After Aiden's writing skill increased to Level 7 from Level 6, he felt like the ideas in his head were getting more and more clearer.
It was the same feeling when he had felt his composing skills increasing in skill levels.
He felt like he would be able to write the novel better now.
The original ideas he had about Harley, Rocco, the movie they were making and their friendship were getting more solid in his mind.
He had once read a famous writer say, "No one cares what you have written in your first or second draft. As one gets to know more about their story, it improves and most of the time, the stories that the readers see are way different than the first draft as all the rough edges are removed."
After his skill level increased, Aiden also felt that he was now able to see more of the rough edges. Richard also helped him identify more of the problems with the first draft.
Although the old man sounded grumpy most of the time and often looked at Aiden like he had slept with his wife, he was not a bad person and was just trying to help him.
Though, he didn't know whether it was because he was thankful to Uncle Sam or because he genuinely liked the core of <Behind the scenes>.
Anyway, thanks to him, Aiden was able to increase his skill levels. The conversation with Richard really helped him a lot and at the same time, he understood that someone with a level as high as 9 would surely see <Behind the scenes> a bit differently than him.
He knew that for casual readers like Uncle Sam, all these won't be a big problem and they would still be able to enjoy the core values of the movie and be invested in Harley's journey.
But making modifications in the manuscript was undoubtedly increasing its quality.
That's why, over the next three days, he worked hard to go through the draft again and again to remove and add things that could make the story better.
'Ah, I have given too many lines to Harley's ex wife. I need to change it and make sure that she's just a small character who loves Harley but can't be with him. I need to show the connection and conflict she feels towards Harley.'
'Maxwell needs more scenes. He's the pure part of the book and I need to give more emphasis on him being the only support of Harley in hard times.'
'I should show glimpses of Rocco's past and cut down the parts where I have explained his reasons. The characters need to look more humane.'
Like that, he edited the whole novel. Aiden was even working in between his other works like photoshoots and interviews with reporters. Wade was even worried that he was just going to overwork himself.
After three days of constant work and only thinking about his novel, his manuscript was finally looking way better.
Aiden even got system notifications, indicating that he had indeed made <Behind the scenes> better.
[You have realised your mistakes and corrected them. You have taken a step towards becoming a great writer.]
[The quality of your work <Behind the scenes> has increased after all the modifications.]
[This is the utmost you could at your current skill level. You have completed your first work as a writer.]
[Congratulations!]
Seeing his system notifications, Aiden was relieved that he hadn't made the novel worse in his attempt to edit out things.
After completing his novel, without wasting any time, he went to Richard's house that was situated in one of the most expensive areas in New York.
Although his system had told him that his novel's quality was way better now, he didn't know how Richard was going to see it.
"How's it?"
He asked, looking at Richard who was sitting in front of him. Aiden was in the same room where Richard had told him that his novel has potential that was wasted.
Richard had just finished reading over the edited manuscript but he hadn't said anything about how he had liked it.
"Well…" Richard took a glance at the manuscript in his hand. For a moment, Aiden felt the atmosphere freezing but he soon continued his words. "It's way better than before. I liked it."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I feel like the emotions portrayed by Harley and how you described him are the best parts of the novel and you removed a lot of unnecessary things. My main fault with this book was Rocco and after you corrected it, it feels like a new book itself. You have done well."
Aiden took a sigh of relief when Richard said that and maybe for the very first time, there was a light smile on his face.
'This kid learns quickly.'
When he had first heard from Uncle Sam, Richard wasn't expecting anything good.
He was a veteran writer and a big part of the writing community in New York and none of them liked any type of celebs getting into writing.
For them, it was just an insult as the books by celebs sell not because of the quality but the name associated with the book.
It was a harsh reality!
It was one of the reasons why the prestigious writing communities generally did not let actors enter them.
That's why, Richard wholeheartedly believed that <Behind the scenes> was going to be bad but he had surprised him a little.
'He does have talent. Just need a bit of grooming.'
Richard thought in his mind and opened his mouth.
"What are you going to do next?"
"Ah, I don't know."
Aiden replied and Richard titled his head.
"Aren't you going to publish this book? I believe that a good book needs to reach people."
"I do want to but I'm still a bit confused about it. I don't know any publishers and even if I went to one, they are going to publish the draft just because of my popularity. Even people would buy it because of that. I kinda want to avoid it."
Currently, Aiden's feelings were a bit conflicted. He did want to use his popularity so the book reached as many people as it could but would people buy it for its content then? Won't he just join the ranks of other celebs who people think write books to earn a bit more money on the side and add in their portfolio that they are an author?
There were these types of thoughts in Aiden's mind.
"Well, I understand that." Richard said, putting a finger on his chin. Suddenly, an idea came to mind. "Oh, I have an idea for you then."
"What?"
"Have you heard of Vikings publishing?"
"Yes, they are pretty old publishers."
Vikings publishing was one of the oldest and most popular in America, publishing millions of books till now and they had a lot of contacts in Hollywood too, helping a lot of their books get adapted into movies and series.
Aiden remembered their logo which was a tough looking Viking with a big beard holding a sword.
"Every year around this time, they held a competition where you could enter with your book. It's a pretty big competition for rookie writers and even some established ones enter it using different pen names. If you come in the top three, then your book will be published."
"That seems nice."
"Yeah, you can even negotiate the contract. Just enter it and win it, so you could say that your book isn't getting published due to you being a celeb but because it's a genuinely nice book."
***
At the time as Aiden was talking to Richard, the broadcast of [Searching for the One] was going on.
The same group of friends who were watching the show in the bar had gathered in an apartment to catch the next episode of it. All of them were very excited as the episode began.
"It's beginning. It's beginning!! Come quickly!"
"Yes, yes, I'm coming."
"I really hope they do this episode justice."
"Obviously they would. Just by the teaser, I know that Alan will do his best in this episode too."
"You already got a crush on him after an episode."
As they talked, the episode began and it started with Rod, another one of the main characters of the show going towards a client meeting. He was one of the most popular characters of the show but in the current season, he was on the verge of divorce.
The episode went on as Rod entered the meeting and that's when Alan entered the scene with a smirk on his face. It's revealed that he's the head of a subsidiary company of a very big corporation.
"Damn, so he's rich."
"I think so. At least that explains all those expensive Armani suits we have seen him wear."
As the episode went on, Alan and Rod finished their meeting and he invited him to a bar because he was bored where they started to talk about their lives.
On the screen, Alan was talking with Rod.
"So, you are married?"
"Yeah, it's been four years since that day. Do you want to see my wife's photo? We are having a baby."
"No, I don't." Alan gave him a glare. "What made you even give up a happy single life and get married? Wait, is she rich?"
"No and actually, she's my first."
"Heresy!"
Alan said, standing up and looking down at Rod who seemed confused about his over the top behaviour.
Like that, the episode started.
...
