My Book: The Editing Process - "It is Gripping"

It's been a while since I started Day Laughs, Night Cries.  I had submitted the first three chapters to obtain a grant and received more than I had expected.  Four out of five small publishers commented on my writing style and three asked that I send them the completed manuscript, while two offered me grants.  I could not believe the response.  I had written the chapters as class assignments.  

I worked on the first draft as a person running a marathon.  I could not put it down.  Memories surfaced like beautiful wild flowers and overgrown wild weeds. I cried, laughed, and wrote (see the title).  The first draft was a quick read with flashbacks and cliffhangers.  I had used flashbacks to escape writing about difficult situations.  The flashbacks allowed me to give insights without giving too much.  They also allowed me to keep certain characters at the surface.  This strategy worked well, but only for me.

I gave the manuscript to some people to tell me if it hooked them or not.  Not for a real critique.  An English Literature professor said, "It is gripping, and fast paced throughout." A media professor involved with television series said, "It is so alive and strong... send it right away to a publisher.  It is that good...." 

Then, I sent it to one of the small publishers who liked the manuscript but suggested that it needed more work and asked if I would like a critique.  I quickly said yes. I love constructive critique.  It was an excellent critique that listed the strengths and weaknesses in the manuscript, the strong dialogue and where the voice strayed from child, to adult, to academic.  I've worked on everything the publisher mentioned because I believed in the critique.  When I completed the next draft, an editor, among other things, suggested I change the ending.  I did.  Now I need to let go of the manuscript, but .... not yet.