Let’s begin with the rejections. I have acquired quite a collection over
the years. Most of them were “form” letters. However, some of them arrived with
a personal note. I valued the personal ones. They encouraged, they praised, and
they kept me going. Yet, despite the kindnesses and compliments, none of them
ever told me what I needed to do to improve. One suggested hiring an editor.
Not a bad idea if one can afford it. I couldn’t.
I read and reread the books of my favorite authors and discovered things
they did that I had omitted. From there I endlessly revised—or at least it felt
like I did. Finally, I submitted one of my novels for consideration. (I had two
at the time I believed acceptable).The editor that read Spirit of the Rebellion
praised and encouraged. But--she said--if I ever expected to publish that
novel, I needed to make a host of revisions. Didn’t I just do that? Well,
obviously not nearly enough.
The good news was that this editor was different. She was kind enough to
give me direction. In addition to the advice given, she said that if I made the
suggested revisions, I could submit the work again. Wow! Really? She didn’t
have to ask me twice. This sweet editor worked with me for months. She gave me
guidance each step of the way and I learned far more than I had ever learned
before! Finally, she offered me my first contract.
What did my editor teach me? She taught me that first and foremost, I
needed to acquire patience and perseverance. Then she taught me what to do
between writing “the end” and submitting my work to a publisher. Would you like
to hear a few of the important ones, just in case you don’t land that special
editor?
Polish the tarnished silver until it shines: This means I need to edit
and re-edit each sentence of each manuscript I write until I can recite the
pages in my sleep. I have learned to delete those passages (though dear to my
heart) that slow the tempo of my story. At times, I kicked an entire subplot
into the garbage can. (Don’t worry; I eventually got over it.) Pay attention to
punctuation and grammar. They do matter.
Keeping my reader engaged in the story: She taught me to watch for those
pesky passages that sneak into the story that “tell” instead of “show.” Your
readers want to live your story alongside your characters. Give them every
opportunity to do that.
Find at least one critique partner (no, not your mother, but she can
read it too), the more the merrier. I now have five. They receive a copy of
each manuscript I write and in turn, they give me their honest thoughts and
criticisms with each and every revision. I don’t take offence when they give
it. I carefully consider everything they say, and then I edit my manuscript
again.
At the end of the day: The final novel has always turned out far better
than the first effort. In fact, I can honestly say, there is no comparison
between version one and version ten or twenty.
As I look back on this journey, I see a lot of hard work, and the
proverbial blood, sweat and tears. But I also see the exhilarating moments of
joy as well. Along the way, I have received quite an education, and education
that will never end, no matter how many novels I may write. All in all, the
bumpy ride is well worth the final destination and for the struggling writers
out there, I highly recommend that ride.
Debbie has always had a soft spot for fairy tales,
the joy of falling in love, and happily ever after endings. Stories of love and
make believe filled her head for as long as she can remember. However, it was
her beloved husband who encouraged, cajoled and inspired her to take up a pen
and write some of them down. Her journey to published author could fill quite a
few pages. However, in June of 2010, she submitted her debut novel “Spirit of
the Rebellion” to her wonderful, patient, editor at The Wild Rose Press and the
rest is history. She now has five published novels to her credit.
When she is not busy conjuring her latest novel,
Debbie spends time with the members of her very large family, within the
lovely, arid deserts of southern Nevada
Connect with Debbie:
Website: http://dk-peterson.com/
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10 Comments
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThank you for inviting me to share you blog! It's a pleasure to be here...
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, Debbie. Sometimes I edit and re-edit so many times, I can't stand to look at my manuscript again! Then I usually give it a break and go back later with fresh eyes. Invariably, I still find something that needs to be tweaked. And you are so right about critique partner. Not having one is like working without a safety net!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with SPIRIT OF THE KNIGHT. I enjoyed the book immensely!
I love it when another very talented author tells me she (or he) likes my book immensely! Just makes me warm all over, so thanks Mae! I'm so happy you stopped by if nothing more than to tell me that you re-edit until you too are sick to death of it! Misery does love company... ;D
DeleteThanks for all the proverbial blood, sweat, and tears you put into each book!! I have enjoyed them immensely, and always look forward to your upcoming releases. I have enjoyed following this Book Tour and seeing what your lovely hosts ask you and how you have responded. It has been fun reading them and look forward to the next stops!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Well thank you so much for that! And believe me, I enjoy seeing you and reading your lovely comments at each stop! Thank you for your support!
DeleteI'm so glad you authors take the time to write such fun books for us your readers to escape to. I just love all your books Debbie. Each and every one of them. You do really become part of the book and get to see places you have never been and laugh and cry with the characters.. Glad for the happy endings. Thanks
ReplyDeleteYou always say the nicest things Tammy, and I am thrilled and honored that you think so highly of my books! Thanks for taking the time to read the post and leave a comment!
DeleteHi Debbie, Yes editing! Sometimes I edit so much I wonder if my writing is better or worse for it? I also have had letter's of rejection; well perhaps not so much as rejection but that my work wasn't what those particular publishing houses were looking for t that time. I too had some great advise sent back to me, it was encouraging and made my work feel at the very least worthwhile. I write a lot of non--fiction and tried eagerly to have my book published. My audience size was the failing, and although I thought it was there, I now realise that for a publishing house to put their money into something, whether it is a great piece of writing or not, it must have an audience, a growing audience. Thanks for sharing your journey, it's always great to hear other's experiences in becoming published.
ReplyDeleteHello Meredith! Thank you for sharing your experience as well as your thoughts! Though each journey is different, they all share things in common. I'm so happy you stopped by!
DeleteI love to hear from you. So feel free to comment, but keep in mind the basics of blog etiquette — no spam, no profanity, no slander, etc.
Thanks for being an active part of the Writers and Authors community.