Today, I've invited back Rachael Brimble. She'll be answering questions through the weekend. I love her new cover as well as her work. Please say hi to Rachael.
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Working with Editors – I love it!
In January 2007, after two lots of revisions The Wild Rose Press emailed that they
wanted to buy my first novel, ‘Searching For Sophie’. I was beyond happy, I was literally comatose! I must have read the email at least ten times before I managed to walk into the living room to tell my husband.He freaked out as much as me!
So with the pair of us dancing around the living room, the kids laughing and the dog barking, I thought this is it…the hard part is done, my first book has been accepted and so will the second and the third and the fourth, I’ll get an agent and the money will pour in. PLEASE stop laughing at me, what did I know??
Anyhoo…I wised up pretty darn quick, starting with editing. Editing, editing, editing. Do you love it or hate it? I personally LOVE it. At first. But by round four plus the galley, I am ready to scream. But then you get to see your cover art, your book is out there and people are actually buying it, yeeehaa!!
Another four books later and I go through the same emotions with every book – and I pray I can keep doing this forever. I love writing. It’s all I want to do, all of the time. Ahem, much to my family’s often total neglect!
Over the last few weeks I have had two aspiring writers ask me the same question – what does an editor do? Not in the technical sense, but how do they actual help you develop as a writer as well as working flat out to make your latest work shine?
In the last three years I have worked with six different editors and each of them has taught me a valuable lesson. Six different lessons have made me six times a stronger writer, surely? Here they are:
Editor 1 – Self-belief and the importance of character motivation
Editor 2 – Redundant words (that, also, even, little, so, just) – get rid of ‘em!
Editor 3 - Dig deeper, there is always more to reveal about your hero & heroine
Editor 4 – That I could write historicals, yay! And the importance of layering the conflict into your story, a little bit at a time to keep the tension high
Editor 5 – The dreaded passive point of view (I sometimes still slip, it’s an ongoing process, people!)
Editor 6 – Repetition - Watch those favourite buzz words or phrases!
There is so much more but these are the bullet points that leap to mind when I think of each editor I have worked with – they have all been amazing in very different ways. Three cheers for our editors! Hip hip…
My latest release is with Lyrical Press, a contemporary romance called ‘Getting It Right This Time’ (edited by fabulous editor number six!)
Blurb:
She's back, but this time she’s a mother…intent on protecting her young.
Two years after her husband’s death, Kate Marshall returns home seeking security and stability for her three-year-old daughter. But when her path crosses with ‘the one who got away’…her husband’s best friend, she has to fight the desire to be with him for the sake of further heartbreak for her and her daughter.
A tough, straight talking theatrical agent, Mark Johnston is dangerously handsome, exceedingly rich, irresistibly charming – and branded by the tabloids as one of the UK’s most eligible bachelors. So even though Mark lost the girl of his dreams to his best friend, he finds no hardship in being single. Or so he thought.
Determined not to lose her a second time, Mark has to find a way to convince her they can work. But can Kate cope with the media interest and ruthless, money-hungry clients surrounding him, being anywhere near her daughter? Or accept that Mark Johnston is really the family man he claims to be?
Buy Link:
http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=81&products_id=296
www.rachelbrimble.com
www.rachelbrimble.blogspot.com
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Hi Rachel and Autumn,
ReplyDeleteNice to "see" you both today!
Rachel, I reactedt he same way when I got my first acceptance. Read it over a dozen times to be sure it actually said what I thought it said, told the hubby, danced around the house!
And I'm with you, too. Getting a contract is only the beginning. I've learned so much since being a published author...things I thought I never needed to know! And I'm still learning. I am fortuate to have a FABULOUS editor, and she has made all of the learning curves much easier to take.
Congrats on your new release!
Hi Rachel!
ReplyDeleteThat must be the standard reaction to the first sale :)!
I loved working with my editor and I enjoyed the whole editing process. I agree with you, a good editor finds your weaknesses, points them out, and makes you fix them. In my case, the romance plot needed strengthening, I'm better at the mystery/suspense plot, and Lori asked me questions about character behavior, motivation, etc. that got me thinking and in the end I think Ring of Lies was a much better book. Editors are an invaluable second set of eyes and they can remain objective because they've nothing invested in the story: we writers think of our books as kids ;)
Editors can be a huge help in digging through a manuscript and helping you polish it for your readers. The editors I've worked with at TWRP are the best.
ReplyDeleteRachael, Thanks again for being a guest and covering for me. You're the best.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting all of your editors looked for tottally different things. I've worked with three so far. My first editor actually asked me to move a scene and rewrite the ending. After I thought about her request, she was right. Keeping a detail hidden a little longer made the book stronger.
I love editing too, BTW.
Yay, I'm here, I'm here! So sorry to be away, the time difference between the US and the UK is a nightmare at the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI've managed to escape unnoticed from hubby, kids + saturday night TV to pop in a short visit!
A good editor is worth his or her weight in gold as far - I have learnt so much through my editors and look forward to learning more.
So fantastic to see you all here, I will be back in the morning (its 9.10pm here) to talk some more!
Love R x
I've been lucky so far, I've only had one editor that wasn't my favorite, but the rest have been total gems.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, very informative. I have worked with several editors from three different publishing houses, and I found, like you, that they have all given me something different.
regards
Margaret
Nice to see you again PL & Margaret! I am so glad I decided to blog about my editors - isn't it nice to acknowledge what they do for us? I look forward to working with every new editor I have because I know it is inevitable I will learn something new.
ReplyDeleteWhat has been the best advice any of you have ever received?
R x