Confessions from the Editing Cave with Megan O'Russell

Welcome back to yet another installment of Confessions from the Editing Cave. Today in the confessional -- young adult author, Megan O'Russell!

1. Tell us a bit about your background working with editor(s). Did you hire a freelance editor? Work with an editor at a publishing house? Work with an agent in the capacity of an editor? All of the above or some other combination?

All of the editors I have ever worked with have been assigned by my publishers. Other than my assigned editors, I also use my husband as a beta reader and preliminary editor, which helps speed up the official editing process.

2. What was your overall relationship with your editor? Good? Bad? Indifferent?

I have always been lucky enough to have really wonderful and supportive editors. I may not have always agreed with every change they wanted made, but in a healthy professional relationship, it’s all right to disagree. I can tell them why I want to keep something in the book the way it is. And no matter what ends up happening, I know it’s in the best interest of the text.

3. What was the best edit you’ve ever received from your editor?

I think it came from my first editor. It wasn’t any note in particular. She helped wean me of my tendency to head hop, and for that I am extremely grateful!

4. What was the worst edit you’ve ever received from your editor?

Making me remove a third POV that was only used for a few scenes in The Tethering. It took out a few scenes the neither of the protagonists are in, so that action became unknown. But it worked out for the best, leaving more mystery going into book two in the series, The Siren’s Realm. 

5. What was your first, initial, gut-reaction to your edits?

First, I get some comfort food, then I go down and look at the comments and track changes. Then I evaluate whether I should curl up in a ball and cry or not. Usually I just walk around, looking like a half-crazed zombie for a few days until the shock has worn off. Then once I’ve gotten over the hardest of the edits, I’m pretty good at breezing through the rest.

6. Confession time! Share anything else you’d like to confess.

I dress in my gray polar fleece robe and binge eat until it’s over. If they want a different POV for a scene, I’ve been known to edit with wine. I’ve also run through the house shouting to my husband that I need a flying, silver fox. Edits make me a bit crazy, but it’s the price you pay for publication!

ALL ABOUT MEGAN:

Megan O’Russell is thrilled to have her premier novel The Tethering published with Silence in the Library Publishing. Book two in The Tethering series, The Siren’s Realm, is currently available for pre-order. Megan’s work can also be found the anthology Athena’s Daughter’s 2.

Originally from New York, Megan is a professional actress who spends her time traveling the country for different shows. When not on stage or writing, Megan spends time with her beloved ukulele and her wonderful husband. To follow Megan’s writing adventures, you can visit her on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.