Confessions from the Editing Cave with JM Stewart

Welcome back to yet another installment of Confessions from the Editing Cave. Today in the confessional -- romance author, Joanne Stewart!

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?

Hmm. Let’s see. I’ve published six books so far, though one of those is no longer in print and one of those I got the rights back on and re-published recently. I guess it means I’ve worked with about five different editors. I think my agent technically makes six (providing I’m doing my math right). All with publishing houses, from small press to big 5.

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

I guess I would call them indifferent. I mean, I know going into the publishing process that my book is going to be edited. I’m not perfect. I’m no grammar guru and plotting is my bugbear. I know there are going to be changes, and I know going in that it’s her job to make my book shine. 

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

That would probably be my most recent release. It was a book I’d written probably over two years ago now, and we had over a year wait from the time it was contracted to the time it was edited (contract stuff). It was a hard book to write in the first place. I have a personal connection to these particular characters and their storyline, so editing it was difficult. My writing had also grown by leaps and bounds by the time we got to the editing, so the book was…well, if you ask me, it was a mess. It needed a lot of help. lol

My editor was ruthless but kind, and she worked with me every step of the way, including reading over excerpts when I needed her to or even just talking through things with me so that I understood what I needed to do. She was extremely supportive and understanding and patient, and I adored her for it, because she made the whole process a whole lot less stressful. She needs a raise. Seriously. lol

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

I’m probably being a party pooper here, but I’ve never had a bad edit. I was asked a couple of times to do things I didn’t necessarily agree on. For example, one editor wanted me to exclude the epilogue. I’ve had a lot of reviews that tell me readers wanted that teensy bit more at the end, and so I write epilogues for books where I think it fits. But I wouldn’t call this a bad edit. Just a difference of opinion. So, I left it out of the book, but the epilogue is on my website. 

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

Oh lord, it makes me nuts. I go from panic and anger to depression (otherwise known as “I-suck-itis”). lol I’m a perfectionist and a complete control freak. I write by feel. I put words and sentences together so they convey what I want them to, but there’s also a certain flow to them for me. So changing even one word…can throw that all out of whack for me. I also don’t do well with change, it takes me a while to think outside my narrow little box, and so now I’m panicking, because I know I’ve got a deadline for completion. That sounds crazy right? lol I’ve learned to take a peek, so I know what I’m dealing with, maybe talk them over with a critique partner, then I leave it for a day and come back to them. 

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

I hate editing. Loathe it. But growing to…well, like is such a strong word, but not fear revisions. These are easier on me, because for the most part, you get an overall and the editor lets you work on problem areas your way. Aka: I get more control. lol This one comes from experience, though. I’ve gotten to watch a book I loved only get better through a round of revisions. So in truth, I almost look forward to this part of the process.

I also like seeing what the editor thinks needs improving on. This part helps me learn. You know, what not to do next time. lol

ALL ABOUT JM:

JM Stewart writes passionate, heartfelt contemporary romance. She’s a wife, a mother, a spiritualist, and lover of puppies, and happily addicted to coffee and chocolate. She lives in the rainy Pacific Northwest with her husband, two sons, and two very spoiled dogs. She’s a hopeless romantic who believes everybody should have their happily-ever-after and has been devouring romance novels for as long as she can remember. Writing them has become her obsession. 

For more about JM or her books visit:  Website /Blog /Twitter /Facebook

Confessions from the Editing Cave with Melody Winter

Welcome back to yet another installment of Confessions from the Editing Cave. Today in the confessional -- new adult author, Melody Winter!

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?

Before I signed with REUTS publications I was given some feedback and suggested structural edits to consider by their Senior Editor. When I read through her notes I knew that even if I didn’t sign with them I would be looking at the suggestions she made. She understood all the sub-plots, connected with the characters and her genuine excitement about the book was a major decision in why I chose to sign with REUTS.

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

Really good. She was always available for advice when I needed it with the structural edits, and the line edits were undertaken with a helping hand rather than a ‘do this’ attitude. She really worked WITH me, and I cannot stress how important this proved to be.

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

It was a structural edit. Make the timeline longer between their first meeting and them falling for each other. Make him work for her love, make us want to believe him.

