Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Edits: Not Bad at All

Everyone I know who submits what they write hopes for acceptance and fears edits. While we acknowledge edits are for the good of the writing, not personal, we hear horror stories.

"I dislike this character. See if you can make him better." No input on what they dislike or how they recommend the character change.

"This plotline isn't working." Why? At what point does it no longer work?

Or, in an erotica story, "Boring!" or worse, "Gross!"

There are professional editors who know their stuff but whose people skills are lacking, and there are editors who think they know their stuff but are delusional. And there are editors who are good people and who know their stuff. Who you get can be a crap shoot.

If you hire an independent editor, of course you do your homework, checking out their recommendations, seeking a sample of their work, and talking to people who have hired them but do not recommend them publicly. But when you sell a book, you don't get to do that.

I am pleased to say I finished the first round of edits and have zero issues with the editor's take on things. Whew! I'm going to let it sit overnight, double check I addressed each concern, and send it back, a day early.

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