Daily Archives: May 3, 2022

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Fixing the Big Problems #3 by E. J. Williams

May 3, 2022 by Janet Elizabeth Lynn and Will Zeilinger in category Editing Your Novel Together by Will Janns

Editing Your Novel Together

Fixing the Big Problems #3

by E.J. Williams

(Janet Elizabeth Lynn & Will Zeilinger)

Writing together as E. J. Williams, husband and wife, Will Zeilinger and Janet Elizabeth Lynn author the INTER-NATIONAL CRIME FILES, a hardboiled/thriller detective series that takes the reader to 1960s southern California, then on to international locales.

Even after you’ve written the best book in the world, the pesky task of editing rears its ugly head! To those of you who love editing . . . our hats are off to you. We have come up with several suggestions that may help ease the editing process, whether you are editing your book for your editor, publisher, agent, or yourself.

I know, it is heartbreaking to find the big problems because . . . you have to fix them. And it seem daunting. We have discovered two ways to edit a manuscript. The first is what we call a Do Over. After you re-read your notes about changes and scribbles yourself, you open a new document and re-write the manuscript from the beginning, making sure you include your notes and changes. The second is what we call the Road Map. Where you re-arrange chapter, change chapter, etc., following the notes and ideas you noted during your re-read.

We have tried both ways and after 15 novels we found that the Do Over is the best way to get a manuscript to its perfection. Since there are two of us working on the same manuscript, we agree on the changes, break up the chapter and have at it.

Though this mind-numbing task is necessary, it can bring about a great deal of pride when the process is complete. As a couple who write together, we have found these tips work well whether you are working alone or with someone.

And yes…we are still married!

Website: Janet Elizabeth Lynn

Website: Will Zeilinger

The Skylar Drake Mystery Series

Janet Lynn and Will Zeilinger

Published authors Will Zeilinger and Janet Lynn had been writing individually until they got together and wrote the Skylar Drake Mystery Series. These hard-boiled tales are based in old Hollywood of 1955. Janet has published seven mystery novels, and Will has three plus a couple of short stories. Their world travels have sparked several ideas for murder and crime stories. This creative couple is married and lives in Southern California.