Matthew Scott Campbell

I think I have a knack for this writing stuff. First, my rough(first) draft was completed in what felt like record time. I started in October (2025). And I finished early December.

I then took two miserable weeks off from writing and from the draft. After two weeks, I could not believe it had only… been… two… weeks.

When the two weeks ended, I started reading my book as a reader. While reading, I switched on “Suggestions” mode and made edits as necessary. That lasted all of two minutes and I realized that my first chapter was ridiculously subpar compared to the rest of the book. So, I rewrote it. Chapter 2 was good. Chapter 3 was good.

Then, I started over reading the book as a reader and using “Suggestions” for editing. Well over 2,000 edits/suggestions later and I feel really good about the result.

I won’t spoil it. But the book was engaging, exciting, emotional and exhilarating. There were times I teared up from the emotions of the characters. There were times I giggled at the excitement and intensity of an action sequence.

The book feels really good.

I then went back and did what I call a “was removal pass”. I used the word “was” a lot and that is a passive voice. So, for each instance of the usage of the word, I considered how to make the voice sound more active.

All of that to say, I am done with my initial revisions. I have a few people who have offered to read it and provide feedback. I do not want to call this a Beta Reader phase. I feel like it is more of an Alpha Reader phase. Essentially, I want to make sure I am not blinded to reality like one of those singers on American Idol who truly cannot sing.

Once I get the feedback from that, I have an editor I am considering to have edit the book.

Things are moving along and I am excited. Right now, it feels like this site is behind the curve of where I am supposed to be. I need to drum up excitement for this book.