Finished! At least for this round.

Today I finished going through the first major edit of SANDWORMS OF DUNE.

90 chapters, about 630 pages. In the past month I've been working through the manuscript, reading Brian's chapters for the first time, rereading my original chapters in the context of what he's written and how they fit in the overall pattern of the whole book.

This go-round is like trudging through the underbrush with a map and a compass, making a clear path. Once Brian and I have each made that path, the next time through it gets clearer, easier, better defined. Sometimes we need to make a detour or build an unexpected bridge. Each time, the book gets better and better.

Brian and I have been talking on the phone daily. He's really getting up a head of steam on the next edit of HUNTERS, and we've been brainstorming nuances and ideas for each book. Next, I study the detailed outline again and again, now that I have the whole novel in my head, to see if all the timing works; then I'll make some important revisions to certain chapters.

In a couple of days, I start all over again from Chapter 1. I should be able to complete another edit of the manuscript before Brian and I trade books in the middle of December.

And again. And again. As many times as it takes.

--KJA

Next Entry (December 4, 2005)