Amrita C

Writing update. Stopped thinking of progress in terms of no of words. 20 out of 33 chapters edited (not that that number is final). Draft 4 is coming along on the backs of beta reader feedback. Draft 5 may be my last. Fingers crossed.

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A year ago, I scribbled a quick note on some paperwork during a random work meeting (photo 1). I had only just started on the first draft of my manuscript.

And now I have beta reader comments like these.

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Hello. Long time no see.

Do you type the words "The End" at the end of your book? Final draft or first or all?

I hate typing "The End" at the end of any of my drafts. I fear it will trick me into not working on it anymore.

I'll see myself out.

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What do you mean I have to exercise to not fall apart, but also not exercise too much to not fall apart? What kind of biological UI/UX is this?

Also, struggling with Chapter 18. It's been two weeks. Longest chapter ever.

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London's waded into autumn. Editing has turned excruciating because what do you mean I can't write emotional sequences without having to reach deep and pull them out of myself...

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Ha ha, I'm British, I just go with fuckall!

When you get out of a 5 hour meeting and wonder where you are and what day it is, because the overhead lights in the conference room have sucked your soul out. Can't stare at words anymore so no manuscript editing today...

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When you want to say something profound and memorable and annotable but end up with "he walked through the foot tunnel while walking".

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Question: Is your first draft a love child of an outline and reasonable forethought or the hellspawn of chaos? Or is it a bit of both? Does reverse outlining come into play, or does your outline never change?

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Giving myself leeway to add more scenes to Draft 4, more removal of lyrical language where it needs to be grittier, and more of hurting my main characters for the story.
For. The. Story.

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The thing about being south asian is you could have a massive bowl of rice for breakfast and no one will bat an eye.
In other news, it's okay to add more chapters/scenes to your manuscript even if it's at draft 4. Anything for the story.

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What's your biggest struggle with editing your manuscript?

Trying to tighten up the middle and hate it so far.

#5amwritersclub but it's 10 am here with two back-to-back meetings coming up and all I can think of is the middle.

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now this is going to make me re-watch the older seasons

I know it is!

That feeling when you get notifications that your beta is leaving comments on your manuscript, but you can't click on the shared document because then they'll know you're snooping around and have nothing better to do.

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Well, I missed #5amwritersclub. But here, take a look at this scrumptious English I had for breakfast today.
50% edits done to Draft 4.
I don't want to speak too soon, but maybe I'll be ready to query in the new year.

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Oh, I have those days too. I know there's a ton to do on the WIP, but I just don't want to look at it. Brain switch off.

love that! thanks

Oratoria Magazine | Substack ōrātōris m genitive singular of ōrātor (“orator, speaker”). Oratoria was established in 2018 as a literary magazine based in London, UK specifically focusing on new voices. Click to read Oratoria Maga...

I was a guest editor for Oratoria when they launched in 2018 and I'm delighted to announce that I am one of the guest editors for their current issue as well. The level of talent was unbelievable!

Do check out Issue 02 and subscribe.

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I love that! But yes, I think one redeemable plot beat wouldn't hurt.

He is (the FMC can confirm). But my betas say I'm dangerously close to romanticising his a-holeness. And tbf, I do want to avoid that to a certain extent.

#5amwritersclub but it's just me alone in the dark staring at the laptop, with 3 hours of sleep because I was up till 2 am figuring out how to give my MMC redeemable qualities and failing because I want him to be first rate a-hole.

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Working in the coffee shop today. Quick-sketched a few passersby. My betas are now done with Act 1. All the simultaneous editing has been hectic and glorious.

Do you edit simultaneously or do you wait for all feedback to get in first?

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😀

The urge to add emojis after a dialogue tag just so my readers will know exactly what my characters are feeling. Fighting for my life here...

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Midnight. Need sleep. But need to keep editing.
Cannot sit at the precipice of something this important to me and take a nap.

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It's #5amwritersclub somewhere.

Which draft are you on with your WIP, and what kind of edits are you doing?

I did not imagine I'd have to do massive structural edits while on Draft 4. But here we are. Onwards.

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What do you do when you take a break from writing?
Write other things or read, or a bit of both? Or just completely switch off from literature? Or focus on blogging or vlogging?

I am more either switch off or blog.

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The Commute Which is mostly about The Manuscript

"I had started writing an entirely different novel in my early twenties. Over fifteen years ago, when my optimism was still a renewable resource. I had a plan. A story. Somewhat of an outline."

Excerpt from my newest personal essay.

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👇👇

Oh, that's a good one!