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| Thanks so much Lynn, for giving me an excuse to use this pic! |
When I was a newbie writer, I used to read about how authors were deep in edits and had deadlines. I wondered if I’d ever get to do something like that. Would it really be as hard as they wrote about? Would I really disappear for days on end from the social media world to get things done?
Well, I found out pretty quick. March 11th, 2011 was the day I signed my contract for Wasteland with Crescent Moon Press. It was an amazing day. Surreal, actually.
Within the next few weeks, I got my first round of edits.
Oh.
My.
Gosh.
I quickly found out everything I’d read about edits, especially the first ones for us newbie authors, was true.
All the mark ups, suggestions, highlights…Some of my non-writing friends questioned the need for such changes, because why else would they buy your book if they didn’t like it, why change it so much?
Because editors have one thing in mind: Make this story shine. Because if it’s the best it can be, everyone wins.
I totally get it.
But yikes, so many changes? Did I really use the word flesh 192 times? Holy Cow!
Editors come at your novel with a fresh, objective eye. They haven’t been writing the story for weeks, months, years. They aren’t close friends wondering if they’ll hurt your feelings if they say something doesn’t work.
They do this for a living. They know what they’re doing. And they say what they mean. No filters. I really enjoy that, actually! Just tell me what needs fixing so I can fix it. That’s what I need.
Usually the editing process starts with bigger issues. Giving suggestions, ideas, direction on story/plot concepts. Then the following rounds of edits get more focused until it ends with making sure every T is crossed and I is dotted.
How long it takes varies with each publishing house and writer. For me, I signed my Wasteland contract March 11th, and the book officially released September 6th.
So, yeah, take in all the suggestions and work through your story, still maintaining your voice. But with the guidance of an editor, your novel becomes what it truly is meant to become.
Are you a newbie writer or author? Don’t worry. You’ll be able to do it. It’ll be scary, might sting a little, but in the end, it’s totally worth all the blood, sweat, and tears. Editors are worth their weight in gold.
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I’ve got an e-book copy of Wasteland here for one lucky person. So, leave a comment and you’re entered.
I’ll choose a winner tomorrow and contact you, so be sure to leave your email addy in your comment. If you’re not wanting to do that, just send me (lynnrush@cox.net) your email addy and I’ll set it aside in case your name is drawn.
Thanks for having me here today, Brooklyn!
Write on, my friends!
Lynn Rush began her writing career in 2008. She has both an undergraduate and graduate degree in the mental health field and has enjoyed applying that unique knowledge to developing unique characters.
A former inline speed skater and mountain biker, Lynn has been known to test the limits of her athletic endurance. So, when she's not writing, she spends time enjoying the Arizona sunshine by road biking nearly 100 miles per week with her husband of fifteen years and going on jogs with her loveable Shetland Sheep dogs.
Catch the Rush: www.lynnrush.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LynnRushWrites
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LynnRush
Amazon: http://amzn.to/pavzwE
All Romance Ebooks: http://bit.ly/nujjjp
Book Blurb:
Bound by the blood contract his human mother signed four centuries ago, half-demon, David Sadler, must obey his demonic Master’s order to capture fifteen-year-old Jessica Hanks. But as he learns more about her, he realizes she may be the key to freedom from his demonic enslavement.
The only obstacle—Jessica’s distractingly beautiful Guardian, Rebeka Abbott. He must not give in to their steamy chemistry, or he will lose his humanity. But fresh off a quarter millennia of sensory deprivation as punishment for not retrieving his last target, he may not be able to resist temptation long enough to save what’s left of his human soul.
Hey, Brooklyn. Thanks for hosting me today!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% Lynn. An editor's job is to make your writing blow readers away, not to coddle you and stroke your ego. Selling books is their business, and if the writing isn't STELLAR, they won't make as many sales.
ReplyDeleteHi ladies! I make up words...so my copyedits are usually full of comments like... "I double checked this with three dictionaries, and 'pistoning' is not a verb. It's only a noun."
ReplyDelete:) Have a great weekend!
Awesome post. I laughed out loud to read about all the "flesh" in your book. And such a positive view of the editing process. I can't wait to work with an editor who'll help make my work better.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a great experience. I know you worked hard on the finished product.
Congrats on the release of Wasteland!
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how hard you will fight to keep a word or phrase in the story? We feel if it is taken out the whole story can be ruined but quickly learn the story will be better without it.
Thanks so much for coming today, Lynn? LOL Rebecca, I can just imagine where one would use "pistoning" as a verb. ;)
ReplyDeleteKendall: Hey, girl. right on!!!
ReplyDeleteBornStoryTeller: Yes. Got to be honest. Help make the work shiny since the author can sometimes overlook things because they're so close to the story.
Rebecca: **waves** Pistoning. .... I remember how you used that word......It worked. :)
Christal: Yep. Flesh and Flinch are words that make me laugh out loud. I'm sure there are more to come for me, for sure, but those two were really my crutch words. Thanks, Christal.
Murdersandmysteries: I know, right? It's hard to stay objective with your own stories, but editors...they can. :)
Thanks for coming by, everyone!
Awesome post! Congrats, Lynn. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, LB!!! :)
ReplyDeleteAs a professional editor myself, this was a GREAT blog post to read! I'm glad you were talking great about us. Usually we get the grumbles and the sighs.
ReplyDeleteThis made me happy to read yet another of your stops on your blog tour, Lynn!
-Amy Eye (your blog tour stalker)
Hi, Dranea
ReplyDeleteLOL on the Blog Tour Stalker comment. That cracked me up. You're earning some serious entries toward the big drawing at the end of the month!!!! So, stalk away.
It's true, though. It's all about the book! Making it better--shiny! :) So keep doing what you do, Dranea :)
I agree 100%. I never thought I'd never experience the editing dungeon myself. Well, now I understand what authors were talking about. I received about a dozen messages asking if I was okay. LOL. Wasteland is such an awesome book even before your editor got it. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ciara!!! :) You'll be in the editing dungeon for a while with your three book deal..... Woot!!! :)
ReplyDeleteWrite on, my friend!!
Hey Lynn!
ReplyDeleteThis is so interesting to think about. You don't think about all the changes the story goes through as a reader. Did you ever feel frustrated or that it was changing what you wrote? When I think of editing, I'd think more of the "crossing the T's and dotting the I's."
;) Erin
erain14@gmail.com
Hi, Erin.
ReplyDeleteSometimes there was frustration because I wanted to keep a certain concept or phrasing, but when editors point stuff out that is a concern for them, you need to take notice and tweak it so it works better. :) And there is a part of editing that is the crossing the Ts and dotting the Is for sure!! But that's more toward the end as we're getting closer to print. :)
THANKS for stopping by, Erin.
The editing process is the bit that scares me. It's nice to know it's not going to kill me. Hopefully. Thanks for the advice.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Paula! It won't kill you. I promise. :) Write on, my friend.
ReplyDeletethanks for the heads up on the editing process, Lynn. I hate to see what my first round of editorial notes will look like. My book isn't due out until October of 2012 so I have awhile.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting Lynn, Brooklyn!