Proofreading, a Tree and Fox Tracks

proofreading, tree and fox tracks

Just a small post, and a short wintry walk, written amid the nerve wracking experience of proofreading (originally from February 2021).

It’s been snowing.

Quite a lot.

Above are fox tracks in the woods. Below, an oak leaf.

oak leaf in the snow: proofreading

Scary Proofreading

I’ve been proofreading Fireflies and Chocolate (out now: Amazon), desperately seeking any errors, making tiny tweaks.

Last chance to change anything. Last chance to get it right before it goes back to the publisher. It’s a little bit scary, this final stage of writing a novel.

In the woods

So, I trudge. Through the snow. Through the trees.

I breathe in the fresh cold air. It feels good.

Calming. Natural. Real.

Emerging from the woods, I hold my face up to the sun, follow the fox tracks and hope all will be well.

sunshine through the trees

The Mermaid and the Bear

“Once Upon a Time, in the Days of Auld Lang Syne…”

The Mermaid and the Bear by Ailish Sinclair in the snow by deer tracks

THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR is a Scottish tale that includes a castle, a handsome Laird, witchcraft accusations, a stone circle and lots of love…

Paperback and Kindle:

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

Waterstones

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snowy woods

55 Replies to “Proofreading, a Tree and Fox Tracks”

  1. Hi Ailish,
    Thank you for always sharing your beautiful photos of Scotland. If you ever need a Beta reader, I would love to help you with that. I know that I struggle to get beta readers and I actually prefer other authors doing it for me. My characters live on the Isle of Skye and I live in South Africa so I had to do a lot of research. It’s another reason I always love looking at your photos because it makes me feel like I’m there. Good luck with your last bit of proofreading!
    (www.ondeanelourens.com)

        1. Skye is one of my Spiritual Homes! I really recommend a visit to this magical Isle. I have found May and September to be the best months for peace, quiet and weather.

          I am not sure if anyone has read Lillian Beckwith’s novels. It is suggested that Bruach, her fictional place of residence, is based around Skye, where she lived for many years. In any case, they are charming books about Scottish island life in the 1940s!

  2. I well know the mix of feelings that accompany that final proofing–tiredness and a readiness to just get it finished and yet an eerie awareness that it is the last opportunity to catch errors and do those final tweeks. I wish you well. I know it will turn out great.

  3. Lovely photos – you’ve been blessed with more snow that here in the south of England! I enjoy editing, not for the having to pour over potential mistakes, but how nice it is to be able to appreciate having finished writing – congratulations!

  4. Lovely photos. We have several days of snow forecast for the first time this season. It feels as though we’re all holding our breath waiting for the enchanting flakes to fall. I’m looking forward to some time to be shut in with my editing and perhaps some reading. Nothing like snow outside and a good book inside.

  5. At this stage I tell myself that the laws of the universe dictate that no matter how diligently I peruse the pages there will always be at least one typo that escapes my eagle-eye. It does take the pressure off a bit. 🙂

  6. Thanks once again for sharing all this. Tomorrow, we should be heading for the cottage we booked back in August, hoping that life would be better by now. ( near Lammermuir Hills)

  7. Lovely photos. You have a good eye. Thanks for the follow! 🙂 Good luck on the proofread. Hope you have some hot chocolate on hand!

  8. We must be kindred spirits! I love foxes and following tracks in the snow. I do not love proofreading, but its a necessary step. I struggle to get out of editing mode myself, but look at you! You’ve got a published book and more on the way! Hooray! Congratulations!

  9. Ooo, fox tracks! That would be such a cool trail to follow!

    I also wanted to let you know that I nominated you for a Sunshine Blogger Award. No pressure! I just wanted to share your lovely site.

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