The Rewards of Editing

Over the last month, I’ve submitted my manuscript and marketing materials to my publisher, and I’ve been assigned an editor. Waiting to see the results of that process is nerve-wracking! In the meantime, I wanted to stay in the writing mood. I have a new novel in progress, though that went on pause in December and I’ll pick it back up once things settle down. So, I took on the challenge of editing someone else’s book. I figured it would be a good way to keep my mind occupied on something other than the anxieties of publication.

How does one go about editing someone else’s book? Are they just waiting around out there looking for help?

Well, yes. The writing community on Twitter is teeming with authors in all stages of their careers, and it doesn’t take long to find people asking for critique partners or beta readers. I responded to a request for help with a query letter, and after some back and forth with an excited and talented author (they shall remain anonymous for this post) I ended up reading their manuscript.

I know it’s not everyone’s favorite past time, but noting typos and sentences that could use re-wording was fun. I’ve done it far too many times on my own books, and it’s a much different experience when you’re reading a new work for the first time and waiting to see where the story will go. I had many interesting discussions with this other author along the way. Asking them questions, sharing my thoughts, and getting their perspective on the book.

At the end, I had suggestions for changes. Critiques are hard to give and to receive. I loved the writing style and the world this author had built, but there were some aspects of the plot that I wasn’t satisfied with. Communicating that was tough, but they were receptive. We shared ideas back and forth, and they set about making revisions. I was glad to sit back and not have to do all that work.

Finally, (actually they were very quick and must have been writing like crazy) they sent me a revised manuscript. I knew some of the changes to expect, but not most of them. It was exciting to read through the same story, but to see alterations reflecting my comments and points we had discussed. You don’t get to have that experience with finished books. I was apprehensive when I reached the second half, where much of my criticisms had originated the first time.

I was blown away.

Maybe I’m overly sentimental, but my eyes watered a few times reading over the new sections and heavily re-written portions. This author had taken my comments to heart and devoted incredible effort to changing the text. They had fixed everything I thought to be an issue before. They added new scenes that made a world of difference, and they even altered the ending significantly.

It would have been so easy for them to say “thanks, but I’ll leave it like it is.”

They didn’t. They are happy with where the story stands now, and I’ve been more than excited to witness the evolution of their book into something truly remarkable. I admire, respect, and appreciate them as a writer even more than I did at the start. Seeing someone work their creative muscles shows a lot about them that you simply can’t see from the final product.

So, what’s my point?

Editing is rewarding. Any author should be able to benefit from doing it. Working closely with another writer’s text, who’s style is nothing like my own, is a helpful endeavor. It makes me think about the way I write. It’s great exercise for the mind. It’s a break from writing my own works without getting out of the writing mentality, and it kept my thoughts from being consumed with worry over what my own editor will say.

Also, I’ve made a wonderful friend. I’ve helped them in a tangible way. It is said that giving is better than receiving, and it’s true. It’s a wonderful feeling to see the impact you can have simply by sharing some time and thought.

Others have done it for me, and I’ll certainly do it again.