Not long ago, I typed “The End” on my novel Journey of Honor. I thought. When I was reading through to prepare for the editor, I found a crucial passage and scene near the end that didn’t sound right.

I spent a few days ruminating and realized I was being too nice to the characters and some of the history wasn’t accurate. I didn’t have enough follow-through. I needed more historical data to provide the missing pieces.

For days I researched and found the missing information. I had to contact a museum curator at Fort Vancouver, Washington and print a lengthy dissertation about the Oregon Trail published in 2020. It was truly enlightening, not to mention humbling.

---

I took a deep breath, gathered my notes, sat down, and finished the novel. Following another read through I sent the manuscript to the editor. Thus, on October 9, 2022 the next phase of getting a book into the world began.

I received the first pass suggestions from the editor. It’s amazing what magic editors can do.

---

Have you as an author ever had to delete up to 3,000 words? Have you found glaring mistakes? As a reader, have you read a historical passage that seemed incorrect? If so, did you contact the author?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this post.