Many moons ago (ten years) I published my very first book, a novella, with a small press. I was sooooo excited! I’d made it! I can still remember dancing around the kitchen after receiving the acceptance email, laughing-crying, downright giddy. I could write and a person in the industry had just confirmed it! To paraphrase Ms. Fields, a publisher liked me. (My critique partners were encouraging but it’s different when praise comes from a professional editor.)
I dove into the publishing process and learned just how clueless I was. And, like many first time authors, I listened to my editor without question. She knew better, right? (She did know better about many things particularly when it came to my comma placement.)
I got the rights back to that novella late last year intending to give it a quick read-through, change location names so the story will fit in my new series, and hit publish. Wham, bam, well…ah…who wrote this lifeless drivel?!?
Now, I know my writing has changed over the years and my skills have improved (thank gods and goddesses), but my voice has remained consistent. I have journals from twenty years ago with the proof. Somehow during the editing of the novella, I got watered down.
Curious as to how it happened, I searched on my computer for earlier drafts. I discovered exactly where I messed up – and it was me, the newbie author, who did the messing. The editorial feedback had been good – tighten this paragraph, be sure to show and don’t tell, put the GMC on the page – all good stuff. My newbie self just went about fixing it in the wrong way leaving a tightly written, well-illustrated, flat piece of writing.
I’m pleased to say that editing of If I Win (new title to better fit the series) is progressing apace despite the global turmoil, and the new and improved novella will be launched next month.
Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. She spends her days writing spicy contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and historical romance. When not torturing her heroes and heroines, she’s in her kitchen baking something delicious. She lives in Nova Scotia with her patient husband and two spoiled cats.
Guess who’s moving in next door?
Nicole Bennett is used to bad luck—it’s kind of a family curse. She’s spent the past year stitching her life back together after losing her dream job. Well, it paid the rent. Now stuck working at her family’s grocery store while wrangling a demoralized dad and a spoiled-brat sister, the last thing she needs is for the man who wrecked her life to move in next door, even if it is for only three weeks. So what if he’s sexier than sin and makes her believe in fairy tale endings?
Ross Calvert’s life in the fast lane crashed when he lost his job and fiancée. All he’s got to show for years of hard work are a sleek sports car and a closet full of designer suits – minus the closet. Determined to salvage his relationship with his best friend, he trades in the corporate life for a brief stint as a caregiver. The decision was simple—until he discovers the tempting vixen he wronged lives next door. Maybe she’s what he needs to reboot his life.
What starts off as a no-strings fling soon veers into making promises that might be impossible to keep.
3 comments:
Luanna, thanks for your important words. Editing is important bot developmental and copy. Writers have a story to tell and there is passion and a purpose behind their stories. When editors dilute the passion and divert the purpose, I think the story becomes their story and is no longer the writers.
As one of your critique partners WAY BACK then and also currently, I can say I did enjoy your book, when we were looking it over. Can't wait to read the newest version when it comes out. If you haven't read this series yet, I encourage you to do so. It is fun, steamy, fast-paced, filled with humor and drama, and great dialogue. Good luck, Luanna, and good for you in persevering the edits on a 10-year-old story :-)
Luanna, You bring up a problem I think many writers face when editing--either self-editing or following comments from beta readers or editors. That is: "“fixed my voice out of the story." It's unfortunate your editor didnt' see that and make you do another round.
This is also one of the reasons I'm not a big fan of large critique groups for new writers. They are good to teach the basics of point-of-view, grammar, pacing. But far too often a new, unsure who she is or her voice, writer tries to please the many voices in the group. That ends with a story that is 100% good grammar, great sentence structure, maybe even little passive voice, but without heart. As you indicated without the "writer's voice."
Good for you in understanding that and recognizing what YOUR voice is. Sounds like this edited story will be your best yet.
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