I’m sitting here in front of Outlook. An e-mail arrived this morning from my editor at Month 9 Books, Courtney Koschel. (Yes, that’s right. THE Courtney Koschel of this very blog) I’ve been waiting all day to open it. I had to sit through my commute, meetings, board papers, phone calls, and work e-mails thinking about THIS e-mail The one I’m sitting in front of right now. My knee is shaking; I’m biting my bottom lip. Nervous? Yes. Excited? Yes.
I take a deep breath, prepare for the worst, tell myself to be realistic, remind myself that I knew work on Pretty Dark Nothing had only begun, that I knew I would have to revise one more time. I would be called upon to dig even deeper and collaborate with my editor to make it even stronger. After several years of my life, first drafts, revision after revision after revision, polishing, betas, queries, submissions and finally a sale, I was about to come face to face with the real honest truth about my writing. *gulp* What was an editorial letter really going to be like? I know my writing has flaws. Will she point out ones I’m aware of? Will they surprise me? Will my editor ‘get’ my work? How much revision am I really going to need to do?
I close one eye and squint through the other as I open the word document like ripping off a Band-Aid. I nod as I start to read through the comments. I groan at myself for basic flaws that I worked so hard to eradicate. Nothing gets by Courtney. J For a start, show instead of tell. And I thought I was doing so well at this. *sigh* “Skull Hopping” This wasn’t a surprise. I know there are some places where I stubbornly held on to a few ping pong points of view. Retelling- Yep! I know exactly where she’s talking about. Darn. No hiding my lazy writing from this super editor. Timeline issues. OMG! Why didn’t I notice those? And the list goes on. But along with the flaws, she points out the strengths and I know it’s about working on my weaknesses so that the book shines. The great thing? I agree with 99% of her comments. Don’t worry, Courtney, I’ll be calling you about the other 1%. 
We are on the same page and the same team.
So was the first editorial letter really that scary? Yes and no. It’s scary because I know I have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time and because I want PRETTY DARK NOTHING to be the best it can possibly be. I won’t accept any less and I know Courtney is right there with me, supporting me and cheering me on and that’s what makes it not so scary. It’s not just my book anymore. It’s a collaboration between myself and my editor to smooth out the rough edges and slap a coat of fresh paint on it. It’s belongs to my publisher and my publicist and the whole team at Month 9 Books. And ultimately, it belongs to my readers. You have to put ego aside and embrace the comments, to grow, to strive to be a better writer at every step of the way. I thank my editor for believing in me enough to challenge me, to push me to achieve what she knows I’m capable of. So if you don’t hear from me for the next 30 days, know that I’m buried in revisions, working hard to become better than I am. Write on!
Where are you in your writing process? How do you handle being shown the truth about your writing? This doesn’t have to be from an editor, this could be from a beta reader or critique partner.
Courtney Koschel has been writing since she could hold a crayon. She has worked as a journalist, editor, technical writer, and technical editor. Young adult fiction is near and dear to her heart, which is why she writes YA and all of its glorious sub-genres.
Tonia Marie Houston is a mother, writer, poet, bookworm, and blogger. When sheís not chasing her three spider monkeys, she spends her time revising a young adult novel about life after death and second chances. Though she began to pursue her career later in life, she hopes to inspire and motivate other writers to put their best book forward.
This native Texan now lives with her Scottish hubby in North Ayrshire, Scotland, where she wanders the moors in search of William Wallace. She has been a guest blogger on Writer Unboxed and is currently working on the sequel to her YA supernatural novel, Touched by Darkness.
Jamie Raintree writes what she likes to call everyday fairytale love stories, featuring the little moments in life that are truly magical. She lives in Arizona with her husband and daughter and is currently editing her second novel.
Jani Grey is a South African ambivert, writer, reader, optimist, and bacon enthusiast. When her boss isnít looking she writes, revises, or edits YA Urban Fantasies in between work. Sheís sneaky like that. Sheís a NaNoWriMo addict and is currently working on two NaNo novels.
Rebecca Fields is a modern gypsy, roaming from place to place in search of ñ well, sheíll let you know when she finds it. Writing has become a way for her to share her adventures, both real and imagined. Along with her on her journey are her son and an assortment of rescued animals.
Stacey O'Neale
July 4, 2012 at 9:28 am
Your letter wasn’t too hateful. I have an author friend who got a 20 page letter. Yikes! Oh, and Courtney is awesome and so are you.
Heather Reid
July 4, 2012 at 9:56 am
Thanks, Stacey
The letter was a little overwhelming but nothing like 20 pages! I can’t imagine.
Courtney Koschel
July 5, 2012 at 8:09 am
Aw, thank you Stacey
I appreciate the kind words. You’re fabulous yourself!
Tonia Marie Houston
July 4, 2012 at 9:41 am
The two of you will make PDN glow, I’m excited.
I think I feel the same way you do- lots of *skull-hopping*, but a willingness to improve my story, and my writing. It’s hard to kill of all the darlings, isn’t it?
You’ve got this. As my mom told me when I admitted what a coward I really am(you know, worried everyone will find out I’m a phony, ha) “You’ve been preparing for this your entire life. You’ve written the story you were always meant to.” That’s my advice to you now.
