Question of the Day Featuring Michael Phillips

Question 7 of 25 with Michael Phillips

What is the least thrilling/attractive part of being an author for you?

I would probably say the editorial and production process, but not only because of the difficulties I mentioned earlier. It is the most difficult creatively. The editorial process comes long after you’ve finished a book. The emotional and creative energy has all been used up. By then you’re on to something else.


It is very hard to go back and summon the energy to make a lot of corrections that perhaps a publisher wants you to make. And it’s hard also to incorporate such changes into what is already a finished and cohesive entity. It becomes very much a cut and paste affair at that point. You seriously worry whether you’re not just making a hodge-podge of a given scene or section more than really improving it. They may be great ideas, but it’s difficult to recapture that enthusiasm from six months or a year before when you were riding the wave of creativity that carried you through the writing of the book in the first place.

Don't miss Michael's advice for aspiring authors, debuting tomorrow!