I'm going to discuss my favorite topic—editing. Seriously, it's my least favorite. When an editor returns a manuscript and those bubbles fill the side of the page, I cringe. What was I thinking? What did I do? What isn't clear? Oops, forgot a word. Scrolling on, the pages with no comments allow me to breathe easier. All in all, the revisions improve the manuscript. Make it shine. I love to see the final version. So why do I detest the task of editing so much?
I'll tell you why. It's not that I'm close to my work, as if it were my "baby". Hell no. I can change a scene or take something out without a second thought. That doesn't bother me. What brings me down with edits is the time involved and the whole rethinking process to make sure everything runs smooth. It's a time consuming task, and quite frankly, I'd rather be writing. Edits always come through when I'm in the middle of another project. Not the editor's fault. That's just the way the world spins. So, I'm having to put aside the project I'm happily working on to revise the last book or the one from a year ago. Naturally, I don't want to do it. (The kid in me is coming out.)
After several deep breaths, I remind myself the finished product will be good. It always is. Not to mention, edits are part of the "writing process". I learn from my mistakes, which means I apply what I've learned to future projects, which should reduce the amount of edits. One day. I hope. LOL.
Bottom line, it's good to have an editor and to revise a manuscript. Although I'm not fond of the task of editing, I would never publish without an editor reviewing my work. The time spent revising is well worth it. I deeply appreciate editors for taking their time to read and make comments (sometimes four times). After all, they have the difficult part of the "publication journey". Writers spill the beans and editors grab the mop and point where to clean. Their job is not one I'd want, but I totally respect and appreciate, even if I'm the one cleaning up the mess. LOL. The finished product always shines, and that is what we all want.
My urban fantasy novel, The Awakening, comes out next month (January 2012). Here's the blurb:
Two investigators--one human, one vampire--find a young woman among a mass of dead bodies. She has no memories, and nothing but her clothes, two receipts, and a mysterious dagger carved with the initials 'SB'.
As she seeks her identity, SB realizes she's unlike any other creature in the world, making her the most valuable person on the planet. And the most wanted.
I have 4 other books published. They are paranormal/urban fantasy romances. The Soul Catcher series includes:
Catching an Evil Tail
Fighting Evil
Available from Noble Romance Publishing, Amazon, All Romance Ebooks, and more.
Happy Holidays!!
Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy Author
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