Today I sent my novel off to a dev editor.

I’m excited – this is a big step for the book. And I know it will lead to a stronger manuscript…

…but I’m also nervous.

Getting a major edit can be scary. It may mean big changes. It may mean hearing something I’m not quite ready to hear.

It means facing the painful truth:

That even when we writers ask for feedback, what we often want is praise.

“Compliments only, please!” would be my idea of editorial direction.

But that’s not what I need.

That’s not makes the book better.

*

I remember the first time my agent sent me edits. I was 25, I had just sent him the latest manuscript, and I’d been blithely expecting him to say “It’s perfect! Let’s GO.”

Instead, he wanted changes that meant several more months of work, and killing pretty much every last darling.

Now, I am a consummate professional. So in response to this, I lay down on the floor and cried.

Later, I was kvetching about it to a friend. “Ugh! I can’t believe he’s making me do this!” I whined.

Instead of indulging me, he said something that helped lift me out of my funk:

“Think of it as getting to spend more time with the characters you love.”


*

So whatever comes back from this dev edit, I’ll be open to it.

Worst case: More floor crying.
Best case: the book gets better.

(Of course, those aren’t mutually exclusive.)

Either way, I get more time with my characters.

This is part of the work — learning to sit with the discomfort. Trying to learn from it, even. And remembering why we started in the first place.

This is something I walk my clients through, so it’s right that I should remember it firsthand once in a while.

If you’re looking for a collaborator as you write your book, I’d love to chat. Set up a call with me here.