I heard that short, sharp sentence today on my writing retreat here in Spain: “Writing is editing”. We think we have written our books when we type The End. But it is only the beginning of a vital process of refining the content and organisation of our stories. I’m not talking simply about checking grammar and typos– although of course that is important too, but making absolutely sure that the overall quality of the work is the best it can possibly be.

I am very fortunate in that I work with an editor at Bookouture who has fresh ideas and a professional viewpoint but the first structural edits always send me into a spin. I need a couple of days to calm down, get perspective and understand what needs improving, cutting, reshaping. I have to be honest with myself.

I received these edits hours after arriving in a very wet Spain (It is our fault: why do we teach our children to chant, ‘Rain, rain, go to Spain’?)

Feeling quite despondent about the amount of changes advised: the characters to eliminate, the chapters which amounted to irrelevant sub-plots, the intensification needed for certain themes and the introduction of new action to strengthen the overall plot, I took myself off in a sulk for a damp walk through the olive grove. I don’t have to concur with everything, but I do need to listen to a sensible critique.

A walk through the wet olive grove in Andalucia. Orchids nod their heads as they push through the damp undergrowth. Look beyond the rain for the promises to come.

My walk was an allegory. As I tramped through the wet grasses and brushed against the olive branches dripping with diamond raindrops, I could see summer flowers waiting to burst forth. Just as the beautiful scenery here will benefit from the thirst quenching downpours, I hope the work I shall do in the next month on my book will also blossom and turn out more pleasing to all the senses. Wish me luck, friends!

And if you are tempted, here is the website for Rosanna Ley’s wonderful writing retreats that she holds here twice a year. Booking early is essential.