Jack Reacher said:
Yes, just a draft that hasn't been corrected once yet. And I do appreciate the questions. I know it's hard to put a story together in a person's mind if you haven't had the opportunity to read the segments in order. As you can probably imagine, there is a lot of information in between them.
I'm glad you asked the questions. It's a big help. Those questions wouldn't be there if you had the chance to read earlier segments. If it helps, Pickett is a reserve deputy sheriff that is inadvertently "in bed" so to speak with the main bad guy, Martin Cash. In other words, he has inside information.
The phrase, "He has his ass on his shoulders" is common to me and I imagine somewhat common in the south. Most certainly among the LEO guys I know. It just means being in a bad mood or mad at something/someone. I guess I shouldn't expect everyone to know that and I may adjust it. I would say it is similar to the phrase "I'll stomp a mud hole in your ass and walk it dry" Someone on another forum said that and there were a lot of people who had never heard it before.
But back to the editing....there's a BUNCH to do. I don't do it as I go, but I've read that some writers do. It would slow me down too much. I like to sit and write while the ideas are fresh. I'd never get done if I edited along the way. Mrs. Reacher usually reads a book on vacation. The deal this year is that I'm printing a clean copy of what I have to date, giving it and a red pen to her and having her do an edit for me.
:suntn
Thanks for the response. (I wouldn't have recognized that other phrase either hee hee)
I am not so sure about changing it though. If that lingo is familiar among his peers and what would come out of his mouth leave it. We as the audience would figure it out and come to expect that from "him."
I can see that just writing and not editing as you go would be appealing to some. I am sure Mrs. Reacher is very excited to edit for you!
I really do think you have a good novel here. I would not keep reading nor comment or pm if I didn't. (I would just be quiet as to not hurt feelings lol)
