Home again, after DragonCon, with different kind of work to hand: The publisher sent _both_ the copyedited ms. _and_ the first-pass galleys to my hotel in Atlanta, with the request that I process them simultaneously (ak!), to save time. Which means, theoretically, reading the copyedit and responding to queries, checking marks, etc.–then transferring all markings to the first-pass galleys, and in the process, proof-reading the galleys, in case of errors introduced by the typesetting. _And_ in the process, filling in any still-missing square brackets/additional bits.
The kicker here being that this is my first AND ONLY chance to read and correct the ms. before it goes to the printer. And it needs to be done by Sept. 20th.
Oooookay. So my plan is:
1. Proof the galleys first. Read with no distraction, fix any errors, mark anything (like empty square brackets or questionable bits) for later fill-in.
2. Read the copyedited ms., side by side with galleys (mind, the pages don’t _match_, as the copyedit was done on a printout of the revised ms., not on a printout of the galleys), answer all queries, and transfer all approved markings to the galleys. This will be the slowest part.
3. Paste in/append insertions of Gaelic–these are numerous, and owing to the fact that Gaelic is unfamiliar to typesetters (i.e., they can’t tell what a Gaelic word is _supposed_ to look like, and can therefore easily misspell them), the bits need to be provided _in type_, rather than handwritten (know from bitter experience that typesetters routinely mistake “r” for “v” and “n” for “m” when reading Gaelic insertions done by hand). I’ll print the pieces (on separate pages) and staple them to the relevant galley pages.
4. Write, print, and append auxiliary material: Dedication, Acks, Author’s Notes, and Glossary. (The Author’s Notes are mostly written already, and the Acks roughed out. Dedication is the work of a few moments–but the Glossary needs to be compiled _from_ steps one and two, above, words being added as I go through the ms.) These then need to be proofed, as well.
5. Consult all notes from beta readers and be sure all errors and questions have been addressed.
6. If time, read Whole Damn Thing again when complete. Also if time, make copy of WDT and have assistant proof-read, too, extra eyes being useful (but not all that useful during preliminary phases, as many errors will have already been caught and new stuff hasn’t been added yet).
That’s the Major Thing that needs to be done over the next weeks. On the other hand, really don’t want to go without writing for that long (and wanting very much to dig into WRITTEN); likewise, doing too much proofing at a stretch is counter-productive, because you start reading too fast and imagining–rather than really seeing–what’s on the page. So goal is to proof for an hour or so at a time, with a goal of processing 150 pages a day (I can effectively proof/process about 30 pages an hour), and during breaks, write stuff. (Besides WRITTEN, I have an essay on “Dr. Who” for a small anthology, and the novella about Michael and Joan, due in November. And, of course, there’s always stuff for OCII…). Also resume regular exercise routine (can’t usually keep this up while traveling, particularly not if doing constant events)–walk five miles a day, regular stretches and weights in the morning, half-hour stationary bike or swim in evening.
Dear Diana,
How you do all those things, maintain this blog AND manage to post on Twitter is completely beyond me.
All I can say, is “May the Power be with you”!
Dear Diana, I recently finished your entire series and am rereading it as I have been depressed without Jamie and Claire every day!! When I finished book 7 and was frantically searching online for info about book 8, I saw the Outlander movie posts. Anyway, to the point… I couldn’t imagine WHO could play Jamie until I saw “Thor”!! Chris Hemsworth plays Thor in the movie and as I watched I was thinking, “that’s James Fraser”!!
For what it’s worth…
Thank you for your books-they are MAGICAL!!!
Kristen
That is exactly what I thought, Kristen! It was actually hard to concentrate on the movie
And thanks to you, Diana, for just being awesome.
Wow, freaky, I thought the same thing!! I am re-reading the books now!
Oh my gosh! This is exactly my Jamie Fraser too! The first time I laid eyes on the man. Chris Hemsworth is Jamie! What a beautiful man. An Aussie. Yum!
