Developmental Editing Round 1

Autumn is just around the corner, and I couldn’t be happier. Summer was hectic, and I didn’t get as much writing done as I had hoped. Still, I submitted the manuscript for my first novel to my editor and received encouraging feedback from her, and she noted some areas that needed tweaking to make the book even better.

I feel very grateful to have found Raya (my editor) because I can tell already that she understands my vision for the story. I think as a creator, whether it’s music, art, writing, et al. we take something from inside ourselves and place it into the world with a level of vulnerability that can be difficult to understand for someone who has never done it. That’s why when I write book reviews or when I offer feedback on someone else’s writing, I try to remember the precious gift I’ve been offered while doing so. Very few people display their innermost self to the world.

But Raya seems to get me and my story, and the suggestions she gave me through our first round of developmental edits were awesome. Even the ones that seemed a bit daunting.

Without giving any spoilers, there was a scene in Magic in Her Blood (book 1) that I didn’t want to write, so in the initial version that I sent to her for editing, I didn’t write it. I merely glossed over it and fortunately for me, and my future readers, Raya caught the omission and even after some resistance from me, encouraged me to write the scene.

I work well under pressure. Maybe even some of my best work from time to time is accomplished under a deadline or because someone else might be let down if I don’t do it. You see, I find it easy to let myself down (a fatal flaw, perhaps), so having something, or better still, someone to hold me accountable is a non-negotiable if I want to succeed. The paradox is that I don’t like being told what to do, so I live a complicated albeit entertaining existence. But, I digress.

I returned the manuscript with all the new scenes, suggested alterations, and tweaks completed to my editor on September 7^th.  I am so happy to be one step closer to publishing and sharing this story with the world.

Until next time, I hope you enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons.