Toward a more polished novel.
Writing is relatively easy; revisions and editing, on the other hand, are not for the faint of heart. Many elements need to be just right: sentence structure, tense, setting, characters, pace, flow, and consistency of the plot. But let's not forget dialogue, spelling, punctuation and grammar. I could name a host of other elements important to polish in a manuscript, but I'll spare you.
The one element I'm discovering that cannot be emphasized enough is show, don't tell. This final element enables the reader to experience the story through actions, words, subtext, thoughts, senses, and emotions. Exposition and description can rapidly become boring and fail to keep a reader immersed in the story. I believe it is essential that the reader connects with the story and its characters on a deeper level.
When I started writing this first novel, everything seemed rather straightforward: write the story and get to the end. Then my eyes opened to what it would take for me to bring this book to a polished product worthy of being read. Learning a craft later in life is a challenge, but one I was more than willing to accept. I now have great admiration for professional editors.
Of course, help and encouragement have been given to me throughout, and that has been a boon that has kept me afloat while I navigated the sometimes rough and choppy waters of learning on the go. Now, I have until October to send the manuscript to my potential future publisher, with the hope that it will be at a level they can work with.
A final thought, separate from the above, yet always a major factor as I continue on my path as a writer. Despite the ongoing anti-trans movement in the U.S., the U.K. and even here in Canada, which does have a chilling effect on many in the Trans community, including me, I feel it is even more à propos to use my voice and push forward with writing about trans women heroines. Silence is not an option, and I refuse to be complicit through inaction and fear of reprisals.
If all goes well, my debut psychological thriller could be launched by October 2026, with one or two sequels to follow.
Joelle