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

I don’t think I’ve ever received a bad edit. There were only a few points that we disagreed on, but I wouldn’t call them bad edits. The main areas we disagreed was on the American/British different use of the language. We usually solved this by agreeing on a completely different word of rewriting the sentence.

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

A nod of the head, and a ‘oh, my gosh, she’s so got this, she’s right.”

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

I secretly stalked my editor for quite a while before I submitted. The more I spoke to her while waiting for my submission to be read, the more I knew she was the person I wanted to work with. I’m beyond happy that she’s working with me on the rest of the series.

ALL ABOUT MELODY:

Growing up, Melody Winter showed a natural ability in art, a head for maths, and a tendency to write far too long English essays. Difficult to place in the world when she graduated, she pursued a career in teaching, but eventually ended up working in Finance. Melody is convinced the methodical time she spends working with numbers fuels her desire to drift into dream worlds and write about the illusory characters in her head.

Melody Winter lives in North Yorkshire, England, with her husband and two sons. When not dealing with football, rugby, and a whole plethora of ‘boy’ activities, she will be found scribbling notes for her stories, or preparing for another trip to the beach. With an obsession for anything mythical, Melody revels in reading and writing about such creatures

Sachael Dreams is her debut novel, and the first in her New Adult Romantic Fantasy series—the ‘Mine Series’.

To connect with Melody, visit her on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Confessions from the Editing Cave with Suzanne VanRooyen

Welcome back to yet another installment of Confessions from the Editing Cave. Today in the confessional -- young adult author, Suzanne van Rooyen!

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?

I am extremely lucky to have an editorial agent – the lovely Jordy Albert. What this means is that, when I submit a new work to my agent, she reads it and gives me detailed editing feedback on content. This level of editing doesn't look at line for line grammar, word echoes etc. but rather at the big picture. Will a reader connect with my characters? Is there a gaping plot hole? Does the story work?  My agent also makes suggestions based on her knowledge of what's selling and what might not work for the editors she has in mind for the work. It's only after revisions – which might go more than one round depending on how many changes are required – that we go on submission. Since I've had an editorial agent, I've found the number of first round edits from my publisher to be greatly reduced so Jordy clearly knows her stuff.

As a traditionally published author only working with the in-house editors of my publishers, I've never hired a freelance editor. As of writing this, I have worked with four different editors at four different publishing houses, some more awesome than others.

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

In general, very good. Working with an editor can be tricky because there are so many things that are subjective. Perhaps I've just been lucky, but I have always had editors who are willing to discuss and compromise on proposed changes. Likewise, as an author you have to be willing to compromise as well and know when to pick your battles. Sometimes you really do need to kill your darlings in order to tighten up the narrative. I have been extremely lucky to work with editors who understood my vision for the story and who loved my story.

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

Wow, tricky question. In one work I had used some pretty awful google translated Spanish, which thankfully my editor could correct (that was embarrassing! And an experience I have definitely learned from.) Jordy has also provided some excellent edits, helping me explore the emotional landscapes of my characters a lot more. Honestly, the best edits are the ones that make me go, 'damn, why didn't I see that?' and that with one simple change can make a previously dull sentence sparkle, can make a scene pack a punch, or elevate a character to greater heights.

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

Perhaps those that I felt were trying too hard to rewrite my story. I haven't received many of these, perhaps a couple of sentence suggestions at most, where I felt the suggested changes didn't suit my voice or character, but that's really minor.

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

I'm always nervous when I open up an editorial letter. It's hard to get past the thought that you're about to read a list of what you did wrong, when really it's a list of how to take the manuscript from good or great to incredible! I really thought I'd be devastated the first time I opened up an editorial letter, angry, defensive, insulted even, but I wasn't – I was excited! Since then, I've tried to view edits as an opportunity rather than a rap over the knuckles. It's not about fixing mistakes (well, sometimes) but rather about polishing the story until it shines. These days, I love edits and look forward to process – just as soon as I pluck up the courage to open the editorial letter ;)

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

There are times when I find I don't agree with a suggestion and add a comment saying as much, only to come back to the same spot an hour, a day or even a week later and reluctantly admit that the editor was right. 

