This was so interesting! And actually heartening to hear that even such a skilled author can work so long on editing to prep for submission. I know I learned more by editing my books than I did in the initial writing of them and I think editing was how I learned the craft. When I started writing it wasn't with any idea of getting an agent or publishing, I just wanted to write them down. Then I got addicted to editing them and making them as good as I could, and I think the thing of just doing it for myself meant I didn't hurry, I just wrote, edited, wrote, edited until I decided to query my fourth book. The whole thing of writing stories is such a magical process :-)
Thank you both for this! Jennie is so generous in her advice to other writers! I'm really encouraged to hear it took Jennie a good chunk of time to get her book ready for submission! I too have the joy of an agent who's happy to get really stuck in editorially, and to hear Jennie had a similar process is a great boost as I edit, edit, edit! Your story is the dream, Jennie!
I love this interview. Thanks again, Phoebe! Top drawer reading with my morning coffee!
My wife has both List and BBQ. So I am devouring BBQ (and what a great time to do so during a heatwave!) at the moment. Jennie’s writing is so engaging and crafted so well. It’s one of those books that I enjoy and at the same time I love unpicking the craft side of it. I’ve found it very inspirational for my own writing journey which is helping me get my first novel over the line. Especially as I am in my mid 40s and career job I need all the help I can get 😂
Enjoy the sunshine and hope your novel writing is going well, Phoebe, look forward to hearing more about it! Cheers
It’s so reassuring to hear that it took Jennie a year to edit her novel. I wrote my story, redrafted it twice then sat back and waited for agents to respond to my pitches for this wondrous book. Idly flicking through Substack (The Honest Editor, This Itch of Writing etc) I slowly realised how much more work it needed and felt horrified that I’d submitted such amateurish writing. Jennie is so right about learning your craft and I’ve been soaking up everything I can about psychic distance (I’d never heard of it), filtering (ditto) and lots more besides. I felt rather overwhelmed at first so I drew up a plan of attack, and I am now really enjoying the transformation of what I hope is a good story, albeit badly written, into something more promising.
This was so interesting! And actually heartening to hear that even such a skilled author can work so long on editing to prep for submission. I know I learned more by editing my books than I did in the initial writing of them and I think editing was how I learned the craft. When I started writing it wasn't with any idea of getting an agent or publishing, I just wanted to write them down. Then I got addicted to editing them and making them as good as I could, and I think the thing of just doing it for myself meant I didn't hurry, I just wrote, edited, wrote, edited until I decided to query my fourth book. The whole thing of writing stories is such a magical process :-)
This is so lovely - will definitely check out The Crow's Nest!
A fabulous and motivating interview. Indi bookshops, here I come.
Thank you for all you are and do, dear Jennie xx
Cheering on Jennie for Book Number Three! You're an inspiration, thank you both. Enjoy the sunshine!
Thank you both for this! Jennie is so generous in her advice to other writers! I'm really encouraged to hear it took Jennie a good chunk of time to get her book ready for submission! I too have the joy of an agent who's happy to get really stuck in editorially, and to hear Jennie had a similar process is a great boost as I edit, edit, edit! Your story is the dream, Jennie!
I love this interview. Thanks again, Phoebe! Top drawer reading with my morning coffee!
My wife has both List and BBQ. So I am devouring BBQ (and what a great time to do so during a heatwave!) at the moment. Jennie’s writing is so engaging and crafted so well. It’s one of those books that I enjoy and at the same time I love unpicking the craft side of it. I’ve found it very inspirational for my own writing journey which is helping me get my first novel over the line. Especially as I am in my mid 40s and career job I need all the help I can get 😂
Enjoy the sunshine and hope your novel writing is going well, Phoebe, look forward to hearing more about it! Cheers
It’s so reassuring to hear that it took Jennie a year to edit her novel. I wrote my story, redrafted it twice then sat back and waited for agents to respond to my pitches for this wondrous book. Idly flicking through Substack (The Honest Editor, This Itch of Writing etc) I slowly realised how much more work it needed and felt horrified that I’d submitted such amateurish writing. Jennie is so right about learning your craft and I’ve been soaking up everything I can about psychic distance (I’d never heard of it), filtering (ditto) and lots more besides. I felt rather overwhelmed at first so I drew up a plan of attack, and I am now really enjoying the transformation of what I hope is a good story, albeit badly written, into something more promising.
Mine comes out on the 26th worldwide! On Amazon. Finding an agent is next step! It’s not a process for everyone.
Congratulations!