Writing is the easy part! —Part 2
Part 2 “I’m no Editor!”
I am a writer. I am a thinker. I am creative. I am no Editor!
When I am told I need to go through and do a better job editing, I simply want to say, “okay, you write a story like this and lets see how your first draft is!”
I never proclaim to be an Editor. Why, just because I am a writer and Author, am I expected to be an Editor as well?
Some people have it, some do not. I do not. These Blog’s I write, for example, are a great indicator of my writing style. Folks who are editors, or who have that knack are picking out grammar and punctuation and style all the way through.
Hey good for you, what ever floats your boat. It’s a blog!
As far as my manuscripts go, I hire someone to edit. I hire someone because I do not want to stop my creative juices. I want to write until my pen runs dry.
The key here is – when your editor comes back with critique and criticism, listen to it, and let them win. Unless an editor changes your meaning and story, don’t fight every little battle.
My editor told me I have too many run-on sentences. I know. It’s how I talk. I write how I talk. I can change the subject five times within a sentence while speaking and not even put a comma in that sentence!
I am more cognizant now of those things. I am also more aware of the words I use. In writing a children’s book, I need to use terminology that is in tune with that age group.
Once my Editor tells me things, they are always there in my mind after that. I may not get better at my run-on sentences, but I am trying. I have seen writers and authors go absolutely sideways when their work is edited and critiqued. As if to say, “How dare they criticize my work?”
Listen, don’t take yourself so seriously. No one is an expert in every aspect of book writing and publishing Go with the flow. Listen, learn and try it the editor’s way.
As long as your story stays your story, take help when it is offered. Especially if you are paying someone to do that service for you!
