Last year, I booked an editor to do a full developmental edit on my first historical mystery. As I sit typing this, I know the edit will come back to me soon. I’m equal parts antsy and nervous. My response to edits is multipronged and goes something like this:
- Ooh! Someone read my book! What did they think? Tellmetellmetellme!
- What if they didn’t like it?
- What if they hated it?
- I hope they liked something about it
- What if they have nothing constructive to tell me?
- Maybe I should open the email tomorrow.
- (5 minutes later): How bad can it be?
The most important reason I’ve found for paid edits is if you spend your own money, you’ll listen to what your editor says.
It’s been a few years since I had a full developmental edit on a book. I’ve been writing new books in ongoing series with characters I know very well, and I’ve relied on beta reads before moving into the copy edit and proofread phases. Every one of my first-in-series books has benefited from a developmental edit (also called a content edit), and because this is my first book in a new genre, it’s worth the investment.
Arranging an edit and mentally processing an edit are two different things. Three, really, that shake out like this:
- Phase 1: (Before Edit/Anticipation)
- Phase 2(a): Reaction (1st 24 hours after reading feedback)
- Phase 2(b): Reaction Once the Sting of Feedback Has Worn Off
Right now, I’m in Part 1. The edit will arrive in my inbox soon. This is the first feedback I will get on a project I love. Feedback from a skilled editor will shine a light on plot holes and opportunities, it will reinforce what worked and nudge me to revise what didn’t. I know this. I know all of this.
And more than anything else, I know that receiving this edit is a step forward in the journey of this book and any time we get to take a step forward, I say, ready, steady, GO!