Me too! Chris Hemsworth is definitely Jamie!
There is truly only one man that could play Jamie…Gerard Butler…hands down.
I have to say that I agree with Chris Hemsworth as Jamie. No doubt and hands down. Don’t get me wrong, I love Gerard Butler and he’s Scottish so that would be perfect, but he doesn’t fit the countless descriptions of Jamie in the books. He is tall with a blade of a nose, high cheekbones, Nordic features…well, you’ve read the books! I just don’t think Gerard Butler could pull that all off and still play the part of the 24 yr old Jamie we first meet. At the end of the day, I just can’t wait for the books to come to the screen!
When I saw Thor, I, too, immediately thought of Jaime Fraser! If we could only be so lucky….
I agree! Chris Helmsworth it is! 100% young Jamie! I wonder if he can master the Scottish accent? I love this series. Diana, THANK YOU for such an amazing read!!!!
I just had to sell my copies of your series to help pay my rent. I’m brokenhearted!!!
Dear Loola–
I’m very sorry to hear that! (Though I’m afraid what you’d get for used copies of my books wouldn’t make much of a dent in your rent.)
–Diana
But in the end…it’s worth it! And we love you for doing it! March on, dear warrior. March on!
Must make you crazy somedays when inspiration for the new book is flowing and you have to switch gears to go over the last one! But then, I often find myself longing to get home from work so I can do something creative, so I guess that is similar. I thought it amusing they sent you the work at DragonCon, like you would accomplish such mundane work while there!!
Some responses spring to mind, in no particular order:
Good God Woman !
How can I help ?
And you’re still married ?
Can you tell which way is up ?
What do you do in your spare time ?
Here’s to you (raising a glass) !
An essay on Doctor Who? How lovely! Can’t wait!
Still chuckling over Gill’s remarks…. I have to say I feel quite lazy about the course of my day when compared to yours. My feeble “THANK YOU” just doesn’t cut it for all you do to provide us with such pleasure. A novella about Michael and Joan… yippee!!! Looking forward to that one too!
Breathe in….breathe out Diana………………
All I can say is WOW!! And that you are my hero! I love these books so much and I so appreciate all that you do to make them happen.
In other words: Book 8 is on hold for a week or so! I am exhausted and my eyes are burning just reading what you are expected to do over the next week.
Deep breathe and GO!
And aren’t you going to be in New York on Sunday for the Brooklyn Book Festival? Or did they lie?
I have no idea how you manage to do all this! But keep going, I’m cheering you on!
I am thinking that writing out your to do list here on the blog is very smart.
By doing this, you have:
#1 organized the order to do things in,
#2 you have made it public, and
#3 you now have all of us, cheering you on!!
You go girl!
Keep it up!
I know you can do it!
You know you can do it!
Thank you!
My week looks rather easy after reading that. Thank yo for all your hard work. May rest and exercise find you
Looking forward to The Scottish Prisoner..read in todays paper in the Belive it or Not:
An octopus has 3 hearts. So besides having all those legs and story lines. What about the 3 hearts. I am getting realllllly old, so looking forward to the new Jamie and Claire book. Nena
I was just curious, since you mentioned that you have so many things to finish with SP before it can be published and you really want to get into WRITTEN, are there times where you have to just drop everything you are doing and write? Or can you successfully manage to keep it all inside (and not forget anything) until all the other project are finished and you won’t have to interrupt anything pressing?
I thought I was busy with 2 year old triplets, a husband and a dog! Thank you for all your hard work Diana!
OH MY!!!!!!!!!sounds like a very busy time….more power to you lady:) just so glad that you keep writing ’cause we all love your work. YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!
Wow. Does listening to music help? I would guess…. “Flight of the Bumblebee”…perhaps?
I dare say that in spite of all the hard work you love your work, because it shows on the product.
With that list, surely there’s something you’ve forgotten?! LOL
Saw WDT and I was racking my brain trying to remember the title and if it started with WDT … DOH!!!!