Magnifying Glass Writing

My Sister-in-law is a proof reader and a fantastic one at that. I've just handed her a copy of what I think just might be...drum roll please... the final draft of my book. Aughhh! In celebration of this moment, I cleaned my house, organized my desk, folded clothes and even cleaned out my children's closets! In short, I did all the things that I've put off for the last four months of my life while writing and re-writing and re-writing my book.

Now, to say that it's finished is only to say that I think all the raw, rough content is there and in place. I've, hopefully, filled the plot holes, fleshed out the weak characters, and corrected all or most of the pacing issues. But now, I begin the Magnifying Glass Writing. I'm line editing, analyzing every sentence, every punctuation, asking myself if it contributes to the feeling I'm trying to get across, or does it side track my plot?

This quote by Oscar Wilde both sums up the last three days of my life and accurately predicts the foreseeable future I'm afraid.

"I have spent most of the day putting in a comma and the rest of the day taking it out."

I'm not a detail oriented person. In response to Angie's post a few days ago, 'The Elephant in the room', I'm a screener- one who looks past and through and around all the clutter and still manages to function--barely. Molly Weasley would feel very much at home in my office.

This summer, I've been dedicated to finishing my book, The Take Back. And I admit that while I LOVE the idea of writing in a clean, orderly room, with my desk clear and and free of scraps of paper and sticky notes. I have been writing around piles of clean clothes, and dirty clothes and sippy cups and dolls and shoes and books and remotes and tissues and socks (I'm just looking at my desk, taking inventory! Seriously, I am.).

I've looked past the clutter and managed to finish my book. Now, as I plunge into what Angie has called the micro-editing stage, I'm a little nervous. For one who somehow didn't mind scattered letters, dvd's and crayons spilling off of her desk...am I really equipped to take a magnifying glass to my work; to look at tag lines, punctuation, etc? I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous and grateful, yet again, for Angie, Amy, my sister-in-law, and all those who have offered to read my book. Thanks to all of them, for their eagle eye comments and critique.

I'm not just saying this to be kind, but I really couldn't do it without you. Without proof readers, and detail oriented non-screeners, my WIP would look like my desk does right now. Thank you!

Sara