While working on the second novel in the Cedar Springs family saga, titled Strawberries, I needed to do some research. I plan to write the revival scene in Whiskey and Old Stogies from a different point of view and wanted to make sure I remembered what year I put that event in. A couple of Amazon reviews said they found the timeline in Whiskey and Old Stogies a bit difficult to follow. I agree and probably should’ve put dates with chapter numbers.
When I looked up the revival chapter I saw that I mention Lulahbelle still pregnant with Buck. But noticed while flipping forward them wanting to name the bun in her oven Buck over a year before. Yes, some babies come late…but not that late. Decided to let poor Lulahbelle off the hook. In the next edition of Whiskey and Old Stogies I’ll change it that she doesn’t make it to the revival due to Buck’s teething.
I perpetuated the error twenty pages later when Rufus goes to the O’Hara place for Thanksgiving and sees Buck with his two little teeth. Reckon I’ll change that to Buck babbling his first word. What’s his first word? “Bah-bah!” He reaches for a bottle, already taking after his ole man.
So a new edition of Whiskey and Old Stogies is in the works. Goes to show you that no matter how many times a writer goes over a manuscript, or how many editors and beta readers they enlist, mistakes will still popup like pimples after chocolate ice cream. Next time I notice an author messed up dates which let a character engage in sex after he’s dead, or lets a character hop on the internet before 1994, I won’t judge them so hard.