It’s been a few years since my experience working with an editor. However, I continue to apply the skills and spiritual lessons learned in other areas of my life and writing. I want to share these things with you, in hopes that you will benefit from it.
Pray through every moment!
Scripture tells us to “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) for a very good reason! Keeping connected to the One who has given us this story in the first place, to share for His glory and the building of His kingdom, is vital. Prayer is about sharing your joys and triumphs, failures and struggles with the Eternal, Glorious Father who cares for you. Ask for your needs, pour out your heart before Him, rejoice and give thanks for every success.
Take time to listen to the editor’s convictions and express your own before beginning the editing process.
It really clarifies some of the edits that he/she makes and allows you to get through the edits more quickly. My editor specifically told me of one conviction she had, which was to capitalize the names of God, Jesus, etc. and the pronouns following it. I told her I agreed, although I purposefully did not capitalize the pronouns when an unbeliever was talking, to easily distinguish their stance. With that known before the editing process, we could both easily understand when “he” became “He” or vice versa. And it established a groundwork for her ability to help me achieve my goals.
Be willing to ask questions when you’re unsure, rather than just make a decision.
It is better to spend more time on the editing island than leave it with regrets.
Have someone go over the suggested edits with you.
I did not do this, but I wish I had, because authors are so close to their own stories that they often don’t see how the edit would benefit the story in the same way a family member or friend would.
Know your convictions and make a plan to stand firm in them.
Once, my editor asked me to show something instead of telling it, and I told her I wasn’t comfortable doing so, because I wanted to guard the purity of my readers. By telling it, rather than putting a specific mental image in their head, my conscience was clear before God. She totally respected that.
You, also, will come across these kinds of scenarios, so put a plan in place of how you will respond with love and grace without compromising your convictions.
However, don’t be defensive about your work.
One thing I regret in the editing process is getting a little fired up about a remark my editor made about the theme. Instead of asking her to clarify her viewpoint and what she suggested to help me make it better understood for readers, I defended my viewpoint. And, honestly, I think the book suffered some from that.
One important thing to realize is that the editors (generally) aren’t saying the book is bad because the theme or characters, etc. need work. The whole role of an editor is to point out the areas that still need work and help you fix errors!
Step back, pray. Ask another person to look it over with you. Allow the editor clarify his/her viewpoint and suggestions. Then, return to the edit when you can see clearly.
Through it all, I learned many key tools to editing my book, and even adapted some of the way I wrote to eliminate some editing later. I’m very thankful to God for everything, especially spiritually, that He taught me through the experience!
I hope this is a help to you in your journey!
