Last Friday, I went to my editor/publisher so we could work on my new book (the cover is already done, you can see it here). I got to her place a little before 9 AM; when we finished, it was a little after 4 PM. There were interruptions — she has an accounting firm to run — but most of the time we were working on the book.
Story by story, 27 of them.
It’s not that there was a lot to change. The changes were all small, but it’s still small changes in 27 stories.
Change shower gel to a soap, otherwise you have shower two times in the same sentence (the book is in Serbian, and Serbian tolerates repetitiveness much less than English).
Their, their, their, kick out some and use another word.
First you say that he doesn’t want her to be protective, and later that he wishes her to protect him. He’s scared and confused, he doesn’t know himself what he wants. Are you going to stand next to every reader of yours and explain that to them?
No, he couldn’t see that and then park the car and get out. First he parks the car, then he sees it, then he gets out of the vehicle. Otherwise he’s going to crash into something.
I love Crnjanski‘s long sentences, even when they’re awkward, but please, split that one into 2. And that one into 3. 4.
Crnjanski says hello.
Here. Where is this here? Her apartment?
He was her beloved grandfather, you don’t need to explain that she was supposed to come to his funeral.
No need to tell that the routine was usual.
Repetitiveness.
That sentence is confusing, how about this?
From 9 AM to 4 PM.
It was great. Exhausting, but fun. And it really helped me make my stories better.
Some people complain about editors, and I guess that, since editors are humans like everyone else, it is possible to run into one who is the wrong one for you. Me, I’ve had luck so far; I got along with the every editor I worked with just fine.
Better than fine. It was a lot of fun, and something good was created.
How about you? What’s your experience with editors?
I’ve been really fortunate with my editors. We get along really well and work well together. It’s so important that the editor/author relationship is a good one.
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Oh, yes, I’ve been fortunate too. It really helps when the relationship is a good one.
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Working with an editor is something I have not experienced, but I feel your satisfaction come through. How excited you must be as this is coming together. I’m happy for you. 🙂
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Watching your book come together is always exciting. Thank you for the kind words. 🙂
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I had my first experience with editors was a couple of years ago when a short story I had written was published in a collection … it is a bit of an ego knock initially, but at the end of the day they want to make the story better and sometimes what sounds good to us doesn’t sound good or make sense to others. I guess sometimes we are just too close to something. It sounds like you had a mammoth session though and I’m sure it was worth it!!
Very exciting!
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When we write a story, we don’t see it as it is on the paper, we still see that beautiful idea in our head. Editors help that beauty shine through.
It was sure worth it, it not only improved my stories, it also helped me pay attention to the certain details in my further work. 🙂
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I have had the same, positive but exhausting during the editing process. I like the second set of eyes..
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The second set of eyes sees what the first doesn’t. 🙂
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I love editors! Although, I guess I am biased because I have been one earlier in my career. But really, they can tighten up prose and make a good piece of work even better. Glad you had a good experience.
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I love them too! They make my works better, what’s not to love? 🙂
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Productive sessions like this always make one feel like all the work is worth it. Brainstorming, picking at scenes then phrases then words … breaks your back but it’s a good, good sweat. So happy you work well with your editor! I used to be an editor. Didn’t enjoy it too much, but now that I’m my own editor, I’m grateful for that experience.
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I’m sure that the experience is very helpful. 🙂
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