Archer of the Lake is in the very rigorous editing stages. I thought I would have to do a lot of cutting, but as it turns out, I am having to do a lot of adding, based on the response of my peer editors. My system of writing dialogue was vastly flawed and confusing, but I--hopefully--have that problem solved (as well as working on Runewell's dialogue as I'm writing it). I am going through it and correcting logical errors and plot inconsistencies. I am fixing the amount of times Caelfel blushes. Most importantly, I am adding more world-building details, a flaw that my more well-read editors pointed out and complained about. The original prologue has been scrapped (which it was never really intended to be in the book itself, I wondered how people would take to it), because it would not interest prospective readers. All in all, it was boring, and a new one has been written.
It has been emotionally draining to do this editing work, but that's because I'm too close to the product. I've spent over a year and a half working on it, and people are reading it, which was frightening to start with. But to learn that it wasn't perfect through and through? I knew this already and it helps to have peer editors to not coddle me. They want to make it better too.
Various sections and scenes will have to be rewritten. I've already compiled a glossary of characters, geographical places, and terms to help readers better understand this world I've created. I've even drafted a list of the polytheistic pantheon for the human characters. I have gods and goddesses and they are characters too.
What's more, and probably the most exciting bit I have to report, is that I have a sequel. I always knew there would be one, of course. Only, I did not expect to have the prologue and the nearly-complete, fully developed working outline so soon. (Mainly because I have other books in different universes I want to work on). But a close friend desperately wanted to convince me to try something new with Character X. It was a good idea, so much so that I am dangerously close to considering it. But to have that happen would change things in this story I've spent so long planning. There is a plan, as much as it annoys her, and each character has their own future and purpose mostly spelled out in my head. But to change that would affect quite a bit. In considering it, I had to reconcile myself with the decision, and I ended up developing the sequel instead of editing the original as planned.
I still do not know if I will take her suggestion. Oddly enough, it would not affect the sequel as it stands either way so I have a while before I decide. But the outline of this sequel is several pages long, and I think it will be much more exciting than the original.
Also, I've seen proofs of the cover from the cover artist, and I think that will be amazing too.
