Dear All,
I wanted to share a quick update on the status of my memoir: I have recently started working on the first round of edits with my publisher, Juggernaut Books.
It’s been an eye-opening process to realize that the notion of a “finished” manuscript, quite frankly, seems to be a mirage. Even after the eyes of three editors have already pored over my words, there’s always room for improvement. Editing, as I’m learning, is a highly subjective art. Each editor brings their take, seeing the story through a slightly different lens. No submitted manuscript ever returns without heavy track changes–not for JCB Prize Winner, not even Booker Prize Winners.
I’m incredibly fortunate to be working with an editor who just gets the heart of my narrative and the way I want to tell my story. But here’s the thing about editing–it could go on forever. There is always another sentence to tweak, another character to develop, another example to give, another paragraph to restructure. I need to develop the judgment of when to let go.
It’s a juggling act. Just imagine 289 pages full of comments like the ones above. I won’t pretend to have it all together. At some point, I’ll need to step back from the day job I love, which—though fulfilling—doesn’t leave enough room for the creative headspace the author journey demands. No illusions here, balancing it all isn’t a fool’s errand.
The task ahead seems enormous and at times, I admit to feeling overwhelmed. But then I’ll reread a passage that sings, or find a new way to express an experience and I’m reminded why I started this journey in the first place.
As I traverse this next phase, I am grateful just knowing that all of you are out there, cheering me on. That you will be excited (hopefully) to hold the book in your hands. This makes all the difference.
Until next time.
Warmly,
Tarini