One Happy Editor… #Editing

I know that most writers don’t look forward to editing; to be fair, we are writers, not editors. And, let’s face it, it can be daunting.

Hard enough to write 50.000+ words in the first place and then have to edit these words, rereading them over and over again until you want to scream?

I have a secret, though, and I may have mentioned this before, but I was an editor long before I became a writer.

My sister, Anita, was the writer in our family. I was enlisted to do the donkey work as she cannot type and had no desire to learn. Back then, there was no such thing as dictating straight to the computer screen. Hell, we didn’t have fancy computers either!

I wore my fingers to the bone typing her books, ready to be sent to publishers. An interesting job, mostly disappointing, sometimes exciting, as most publishers did try to be kind. We nearly made it to the big time, too, but despite some encouraging comments, although we had an agent, no publisher was brave enough to take us on.

Anita’s first book, Bad Moon, captured several publishers’ attention, but in the end, they all admitted that although it was a good story, strong and powerfully written, they had no idea of how to market it effectively.

When we first learned about indie publishing or DIY, we moved into an exciting new world. I had to embark on the biggest learning curve of all time.

And somewhere along this journey, I knew I wanted to write.

Right now, I am editing my own seventh book. I try hard to resent the editing process, but it never works, for I just love it. Better than writing, if I am honest. Maybe because I don’t find it as hard to do?

Busy day today, so see you all tomorrow! 💖💖


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Responses

  1. John W. Howell Avatar

    I’m one who hates editing. I have to do it before I turn it over to a professional but I’m very glad when that turnover happens

    Like

    1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

      They do tell me that I should have been a teacher, same skills I suppose…

      Like

      1. John W. Howell Avatar

        I think you are right.

        Like

  2. Gwen M. Plano Avatar

    Wow, your seventh book! Bravo and happy editing. 🤗

    Like

    1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

      Well, it was until Word became corrupted and tried to ruin everything!

      Like

  3. Stevie Turner Avatar

    Congratulations on completing your seventh book! I much prefer writing novels to editing them.

    Like

    1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

      I have all these different heads for different jobs, Stevie…they come in very handy…

      Like

  4. thomasstigwikman Avatar

    Congratulations on starting the editing of your seventh novel 🏆 It’s amazing that you like the editing process.

    Like

    1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

      I think I like editing so much because I love to try to improve everything!

      Like

  5. Annette Rochelle Aben Avatar

    I truly enjoy the entire process of writing, formatting, cover design, editing, and publishing. It all gives me a feeling of accomplishment.

    Like

    1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

      A complicated job, but very rewarding, I love feeling that I am really creating something special, Annette…

      Like

  6. robbiesinspiration Avatar

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts about editing. I must admit that I prefer editing my novels to creating them. The creation process requires so much research and energy. Editing is much easier for me as I have something to work with. I also do a lot of editing in my day job so I too am practiced at editing.

    Like

    1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

      I am in good company then, Robbie…

      Like

  7. Author Jan Sikes Avatar

    I think it takes a special type personality to love editing. I hate that part of the process. I’m always filled with such self-doubt. Glad you are enjoying it!

    Like

    1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

      The trick is to forget it’s your book!

      Like

  8. popsiclesociety Avatar

    Writing and editing! Congratulations 🎉

    Like

  9. Steve Tanham Avatar

    Intriguing evolution, Jaye! ❤️

    Like

    1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

      Does that make me a trail blazer, Steve ?

      Like

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