This is not my edit!

The professional edit for Folly’s End came back yesterday.

I wasn’t expecting a good verdict, this is me, remember, but I wasn’t quite ready for the almost brutal thoroughness of the report.

The first part was seven pages long, and by the time I finished reading it, I was stunned.

My brain went into meltdown, as all the work needed was staggering.

This is not an excuse, but I have been struggling to do anything lately. My health and ageing years are taking their toll, and finding enough enthusiasm gets harder every day.

Once I got my breath back, I read the report again. There were some amazing comments about my writing, so not a disaster after all. This created just enough enthusiasm to want to make my story perfect.

It wouldn’t be easy, as my memory is fading fast, even with copious notes posted everywhere.

My sister wanted to read the report, but I wasn’t ready for her reaction. I could tell she was shocked, and even more surprised when she burst into tears.

She offered to help me, so maybe two minds will be better than one…

God help me!


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Comments

22 responses to “Good news? #Editing #Report #Folly’s End”

  1. I’m sure it’ll be perfect in the end. :)

  2. Keep persevering Jaye. Glad you have your sister to help. <3

    1. It’s a bit like the blind leading the blind, Debby, but we manage well enough… 🙏💖

  3. Oh no, Jaye. Don’t lose heart. I’m saving up for big professional edits myself. I got a sample chapter done for me once and I was impressed and so eager to learn from it but unfortunately it was a bit too expensive to use that editor. So I decided to begin studying editing and save up.
    Seeing red marks in my manuscript always perks me up. I get excited about improving my writing. Please don’t give up on the book. I know it’ll be great.

    1. I wish I had a little more confidence, Jude, thanks you for sharing yours…

  4. I’ve only had one story professionally edited – the first – and I was shocked too but…I learned SO much from that edit. And none of it was malicious. That’s the first thing I learned. We all get lost inside our own heads, so it’s good to have an expert outsider force us to see what we’ve actually written instead of what we think we wrote. :D

    Your book is going to be wonderful. Hang in there!

    1. I hope you’re right, Meeks… and you are right about learning so much from s professional edit!

  5. sounds like you and Anita got this. 😁

    1. Yes, it should keep us out of trouble…

  6. Take the time you need. Like Jan had said: One line after the other, as you has written the story. Best wishes, Michael

    1. Thank you, Michael…

  7. I think there’s lots of positivity here.

    1. That was the plan, Jennie… 💖

      1. 😍

  8. One line at a time, Jaye. How kind of your sister to offer to help!

    1. She is a better writer than I am, so I am definitely blessed, Jan…

  9. Robbie cheadle Avatar
    Robbie cheadle

    I always feel like this when I get first editorial comments back. It will work out – keep going.

    1. How could I not, with so much help available?

  10. It’s always hard to receive harsh criticism. But when done, it will be a great book that you will be proud of.

    1. More constructive than harsh, Vivienne…

  11. It always hits me hard at first, but think what a great book this will be when the changes and suggestions are made. Hang in there.

    1. I will, Darlene. Far too much work has been done already… 📘

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