In Part 1 of this little series, “Manuscript Puberty,” I shared the experience of sending a first draft of my new novel, The Four Ms. Bradwells, to my editor, and getting comments from her. That was December 30. 
I spent the next several days brainstorming in the same red journal in which I’d taken notes while talking with her. I brainstormed on New Year’s Eve, although I did take time for champagne. I brainstormed on my birthday, New Year’s Day, although we had a nice brunch, too. I worked early mornings the first few days, because my son was home from college for winter break, and I do treasure my time with my kids. And I took a little folded piece of paper and golf pencil in my pocket when I ran, and when I walked with my dog. You never know when writing thoughts will come.
I continued to journal about possibilities, but I also dove back into the manuscript a few days later, trying to strengthen the voices of the four first-person narrators, and rewriting – indeed reimagining – the ending, among other minor little things. I revised chapter one and sent it along to my editor, to make sure I was on the right track; that was Tuesday evening at 7:20 p.m. my time, 10:20 on the east coast. Forty-seven minutes later, at 11:08 p.m. New York time, I got an email that opened, “Absolutely the right direction!”
I thought: dang, she doesn’t sleep?
At one point in this stage of revisions, I told Caitlin I was going to switch from rotating first person narration to rotating third; I’d been struggling with limited success to make the voices of my four narrators distinct and had decided to dive for the easy exit. Her response: You can do that, but it won’t be as powerful a story.
My manuscript: I can do what I want with it. But how foolish would I have to be to ignore great advice from someone who wants this book to be as good as I do?
On Valentine’s Day – about seven weeks after our first conversation on the book – I sent Caitlin a new draft. It’s a sign of what a good egg she is that she didn’t decline delivery on Valentine’s Day.
More soon, to catch up to where I am in the process now. And I’ll hope to be giving a sneak peak at the cover! – Meg
