I'm Editing My First Book

With a Lot of Help from My Friends

I am editing my first book, a goal I’ve had for years. It is finally coming to fruition.

The encouragement of my editor at The Animal Companion Magazine has kept the dream alive. I am glad she is patient, because it has taken me years to reach this point.

I would have remained stuck if I hadn’t joined A Writing Room. The education, experience, beta readers, feedback, and inspiration from my cohort, the leadership team, workshop instructors, and my writing partner, Karen Loucks Rinedollar, have been instrumental in getting me this far.

Photo by Ranurte on Unsplash

We are finishing up this year’s Editing Camp. I took a brave leap and signed up for the (optional) Beta Reading Partner.

And that has made a tremendous difference.

Paula Lee has carefully, and conscientiously, read my manuscript multiple times, made suggestions and shows me places for improvement each time we meet virtually. She even prayed about how to best help me with my writing. I’m deeply touched that she cares to that degree. I am returning the favor.

I am learning so much that I would have never learned otherwise. Each time I read chapters from her wonderful novel, I learn ways to improve my own work.

We both agree that we were missing out on an incredibly helpful experience, by not handing our work over to others to critique.

Photo by George Pagan III on Unsplash

In our first meetup, we were both nervous. Neither of us had been a beta reader before, or helped to edit someone else’s manuscript. We weren’t sure of the best way to help each other.

We have the main skill though. We care. Our hearts are all in.

We both want to help the other make their story the best it can be. And we want to help each other convey the heart and soul, the meaning, of our stories to readers.

I was nervous about highlighting any areas in her manuscript that I felt could possibly use work. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. She had similar reservations.

We both want to improve our manuscripts, though. And that common goal has helped us grow in courage.

I cautiously presented a few items I’d noticed that she may want to consider revising. She was grateful for the feedback - enthusiastic, even.

Then she gave me a GIFT. She offered to read the first chapter of my book to me.

If you have never heard someone read your words to you, it is a deeply moving, powerful experience. It is affirming and helpful.

We hear often how important it is to read your work out loud. You may hear things during the reading that could be completely missed while reading silently.

This new practice will be one of my most important editing passes going forward. I am so grateful to Paula for showing me the power of hearing my work out loud.

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Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

In a few weeks, A Writing Room is offering an exciting workshop - The Pub Club. Our cohort will fully prepare our manuscripts for publication. We will self-publish our books before the end of this year! I am excited to participate. Our AWR bookshelves are growing.

Today’s Takeaway:

• Allow others to read and critique your work. You will learn things that you may never notice otherwise. It is to YOUR benefit! Your writing will improve.

• Read your work aloud. Even better, allow someone to read your work aloud to you. You will hear things in your writing that you will never see while reading silently.

• Take a chance: get a writing partner, get a beta reading partner, sign up for membership in a collective (you know by now which one I love 🥰✍🏼🥰. Hint, it is A Writing Room), take a workshop, GIFT yourself whatever you need right now to move your writing career forward. You deserve that investment in your creativity. YOU matter!

What Is Your Takeaway?

• What gift will you give yourself to move your writing life forward?

• How will you immerse yourself in learning a new skill?

• How will you invest (time, practice or financially) in your writing, in yourself, this week?