Vibe Check

Hi Friends,

I’ve been on substack a little over a month now. So far I think it’s going well and aligns more with the type of engagement I’m after. But, it matters what kind of experience you are all having. Do you like this platform versus others, especially if you followed me over from IG or FB.

For me it feels like I’m creating content that’s more meaningful than just trying to crop a pretty picture. It also feels like I’m able to spend less time agonizing over trivial things online, or getting accidentally caught in a doom scroll. But this only works if you like the content I’m creating.

So what do you think? What would you like to see more or less of? Please do let me know if you can.

In other news, I’m working on my novel edits right now. I got them on Monday and they’re due in late August-ish.

I’m lucky in that I really like my editor. We met over the phone and she seems to get what I’m after. She also has roots in Texas, which I think helps a lot. That said, I’m in the really tough part of the edits. Ie, the beginning.

Right at first, you spend a lot of mental energy justifying everything that might be perceived as ‘wrong’ with your manuscript. Then you sit with it a while and transition into a slow understanding that you can’t ignore it and you have to make some changes.

Then you argue, if only with yourself, back and forth about what’s needed and what’s not.

Then, you accept the inevitable. Changes must be made. But the beauty of the editing process is not all edits must be accepted. The editor is merely one more opinion, albeit an opinion with skin and knowledge behind it, and ultimately it’s up to the writer to weigh the suggestions thoughtfully, then do what feels right for them and the narrative.

Two things I always try to keep in mind are:

1. The editor wants the writer to look their best. Full stop.

2. It’s the writer’s name on the front of the book.

Balancing those pieces is usually intuitive in shorter form, as there’s only so much room to tweak the narrative. This is the first time I’ve had edits of this nature, because it’s the first time I’m working on anything longer than 40k words.

Here’s hoping I can power through and find a happy medium. Wish me luck.

–Kasey

BTS image at the office. Leo is wrecked.