The feeling when you finish writing your first book is…, more than fantastic.
You have completed the story and you can’t wait to see it in print.
For most new writers, it gets sent to Beta readers, goes through edits and then as the excitement builds, you publish. It’s your story, your baby and you want to share it with the world.
Problem number one. You are a new author, still studying and learning the craft.
But your story is fantastic and you know everyone wants to read it NOW!
Problem number two. Did you hire an editor?
No, you are a new author, we can’t afford editors. Oh, but you had an English teacher read it to pick up any errors and Beta readers. So, it must be okay.
Problem number three. Do you really know all the pitfalls that can take away from your superb story?
You took courses on writing from very respected authors. Didn’t that help?
Wrong, wrong and wrong.
I was the new author I described above, so excited at completing my first and second book, I published too soon. I have since learned to write a novel, is more than telling a story. New authors have a tendency to use too many words to describe something, over explaining, telling instead of showing. These are all things the English teacher and beta readers won’t pick up on. Don’t get me wrong, the story is the most important thing but if you have errors, it detracts from your story. As a new author you will have errors, seasoned authors have errors, not as many as new authors, but still they have errors. Why? Because we are more focused on the story then the craft. A good editor has studied the craft and takes away the fluff words, corrects where you tell instead of show and all the other things you, the new author, never thought of. They understand, structure, flow and readability.
No matter how good the English teacher is or how many beta readers you have, they are not editors. They are readers and if they enjoy the story, they too will overlook errors.
Most editors are financially out of reach for a new author, you haven’t made money yet, so you cut corners. Editing is not the corner to cut.
I have been blessed to find an affordable editor, Debra Rard Ledford, she is not only my editor but my mentor. She tells me why something needs to be fixed, improves the flow of the words, and makes my story better. She is what every new author needs and I am so grateful she agreed to edit mine. She is amazing. Pointing out things I never thought of, and things I knew but overlooked due to my excitement.
Debra is very knowledgeable and patient. I may have caused a few gray hairs for her with my overuse of certain words. She is straightforward and kind, but does not hesitate to tell me what is wrong and why it is wrong. I needed that more than I realized.
I have now published edited versions of my first two books in The Descendants Trilogy and will continue with the third book a more confident writer. I am and will be learning this craft for a long while. Thank you Debra, for polishing my stories and teaching me.
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