Early Feedback
Last week I was clicking through Instagram stories and I saw one my editor, Lauren, posted. She was at the airport and she said she was working on edits for a debut novel of a client of hers. I couldn't help myself and I replied to her story saying that I selfishly hoped it was mine. After giving her my book I was put into this weird waiting period. It kind of reminded me of the weeks I waited for my ACT score to come back, or to find out what colleges I got into.
I know she only takes two clients per month to do edits for, so chances were good it was mine. She responded that it was! And then many hours later she wrote me an email to provide her first insights, even though she isn't obligated to give me any until our agreed upon deadline of April 28th.
Lauren had finished reading my book while flying to Africa on a trip with her husband. How cool is it that my book was entertaining someone while on a flight? It's surreal to me that my book kept her company.
She also said, "You masterfully introduced so many resonant storylines that were brought together in such a satisfying--though not always easy--conclusion. The detail, the plot twists, the family dynamics, friendships, and relationship complexities, the flood of emotions at every moment...genuinely incredible!"
I was NOT prepared for this level of praise. Don't get me wrong, it felt incredible to hear after working so hard for so long, but I was expecting her to tell me all the ways in which my book was amateur, that it was nowhere near ready to be published.
When you hire an editor you are essentially paying someone else to nitpick your work and point out all your errors. I guess as I worked on my book I constantly questioned if it was good enough. Did it convey the message I intended? Was it really ready to be shared with the world? Her words gave me the push I needed to keep going bravely forward.
Now, I'm certain when I get my copy back from her with all the tracked changes I will be humbled. I'm sure I missed several commas, didn't start a new line when I was supposed to, or overused certain words or phrases, but I'm prepared for it. I want my story to be the best it possibly can be, and it's getting so close to being ready.
Once she returns my manuscript I have a two week window to set up virtual meetings with her to go over anything I'd like to ask her about her feedback. I'm very much looking forward to that.
