It might mean I’m weird, but I enjoy editing.
There. I’ve said it. I always like reading over my work after I’ve let it sit for a while, and editing lets me do that. Before I started self-publishing, I almost never read my work after it was published because I saw mistakes that I couldn’t go back and correct. But when an editor sends back suggestions/changes, it gives me a chance to see the book from someone else’s perspective. That’s usually helpful.
I remember the first book I wrote, Impatient Passion. The publisher had told me how much she enjoyed the book. The first thing I read from the editor was what a great book she thought it was, and how there were not many edits. Yippee, I thought. The book is good and there are only a few changes.
Then I turned the page.
There were so many Track Changes markups I could hardly see the text. What would a book look like that had many edits? I wondered.
Fortunately, I soon got the hang of what I was supposed to do and there
aren’t so many changes marked by editors now. Impatient Passion was the first time I’d ever been edited, excluding school where “editing” meant being graded. I didn’t view it as a fun experience then. Since then I’ve come to accept that it’s a part of the writing process—a good part!
What is your experience with editing?
Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.
Dee
Burning Bridges by Anne Krist: old letters put the lie to Sara’s life. Now, mending her past mistakes while crossing burning bridges will be the hardest thing she’s ever done.
If you’re weird, I’m a total freak ’cause editing’s what I do. 😀
Before I retired it’s what I did professionally, too! Thanks for commenting, Susan!
I don’t think you’re weird at all, or maybe I am too? I remember my first book, and opening up the manuscript after the first round of edits returned. It was the first time I ever saw Track Changes! Huh? A learning curve on many levels. Now, I like to see how an editor can improve my writing.
Mary, we can be weird together! Thanks for commenting.
You aren’t weird. Like you, the publisher of my first book told me it needed ‘some editing’ . I assumed a tweak here and there would do the trick until I was faced with page after page of mark ups. Gritting my teeth I learned how important editing is – the finished product is so much better.