’t a paid subscriber, you can catch glimpses of my process via social media: Twitter and Instagram/Threads mostly).
But if you are considering becoming a paid subscriber, thank you for that, as well.
What No One Tells You About Editing a Novel, continued
Second round of edits is a mosh pit of emotions.
Not a glass case of emotions. A mosh pit. All the feelings kicking and shoving and head butting against each other. In general, I prefer to stand outside the pit and observe the chaos rather than participate inside it. No, that’s not even true. I hate watching chaos. Picture me moonwalking further and further away from the moshing. I’m not even one of the grungy cheerleaders on the sidelines. I’m all the way back at the bar.
I once lost the fashionably tied shirt around my waist in a mosh pit. Once got kicked in the head by a crowd surfer. I never had the right kind of boots for being stepped on.
It’s a lot. And I love my edits, love how keenly my editor gets this project, love what the novel is shaping out to be. But overwhelm and imposter syndrome and perfectionism have jumped into the pit, too.
Talking it out actually helps
Who knew? Not this INFJ, Enneagram 9. Quick emails and Zoom chats with my editor during this round have been so helpful, just as it was helpful during the first round.
The support has always been there and I am leaning into it more and more. I think this element of collaboration, resulting in so much creative synergy, is my favorite part of the process.
Sometimes things get messier first
I know this about drafting, how messy a scene or chapter can get before the polish and shine. It’s true about editing a novel, too. Go figure.
As I tweak language and images, as I rearrange a scene that isn’t working yet, I’m streamlining, but I’m also messing with transitions and connections that will need to get fixed later.
Again, I can’t stress enough how much I enjoy editing. Revision over first drafting any day. The stakes feel a bit higher this time around, though. I’m making something that others are going to read. I don’t even know what emoji to use in this case.
So much else is going on behind the scenes that I’ll have updates on in the coming months. Pub dates and book covers and a co-agent for film/TV that I can’t wait to announce.
I hope you’re enjoying the warmer weather. We’re just beginning the sticky season in the South, which means bigger hair all around.
As always, thank you for subscribing and reading.
—Penny