If you manage to get words on the page, you then have to hope they're good ones. You go back and read, and find you've used "look" ten times in the same scene. Ten times. And you're flabbergasted you didn't notice.
I mean...how can that be?
But, you sigh, maybe roll your eyes, or roll up your sleeves, and change them to something better. Once done, you check your work. No more "look". Great!
You move on.
Then comes the day you're finished and can send it to your editor. And you have read and read and read through your book and you feel confident that she isn't going to find any ridiculous mistakes.
Ha!
Not only does she point out that you've used "smile" 32 times, but she also finds "look". And you want to bang your head against your laptop.
Then comes the devastating and embarrassing moment when she politely tells you that you've used the wrong version of "lay".
And you think, did I even read this book?
It's amazing. Truly. The work an editor does. She is indispensable.
Never think your story doesn't need another set of eyes on it. It does. There is nothing more distracting than a sentence missing its period.
I love my editor. Her name is Mrs. Bennett, which is perfectly perfect for me because I am a Pride and Prejudice girl. I will never call Mrs. Bennett by her first name. And she is a stickler for good writing. And smart. And sticks to her guns. And she let's me start my sentences with "and".
She is priceless.
So find yourself a good one, and never be too proud to take her advice, because I promise you'll need it!
I dedicated The Editor's Kisses to my editors. It seemed quite appropriate given the title, and the fact that Stephen Dawson tries to start a newspaper on his own. Silly man! We all need a little help, and he gets it in the form of Constance Forrester, a lady intent on achieving the vote for women and holding off marriage as long as she can. But Stephen's steady assault is too much for Constance and she falls head over heels in love, only to discover she might lose everything she never knew she always wanted.
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This is the gospel truth!!! every writer needs an editor. I wish people in general had an editor whisper in their ear before they spoke!
ReplyDeleteOh! That would be awesome. So much better!
DeleteI start many sentences with 'And' especially dialogue, Because that's how people talk! And yes, it always amazes me the things that get past us even if we read the book fifty times.
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ReplyDeleteYay! Other "And" people! (Great, now my high school English teacher is now going to haunt me) Your post is OH SO TRUE, Kara. And, that is a lovely book cover!
ReplyDeleteHa! Yes, mine, too. And thank you!
DeleteI wonder if any book is totally error free. I am going through an old one of mine originally published by S&S. Lots of eyes were on that book, editors, copy editors, mine, and I found a spelling mistake. Sheesh!
ReplyDeleteIt's so annoying. After all the work! Typing can be the biggest problem.
DeleteI remember hearing once about an author who submitted a manuscript to an editor, and the poor author had a typo in her own name. I figure if I never make that goof, I'm ahead of the game.
ReplyDeleteKara, you have the loveliest covers on your books.
Oh, gosh! That's probably been one of my nightmares. And thank you for the compliment of my covers! I love them. My publisher has a great cover artist.
DeleteOkay, here's a perfect example. I'm selecting the quote for October that will appear at the top of the right sidebar. I'm looking just now at the quote that is there and realize there are 2 open quotation marks! Agh!
ReplyDeleteBtw, that quote addresses the concerns of beginning a sentence with And. "...if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can’t allow what we learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative." —Elmore Leonard
I'm with the late great Mr. Leonard on that.
Yes! That's exactly why I use "and". It can bring so much emotion when you use it. Completely agree with Mr. Leonard.
DeleteI love this. And I'm another "and" person. Mr. Leonard was right, wasn't he?
ReplyDeleteHe sure was!
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