I finished up my novella last night Yay! Now the editing starts. The bad thing is that there are more problems in this story than there have been in my previous ones, at least in my opinion. There is one major problem that I see, and my friend and cover designer, Anya Kelleye also saw the same thing. I need to figure out how to fix that. There are also some characters that need fleshing out. I have a bad habit of ignoring minor characters because I don’t care about them. I’m kind of like that when I’m reading, too, so it naturally sneaks into my writing. But I’m not sure how much one needs to know about a minor character. Do readers really care about them? Does it depend on how minor they are? When there are a dozen characters in your book, how many of them need back stories? So many questions. Grrrrrr!
Anyway, the editing process begins. After that, final proofreading. I hope to have a few other eyes on this story before I take a final look. I wanted to have this published by the beginning of June, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. But, if I’m lucky, it will be done by the middle of June. By that time I’ll have my son’s wedding and my trip to NYC out of the way.
lauralynnelliott.com 
MHO- It depends on the minor characters influence on the main characters or the story. You don’t need to say much about the cab driver taking them form the airport but you do need to include a little more than the name of the neighbor that pulls the lead out of the fire.
Can’t wait to read it and give you my opinion, since you haven’t sent me anything, yes I know I’m behind on reading your stories as it is, but I enjoy reading your stories and giving my opinion. As I listen to yours on mine.
Peace, see you soon,
Jonathan
The reason I didn’t send it to you is because you didn’t finish Haunted Lake. So I figured you didn’t really have time.
I can send it, but would you rather have it in it’s unedited version or wait until I have my edits, then let you see what else it needs or doesn’t need?
Also, I need that dedication so I can get your print book ready! :0)
Hey, thanks for the shout out! 🙂
I’m really liking the start of this series you’re doing. I think your readers are going to enjoy it.
You’re welcome!
I hope so. I just need to flesh out some things. There are a few things that feel rushed.
Somewhere along my perennial ‘how to be a better writer’ studies, I read that you should really only name (and flesh out?) 3-4 characters, because readers have a hard time remembering names and details beyond that. I think in some cases that’s true. I can remember books where there were so many characters, I couldn’t keep them straight and actually wrote down a cheat sheet of names and occupations as I was reading, because I was tired of flipping back and trying to remember who Mr. So and So was. I think that you could consider how important your characters are to the crux of the story. Maybe, you don’t need to flesh them out as much as you think.
I’d be happy to be a set of eyes for you on your current book. I could read it this weekend if you send it right away.
I actually have to name more than three or four because she’s meeting them for a reason. They aren’t all important, but they kind of have to be there. But there aren’t a LOT of characters. I’m like you, I’ve read books where there were so many characters I was having trouble remembering them. And when you’re listening to an audiobook, you can’t flip back and look. LOL
I would be happy if you would take a look. The book hasn’t been proofread yet, but that’s an easy thing for me. It hasn’t been edited either, but I can let you know in the email where I think the plot problems are so you’ll know I’m aware of them. I’ll get that to you tonight. Thanks a bunch for the offer!
You only have to name and describe characters who move your plot. Once you name and give them a back story, you’re telling the reader they’re important to the story. Everyone else works like the rest of the setting, just to paint a picture. Hope that helps.
Thanks, Andrew, it does help. One of the problems with writing is that there are going to be people who aren’t going to be happy with you no matter what you do. Some will think you’re not giving enough info. Some will say you’re giving too much. So I try to please myself and still write it the way it SHOULD be written.
I appreciate your input!
Yay, welcome to editing! I’m mired in it right now… Can’t wait for the proofreading stage to arrive!
Hi Deniz. Editing is the hardest part, especially if there are problems that you know are there, but you’re having problems figuring out how to fix them. I’ve got someone looking at it right now to help me figure a way to fix the problem. I think I know what I need to do, but I’m resisting it. LOL