ALL ABOUT SUZANNE:

Suzanne is a tattooed storyteller from South Africa. She currently lives in Sweden and is busy making friends with the ghosts of her Viking ancestors. Although she has a Master’s degree in music, Suzanne prefers conjuring strange worlds and creating quirky characters. When she grows up, she wants to be an elf – until then, she spends her time (when not writing) wall climbing, buying far too many books, and entertaining her shiba inu, Lego. Her books include The Other Me and I Heart Robot.

To connect with Suzanne, visit her on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Confessions from the Editing Cave with Rachel Brimble

Welcome back to yet another installment of Confessions from the Editing Cave. Today in the confessional -- adult romance author, Rachel Brimble!

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?

My first novel was published in 2007 and fourteen books later, I have worked with a total of eight editors. I can honestly say each and every one taught me something positive with my writing and/or career path. I have wanted to be an author for a long time and look at each of my experiences with editors as a learning curve. To my mind, an editor is there to make your book better – not to rip you or your book down.

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

I am lucky enough to have had good relationships with all my editors – I think the reason for that is I always approach the editing process with an open mind. I listen to my editors’ suggestions and advice and don’t treat my books as my property that no one else can have an opinion on. If I agree with the comments, I act accordingly. If I don’t, I discuss it with my editor until we come to a compromise that suits us both. This is a business relationship and it’s important for an author to treat it as such. 

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

Ha! This is hard because all my edits have had trials of some sort or another and I am yet to have a manuscript come back with no edits at all. That would be the best one! I am lucky that my two current editors, with whom I have worked on eight books in total, really understand me and my work.

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

The worst was probably with my first book, but that was down to my inexperience rather than my poor editor. She was very patient, thoughtful and encouraging. I have been very blessed!

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

My first reaction to every set of edits is…Oh. My. God! Every time, I wonder how I got through them the last time. When you have an 85,000 word manuscript come back to you with comments and suggestions throughout, it can be overwhelming. The only way I find to tackle it is to take one comment at a time and deal with it. Don’t look at the whole picture or you will cry…trust me!

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

If I’m honest, I enjoy the editing process. I would have usually have had a couple of months since I saw the manuscript and can’t wait to read what my editor thought of it, their reaction to the characters and the areas of improvement or areas they think can be cut. Editing is a huge part of the writing process, if I didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t write. Simple.

ALL ABOUT RACHEL:

Rachel lives with her husband and two teenage daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. In 2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance and a further three in 2013. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington--her debut was released in April 2013, followed by a second in January 2014 and the third is released Jan 2015.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance finalist of So You Think You Can Write 2014 contest. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

To connect with Rachel, visit her on her website, blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

Confessions from the Editing Cave with Reagan Phillips

Welcome back to yet another installment of Confessions from the Editing Cave. Today in the confessional -- romantic suspense author, Reagan Phillips!

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?

My experience with editors is a bit of a mixed bag. I started with an editor for a small press publisher who happened to also be the owner and most prolific writer for that publisher. I was very new to writing and thought my lack of developmental feedback was a sign of my writing brilliance. Thank goodness I learned that a good editor doesn’t spew rainbows and unicorn poop all over your work but rather runs the red pen dry to make your writing the best it possibly can be while keeping your voice and style intact. No, I don’t envy editors. Their job is super hard!

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

My relationship with each of the editors I’ve worked with has always been good, even when the edits weren’t so much :)  I truly believe building relationships with the team that builds your book is one of the most important parts of our jobs as writers. And I’m happy to say my current freelance editor is a dream come true. She’s hard when she needs to be but doesn’t hold back on the kudos and I love, love, love the ideas she has to strengthen my writing while keeping it my writing. 

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

I’m not sure if I can point out just one thing to be the best edits I’ve ever received, but I’d have to say on the whole the edits that point out flaws I as the author can’t see for being so close to the story are the most helpful. I had an editor point out one of my characters acted like a total immature brat at the beginning of the book and even though she grows into a strong woman, it still didn’t work for her. That tidbit of advice changed my whole character arc into something much stronger.

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

Worst edits…I feel like I’m on the hot seat now. I’d have to say the worst edits I ever got were….well…okay, I don’t think I’ve ever had truly bad edits. Even if the suggestions didn’t fit what I wanted with my story, I still found them to be helpful in making me prove why I’d chosen to do whatever the editor wanted me to change. Call me Pollyanna, but even bad edits can strengthen a writer if that writer is willing to use them as a learning tool.