Gosh, my momma’s smart.
xox
Heather Reid
July 4, 2012 at 9:59 am
Tonia, your momma is smart! Awesome advice and thank you for reminding me of that. I still sometimes feel like a phoney. Killing darlings isn’t easy and the ones that I haven’t already killed, those are my favorites. *ouch* the next few weeks are going to be painful. I might be wearing black until this revision is over. xx
Jani
July 4, 2012 at 11:46 am
This is so exciting. I love that we can follow your journey. We have a lot of faith in you, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of PDN.
Heather Reid
July 4, 2012 at 2:58 pm
Thanks, Jani.
I couldn’t do it without my support system. Thanks for being one of my biggest cheerleaders. It’s an exciting but tough journey. I’m not complaining thouhg. I can’t wait to read all about your experience. It will happen soon, I can feel it.
ddfalvo
July 4, 2012 at 1:37 pm
It was exciting to vicariously enjoy this milestone with you. I can only hope to get so far. Thanks, Heather for a model that helps me visualize not only my goal, but also the kind of author I want to be.
Heather Reid
July 4, 2012 at 3:07 pm
Thank you. I couldn’t have gotten where I am without the support of other writers like you. I want to share my journey so that others know that if I can make it, so can they. With the right attitude, passion, and willingness to work at it, you will go far. I have no doubt. Keep that dream close and don’t let anyone take it away from you. I’ll be here to celebrate with you when it happens.
Jamie Raintree
July 4, 2012 at 2:18 pm
I’m actually really excited to work with an editor when I get there. Right now I’m constantly trying to improve my work but I’m never quite sure I’m getting the right answer. I look forward to having a second set of eyes on my work.
Congrats on getting to work with the coolest editor.
Heather Reid
July 4, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Having an editor that gets your work and believes in what you can do makes a huge difference. I feel so lucky to have that in Courtney. I know it doesn’t always work out that way. I’ll be honest though, it still doesn’t take away all the insecurities.
I wonder if those ever go away? *sigh*
Rebecca
July 4, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Yay! You’re so close. I can’t imagine how excited you are. Yes, there’s work to be done, but you’ve got a map to follow and a fearless editor/leader who’s there to help you out. Thanks for sharing your journey
Heather Reid
July 5, 2012 at 1:56 am
Thanks Rebecca
*hugs*
bwtaylor75
July 4, 2012 at 6:25 pm
“You have to put ego aside and embrace the comments, to grow, to strive to be a better writer at every step of the way.” Thumbs up for this sentence.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I anxiously awaited my first professional feedback from my freelance editor. I couldn’t wait to see if I was as good as I thought. I wasn’t. But through that editor I learned so much and my writing got better, much better. I still have a ways to go yet, but I know I’m going in the right direction. And that’s what a great editor can do for you, right Courtney?
Where am I in the writing process? I’m critiquing and gathering data on my baby. Through other writer’s eyes, I’ll see what needs fixing. I look at my manuscript now and have a pretty good idea what is lacking, but I told myself not to tinker until all the critiques are returned.
How do I handle the truth about my writing? I embrace it. I learn from it. I live for it. Without the truth, I’d still use the word ‘that’ one thousand times too much. Without the truth, I’d still have dialogue without proper dialogue tags. Without the truth, my writing would stink.
Have fun editing Heather. You’re in the home stretch. You’ll only be a new author once, so you may as well enjoy the ride. I know I will.
Heather Reid
July 5, 2012 at 2:06 am
Brian, I did the same the first time I sent mine out to a freelance editor. And like you, I wasn’t as good as I thought. I also don’t think that particular editor was the right fit for me. If I knew then what I know now, I would have spent more time looking for the right editor. Don’t get me wrong, they still had valuable things to say, but it wasn’t the type of experience that I thought it was going to be. I found my CP’s and Betas gave me far better feedback after that. I DO think hiring a freelance editor is worth it though, if you find the right one. Courtney talks about what you should look for in an editor http://hugs-and-chocolate.com/2012/03/09/questions-to-ask-when-hiring-an-editor/
I wish I had had this list when I was looking for mine!
I know you’ll make it because you have the right attitude. You’re willing to look at the truth, to grow, to become better. This will take you all the way! You’re doing everything right by seeking feedback and looking for flaws.
Thanks for always being willing to share and open up with this community about your journey. We value that. And we’re here cheering you on.
Stacy S. Jensen
July 4, 2012 at 10:59 pm
I’m glad you shared this experience. I hate having a “Doh” moment when someone gives me a critique. I hope to one day experience this with an editor. Good luck with the changes.
Heather Reid
July 5, 2012 at 1:56 am
You will, Stacy! It’s amazing how may “Doh!” moments I still have. Even though I felt like I had been over the MS with a fine toothed comb, I would never be able to pick up all the flaws on my own. My CP’s and Betas helped me cull a lot to get me through the publishing door, but my eiditor has taken it to a whole new level. That’s what it’s about. I know you’ll experience some day too and can’t wait to hear all about it.
Victoria-writes
July 5, 2012 at 6:20 am
This is really exciting, good luck with making the edits! I think it’s great you and your editor can work so well together!
Courtney Koschel
July 5, 2012 at 11:15 am
Yay! I’m very excited and happy for you. I know you’re going to nail these revisions. Glad we were able to chat this morning!