Right?! I am so lucky that she agreed to share it… And work with me in the first place! And readers will be so lucky when they get to read Elaine’s book.
Loved this--working with an insightful editor can change EVERYTHING. I'm in the querying waiting game limbo, too. I'm getting good movement--but it ain't over 'til...well...someone signs on the proverbial line! Here's to writers AND their magical editors.
Thank you! 🙏🏻 Oh yay, Diana! That’s so promising and exciting. Fingers crossed for both of us that someone offers. 🤞🏻🫶🏻🤩🥳 And yes, Kristen is very magical. ❤️🥰
As someone very much in the beginning stages of writing, I want to say thank you for being so transparent about your process! It has given me a huge sense of relief, as I am also a natural collaborator and feel so much more at ease when someone helps me feel I am part of a team. It sounds like you found just that! Congrats and I can't wait to see the end result!! 💃🏻🪩📚❤️🙏🏽
You’re so welcome, Julia. When you finish your manuscript, you’ll be way ahead of soooo many writers so you can absolutely do it. 😘🫶🏻 Just keep going and then Kristen can help you polish everything up. 🥳🤩 There is also no timeline. Only your timeline. ☺️
Thank you for that, Elaine! It may sound ridiculous, but that permission to "take the time it takes", or, as you say, "there is no timeline," is so freeing.
Love this honest insight into the process (and I'm so glad it was relatively angst-free!). When you find an editor who really gets your vision it makes the process a pleasure. A good editor is worth their weight in gold! And big thanks for the shout out! 🥰
Great advise and the process well analysed! I used a developmental editor twice: for my first book, which was accepted for publication, and although I didn't apply all the suggestions, the encouragement received and pointing me in the direction that I needed to take the manuscript, led my draft to a real novel. The second time was for my WIP—a memoir—which I sent last week to my publisher for approval. I am waiting in suspense if it made the cut. Most of us need a second set of eyes to bring an objective view to the product of our imagination. As to an agent: I gave up and approached small publishers directly. At my age I cannot waste too many years, or go back to university and get a MFA.
Congrats, Johanna, on being accepted for publication. 👏🏻🥳 I completely agree that it’s impossible to be objective in a self edit, especially in my case when I’m an avid reader but didn’t know how to get what I had written to look anything like a finished novel (which has generally gone through extensive rounds of edits with professionals). Even if I do get an agent and publisher, I can’t see myself not requiring Kristen’s help. 🤣😅
I loved learning about working with Kristen. I'm hoping to approach her, since she's the editor of one of my favorite authors, Melissa Foster. I haven't had much luck with just finding readers and I've had others from a professor or a UNI grad demand that I change something in my first novel. You hear horror stories about some editors, its good to know that Kristen is easy to work with. My life is precarious right now with job uncertainty, pet grief/loss, new puppy..fifty-eight and going crazy.
Tina, I feel for you and I’m so so sorry to hear about your grief. Losing loved ones is difficult (and especially if they’re beloved pets). Also sorry to hear about your job uncertainty. I’d say, if you have the resources, reach out to Kristen as you never know and it’s always your novel. Nothing should be changed unless you agree with the changes. 🫶🏻😘 I wish you so much luck with your novel and your journey. 🥰🤞🏻
Love it! It's so interesting to have the perspective from the writer on the editing/revising process.
Right?! I am so lucky that she agreed to share it… And work with me in the first place! And readers will be so lucky when they get to read Elaine’s book.
🥰🫶🏻🥹🥹🥹
Loved this--working with an insightful editor can change EVERYTHING. I'm in the querying waiting game limbo, too. I'm getting good movement--but it ain't over 'til...well...someone signs on the proverbial line! Here's to writers AND their magical editors.
Thank you! 🙏🏻 Oh yay, Diana! That’s so promising and exciting. Fingers crossed for both of us that someone offers. 🤞🏻🫶🏻🤩🥳 And yes, Kristen is very magical. ❤️🥰
YES! Best of luck to us both. Sending you all the positive vibes I can. Diana
🌟
As someone very much in the beginning stages of writing, I want to say thank you for being so transparent about your process! It has given me a huge sense of relief, as I am also a natural collaborator and feel so much more at ease when someone helps me feel I am part of a team. It sounds like you found just that! Congrats and I can't wait to see the end result!! 💃🏻🪩📚❤️🙏🏽
You’re so welcome, Julia. When you finish your manuscript, you’ll be way ahead of soooo many writers so you can absolutely do it. 😘🫶🏻 Just keep going and then Kristen can help you polish everything up. 🥳🤩 There is also no timeline. Only your timeline. ☺️
Thank you for that, Elaine! It may sound ridiculous, but that permission to "take the time it takes", or, as you say, "there is no timeline," is so freeing.
Can’t wait to hear updates on how you’re doing. 🫶🏻😘
Fantastic reflection on editing services!
Thank you 🙏🏻
Love this honest insight into the process (and I'm so glad it was relatively angst-free!). When you find an editor who really gets your vision it makes the process a pleasure. A good editor is worth their weight in gold! And big thanks for the shout out! 🥰
🫶🏻 So glad I found your Substack and your Arvon course. 😘 My journey started from there… ❤️
Great advise and the process well analysed! I used a developmental editor twice: for my first book, which was accepted for publication, and although I didn't apply all the suggestions, the encouragement received and pointing me in the direction that I needed to take the manuscript, led my draft to a real novel. The second time was for my WIP—a memoir—which I sent last week to my publisher for approval. I am waiting in suspense if it made the cut. Most of us need a second set of eyes to bring an objective view to the product of our imagination. As to an agent: I gave up and approached small publishers directly. At my age I cannot waste too many years, or go back to university and get a MFA.
My grandfather was also born in the Netherlands! 🇳🇱🥰
I hope your memoir is accepted. Keep us posted! 😘🤞🏻
Congrats, Johanna, on being accepted for publication. 👏🏻🥳 I completely agree that it’s impossible to be objective in a self edit, especially in my case when I’m an avid reader but didn’t know how to get what I had written to look anything like a finished novel (which has generally gone through extensive rounds of edits with professionals). Even if I do get an agent and publisher, I can’t see myself not requiring Kristen’s help. 🤣😅
I loved learning about working with Kristen. I'm hoping to approach her, since she's the editor of one of my favorite authors, Melissa Foster. I haven't had much luck with just finding readers and I've had others from a professor or a UNI grad demand that I change something in my first novel. You hear horror stories about some editors, its good to know that Kristen is easy to work with. My life is precarious right now with job uncertainty, pet grief/loss, new puppy..fifty-eight and going crazy.
Tina, I feel for you and I’m so so sorry to hear about your grief. Losing loved ones is difficult (and especially if they’re beloved pets). Also sorry to hear about your job uncertainty. I’d say, if you have the resources, reach out to Kristen as you never know and it’s always your novel. Nothing should be changed unless you agree with the changes. 🫶🏻😘 I wish you so much luck with your novel and your journey. 🥰🤞🏻
Hi Elaine:
I have three novels: Let It Be Me, The Sweet Life, A Gift, all over written, so, I need to cut them down. Thank you so much.
Love this! Lots to work with then. 😘