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

I have a system with edits. My first reaction is to always proclaim to anyone who will listen that I have decided to quit writing and return to the day job. Working an eight to five has to be easier than fixing all those mistakes, right? I make it a point to read over edits then close the document and not look at it again for at least a day or two. After a few days my thoughts shift from fear to determination and I’m ready to tackle the changes that will make my story more enjoyable to readers. 

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

True Confessions? My Favorite game. Let’s see…what to tell…okay, this is a good one. My first book went to print without the proof edits complete. The editor for the publisher loaded the wrong file (or so the story goes). My first published book, my baby, my one perfect thing, still had the hundred and two errors I’d pointed out in the galleys. No, it wasn’t the end of the world, but it sure felt like it. A little hard work and backtracking and the mistakes were fixed but for a few days I didn’t think I would ever publish a book again. A good editor is worth their weight in gold. A great editor is worth more than money can buy. 

ALL ABOUT REAGAN:

Steamy romantic suspense writer, Reagan Phillips lives in the Southern United States with her college sweetheart, The Officer, their son, one overactive beagle, and an adored fish. 

Reagan is a 2013 Beacon Award Winner for erotic romance for her debut title, Confess.

Connect with Reagan on her website, Facebook, and Twitter. 

Confessions from the Editing Cave with MJ Compton

Welcome back to yet another installment of Confessions from the Editing Cave. Today in the confessional -- paranormal romance author, MJ Compton!

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?

I have worked as a copyeditor for a small publishing house; as an author, I’ve worked with multiple editors at two small publishing houses, and I once had an agent who liked to edit my work.

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

With my initial publishing house, I don’t have direct contact with the people editing my books. With my second publisher, I have one editor, and we interact a lot. I think every editor I’ve had asked fabulous questions that would only strengthen my book.  Sometimes, I do worry about “voice” vs. editing, but have always been able to find a way to make it work.

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

That’s really difficult to say.  Possibly making a scene less of an “almost-rape” scene. It wasn’t a rape scene, but without making the hero’s motivations a whole heck of a lot clearer, it came across pretty nasty. (And yes, he stopped once he realized what he was doing.)

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

Two different editors, two different books, two punctuation issues. The first one tried to change all of my plurals to possessives.  The second one tried to change all of my colons to commas.  (Third editor, third book: “I don’t usually like semi-colons in fiction, but you did use it correctly.”)

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

“Wow! I thought this was cleaner,” technically speaking. And I’ve been told my manuscripts are really clean (free of typos, formatting issues, etc.) Other than that, I usually think: “Good catch!” or “Great question! I’d better clarify that.”  My editors are trying to make my story the best book it can be. Arguing with them or disregarding their questions and concerns isn’t professional. We all want the books to sell a lot of copies.

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

When I work as a copy editor, I am shocked at the sloppiness of some manuscripts. When submitting to a publisher, the manuscript should be as clean and polished as you can make it. I was on a panel of editors last year where we shared our pet peeves.  Poor presentation was in the top three. “The copy editor will fix it,” mentality should have died several decades ago. Be professional.

ALL ABOUT MJ:

MJ Compton grew up near Cardiff, New York, a place best known for its giant.

Although her 30-year career in local television included such highlights as being bitten by a lion, preempting a US President for a college basketball game, giving a three-time world champion boxer a few black eyes, a mention in the Drudge Report, and meeting her husband, MJ’s urge to create her own stories never went away.

MJ still lives in upstate New York with her husband. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America and Central New York Romance Writers. Music and cooking are two of her passions, and she enjoys baseball and college basketball, but she’s primarily focused on wine . . . and writing.

To connect with MJ, visit her on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. 

Confessions from the Editing Cave with Carol Pavliska

Welcome back to yet another installment of Confessions from the Editing Cave. Today in the confessional -- contemporary romance author, Carol Pavliska!

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?

The editor I worked with is at a publishing house. 

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

What I needed in an editor was someone who knew what she was doing, would respond to emails and concerns in a timely manner, and would value my time as much as I valued hers. I definitely got those things with my editor. However, in addition to those few things I needed, there were a few things I wanted. I mean, I like to be petted and loved and complimented and endlessly fawned over as much as the next girl – as long as the next girl is a gaping black hole of neediness. It took a few (perfectly sane) e-mails for my editor to recognize that I was a delicate flower – like one of those ridiculous indoor orchids you get for Mother’s Day that requires a mister and non-chlorinated water for the three months it takes it to finally die. Once she learned how to pat me on the head and tell me my hair was pretty, we got along smashingly well.

