Editing my Spanish Coin manuscript has taken most of my time since my last post. I’m happy to announce that I have trimmed the word count from 114,645 to 99,979.

After reading conflicting guidelines in books and online, I concluded that a manuscript for a first novel had a better chance of landing me a literary agent if if were under 100,000 words.

It was daunting to have to cut nearly 15,000 words from my book, but the process turned out to be enjoyable. Every word had to justify itself. Every scene had to prove its purpose.

I know I have a better manuscript to pitch to an agent now.