It’s been a long and drawn out process (mainly because I kept changing my mind about what degree to take), but I am pleased to report, that at 1pm, yesterday afternoon, I completed my English Literature BA (Hons) degree. After nine months of studying Shakespeare, and a total of seven years of part-time home-study, my journey to obtain an undergraduate degree came to an end.

I found the course tremendously hard, owing to its fast pace, but thoroughly enjoyed the revision time. I went to the exam confident of success, wrote what felt like a spectacular question first answer (at the time), and then proceeded to waffle my way through the other two questions. The worst thing about it was that I knew I was going off topic, I knew I wasn’t analysing anything, and I knew I was making up critics, but by that point I’d already convinced myself that I’d messed up, so I just kept writing. By the third question, I was in full blown panic mode as I was running out of time…

The shame of it is, that the questions were absolutely brilliant – exactly what I wanted. It’s just a shame my brain bailed out half way through and left my hand to waffle without any sense of direction. After seven years of essay writing, you would think I’d know to explain the points I was making – so why on earth did I announce that the Jacobeans were scared of witchcraft without bothering to explain my reasoning? *shudders*

Still, what’s done is done. I think – hope – I’ve done enough to secure the 55 marks I need to achieve the 2.1-degree classification I’ve been chasing for the past few years.

So…

With the studying at an end (for the moment), it’s time to step up my plans to launch my editing business, but before I do that, I have lots of decisions to make.

I renewed my subscription with the Society for Editors and Proofreaders, but I’m undecided as to which courses I should take to improve my editing skills. I’m toying with the idea of specialising with developmental editing, as this appears to be my strength, on top of which it is the part of the editing process that I enjoy the most, but then I worry that I won’t get any business. I’m considering the use of a business name, although using my real name makes more sense in an environment where trust is paramout, I also need to write up my business plan, work out my prices and look at ways to market my business. So as you can see, I have lots of decisions to make, but in the meantime, I have five book edits awaiting my undivided attention…