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

Honestly, I think when my editor goes to sleep every night she congratulates herself for having saved my hero from plaid pants. I still think plaid pants are sexy, but I have come to realize they might be an acquired taste that the masses are not quite ready for.

To Recap: Editorial Save of the Century—putting hot, sexy Julian in reasonable pants.

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

One time I put a hero in these fantastically awesome plaid pants and my editor insisted on removing them from his body and replacing them with boring pants in a solid color. Actually, I don’t think we even gave them a color. I think we just ended up calling them “pants.”

To Recap: Editorial Fail of the Century—removing hot, sexy Julian’s awesome plaid pants and not even for anything fun.

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

I’ve held friends’ hands while they opened editorial letters. And it was usually pretty awful. Logically, I knew that if I was ever lucky enough to receive an editorial letter of my own, it would probably be pretty awful. But I didn’t believe it. And that’s why I was surprised when it didn’t say, “Wow! This is perfect just as it is! Congrats!” 

Once the shock and awe wore off, I moved on to bitter devastation. I cried. I threatened to quit. Basically, I did all the usual things authors do when they receive their editorial letters only worse and with tequila. I’m absolutely amazed I have any friends left at all.

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

The most valuable lesson I learned in working with my editor on Color Me Crazy is that most required edits are not as big as they seem. Often, a single sentence is all it takes. But you don’t realize that when you first read an editor’s comment. Everything looks gigantic – when in fact, much of it is very small. And nothing is personal. It just feels like it. 

ALL ABOUT CAROL:

Carol Pavliska began her writing career as a family humor columnist and blogger, a pursuit she abandoned when her children grew old enough to realize they were being exploited. To save them from further embarrassment, she turned to writing fiction. Her debut novel is a steamy contemporary romance so, unfortunately, the children are still embarrassed.

Carol and her husband, both diehard Red Hot Chili Peppers fans, raise their vegan brood of mortified offspring on a cattle ranch in south Texas. No lie. 

To connect with Carol, visit her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. 

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.  

Confessions from the Editing Cave with Constance Phillips

Welcome back to yet another installment of Confessions from the Editing Cave. Today in the confessional -- adult romance author, Constance Phillips!

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?

I have both hired a freelance editor and worked with editors at publishing houses. 

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

I honestly believe I become a better writer because of each experience I’ve had with an editor. Does that mean I always agree 100% with every piece of advice offered? Of course not! But, learning to take that advice, consider it, and decide if I agree and if it’s a change I want to make is invaluable. So, I’ve not only become a stronger writer, but I’ve learned to assess myself and pick which battles are worth the fight.

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

The best edit actually came out of a pretty big rewrite. My editor had a pretty bad aversion to my heroine’s attitude—to the point of commenting on a scene where she was arguing with her brother, “See, even her brother hates her.” We exchanged several emails batting ideas back and forth how to soften her edges, while keeping her strong and her convictions deep. When I turned in the rewrite, my editor emailed me after reading the first chapter to say that I hit the nail on the head. It felt good to be able to take that constructive criticism, brainstorm a bit, and be able to fix the problem.

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

I don’t know that I’ve received a “worse edit”, but I did get some advice from the freelance editor I hired to change a pretty big plot point in my book Resurrecting Harry (this was pre-purchase/publication).  I was very conflicted about the advice offered and thought on in for several weeks. I could see the editor’s point, but also believed it changed the basic heart of the story. Before I even started rewriting, I had the opportunity to pitch the book to a different editor. He was interested to see the story and I told him I wanted to work on some edits I received from a freelance editor. He asked for details and when I gave them to him, he encouraged me to keep the story the way I envisioned it. While, the book didn’t end up with that editor, it was purchased and published without the change.

I learned a lot from that experience about trusting my gut, and knowing the core story I’m trying to tell. It was also brought home the point that no two editors—like no two readers—are alike. Advice isn’t always good or bad, but subjective. 

