Editing Potpourri 1-2-3

Millie Nelson Samuelson

 

ONE

It happens everytime! So maddening! JUST when I think I've edited my chapter or whatever to "perfection," the next time I read it, bunches of bit-edits pop up here and there. That even happens after I've already sent it off or published it. But hey, that's why I'm keen on publishing with Amazon's CreateSpace and Kindle. They make it easy to edit and reissue. 

 

In case you're wondering (or even if you aren't), this past week I've been doing the above with my newest book, Jade Cross: A Stone Ten Novel. This book is the first one I've published before it's fully finished. (It's missing some of the middle chapters and the ending of the last chapter.) I have good reasons for doing so, explained inside the front cover. If you're curious, you can check that out by looking up my JC Kindle on www.Amazon.com. Those of you who've read and liked my trilogy's first two books, I'm pretty sure you'll like this partial book, too. I plan to have the full book finished by the end of the year.

 

TWO 

It happens in every book I write! So maddening! Some word becomes the one I repeat over and over. Guess what word it's been in this newest book of mine? (Hint: I've highlighted it in the first paragraph of this blog.) Yep! You guessed it! JUST! Thank goodness for that handy "word search" feature most softwares have these days. Yesterday I ran a check on a chapter, and one of my pages alone had four "justs." Sigh! "Too" is another recent pet word of mine.

 

Back when I was still a college communications prof, one semester some of my "dear" students actually counted a word they noticed I used a lot in my class lectures and presentations. The word? INCIDENTALLY! But hey, it's just (ha ha) the greatest transition, so I still use it, but more carefully. Incidentally, those students and I still have fun with it on Facebook.

 

THREE

It happens everytime! So fun! I just (ha ha) can't wait to share the cover of my newest book. I launched the Kindle of Jade Cross (Partial Book)  a few days ago. In a few more days, I'll be releasing the CreateSpace paperback. Using CreateSpace's free cover software is always a fun experience. JC's cover photos are from my Nelson family's photo collection. The ones you can see here of the Nestorian Monument in China were taken by my grandfather, Philip Nelson (Nils Newquist in my novels) in the early 1900s.

 

 

 

Editing, publishing or reading blessings to each of you,

Millie  :-)

www.milliesbooks.org

 

 

Publishing Dilemma! HELP!

What do YOU think? Should I publish an incomplete novel?

That's my dilemma, and here's why I'm considering doing so.

I'm about halfway finished with the third novel, Jade Cross, in my Yangtze Dragon Trilogy. My novels are stories inspired by my family's China and Taiwan experiences, dating back to 1882 until the present time. At the rate I'm progressing, I doubt I'll finish this third novel before the end of the year.

My problem?

I plan to dedicate Jade Cross to several significant others from my life when I was growing up in Taiwan. They are now elderly, and recently one moved to Glory. I would like the others to see my forever gratitude in print before they, too, finish their days on earth.

So I'm considering publishing part of Jade Cross and sending it to them. Incidentally, they have read my first two novels, and have expressed eagerness to read the final one.

Since I can quite easily do this as a self-published author,
should I? Or am I overlooking some serious drawbacks?

Plus I'm curious!

For those of you who've read the first two novels in my trilogy, would you like to read a few more chapters of the story while you wait for the finished novel?

I hope you'll let me know what YOU think!

Millie Nelson Samuelson
www.milliesbooks.org

PS: To celebrate our New Year, all four of my Kindle books are on sale for only 99 cents each this month of January on Amazon: Hungry River, Dragon Wall, A Missionary Memoir, Women of the Last Supper.