Pen… or Sword…?

In 1839, English novelist and playwright, Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote “The pen is mightier than the sword” in his historical play Cardinal Richelieu.

Well, after completing the first draft of my novel, I truly felt the pen was the front-runner in this often debated topic. Now, having started the editing process, I am finding that the sword, indeed, is the mightier (and more painful) of the two! However, I’m far from finished, and I know the pen will come back in to play and I relish that day, but then the sword will have to be taken out again!

But wait, the pen of the editor, and Beta readers, may be the most painful and mightier of them all…. I will let you know!

True, This! —Beneath the rule of men entirely great, The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold the arch-enchanters wand! — itself a nothing! —But taking sorcery from the master-hand To paralyse the Caesars, — and to strike the loud earth breathless! — Take away the sword —States can be saved without it - Edward Bulwer-Lytton