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

I might be the odd duck here, but I always look forward to my edits. I see it as the nitty-gritty time to take my story to a higher, polished level. That doesn’t mean I haven’t received edits that bruised my ego, or made me initially defensive, but when that happens I remember to take a deep breath, close the file, and walk away. With some time to digest, I can come back with a clear head and either figure out how to make things better, or defend the hows and whys I did it the way I did. 

ALL ABOUT CONSTANCE:

Constance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, daughter, and four canine kids where she writes contemporary romance novels and paranormal romance novels.

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When not writing stories of finding and rediscovering love, Constance and her husband spend the hours planning a cross-country motorcycle trip for the not-so-distant future…if they can find a sidecar big enough for the pups.

Be sure to connect with Constance on her website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Goodreads. 

Confessions from the Editing Cave with Katie O'Connor

Welcome back to yet another installment of Confessions from the Editing Cave. Today in the confessional -- adult romance author and fellow agency mate, Katie O'Connor!

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?

Okay let’s get this thing rocking!

To being with, I’m a pretty tough cookie. That doesn’t mean I am insensitive or unhurtable, it just means that I try and take criticism as advice and try to react accordingly. I know I’m on the up-curve of learning how to write. I have a lot yet to discover and try to keep an open mind regarding suggestions.

In terms of editing, I work with two main critique partners, a freelance editor and recently an editor through my agent.

I’ll be honest; it does hurt when someone suggests changes to my baby. After all, we all know that my writing is perfect.  (Joking … mostly.) This is my child that they are slashing. And yes, I do mean slashing. My grammar and punctuation skills are somewhat lacking.

My critique partners typically catch plot errors as the story unfolds which helps keep me in line as I write the first draft.  For self-published works I use a freelance editor who has no qualms at all about telling me where I erred, and I appreciate his input. A lot.  I try to remember what he tells me and not make the same mistakes over and over again.

I’m still puttering away with the first round of edits from my agent (Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency.) So far her comments have been spot on and very helpful.

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

My ego is big, but not big enough to think that I don’t need help. Sometimes it’s just tweaking, but on occasion my work needs a major overhaul (usually in the early stages.) I like to think that my relationships with all of my editors are good ones. I appreciate their feedback, even if it hurts sometimes. I am comfortable that they will find the flaws in plot and character and help improve the end product. As a group, they are making my writing better, stronger and are helping me make my characters come alive for my readers.

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

I’m not sure there was a best edit. Having him notice that my character’s last name had changed mid-story was very helpful. (If stupid on my part.)

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

For my first published erotica story, there is a spicy scene that takes place on a wingback chair. This particular editor (who I no longer work with) suggested that perhaps the scene wasn’t accurate or feasible. I disagreed. It was feasible and not dangerous and is actually quite fun! So, in the end the scene stayed.

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

I’m always disappointed in myself that I made so many errors. But I quickly get over it and dig in and make corrections.

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

I hate edits and re-writes. There, I’ve said it.

Are they necessary? Absolutely.

Do I like them? Hellz no!

Will I continue to do them? Yes. Though I am hopeful that as my writing skills progress, I will need fewer corrections.

ALL ABOUT KATIE:

Katie O’Connor lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, quilter, and author. And she is a huge fan of lacrosse. Those tight, toned lacrosse boys feature in a number of her stories. (And in her fantasies, but we won’t go there.)

Over the years, Katie has been a waitress, cashier, chambermaid, and a lab and x-ray technician. She’s been an office manager, a retail shop manager, and day-home provider. Before taking up writing full time, she owned and operated a longarm quilting studio where she designed and sold quilting patterns.

It took a long time for Katie to discover that her passion is story telling.

She has been writing for years. She says “Writing has good days and bad days. But even when I hate it, I love being an author. Something drives me to create stories and write them down. It is impossible for me NOT to write. I think my head would explode if I kept all those ideas trapped inside. I even dream story lines.”

She’s tried her hand at writing poetry, science fiction, adventure stories, erotica and romance novels. But her passion is, and always has been love stories with a happily ever after.

One day she is going to write a mixed genre novel. It is going to be an erotic, shape shifter, vampire, steampunk, sci-fi, murder mystery, western, historical, thriller, romantic adventure. It will be her biography.

I post things of an adult nature. biography.

Katie believes in love, commitment and above all, she believes in hope.

 Be sure to visit Katie on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads!