Most people abhor editing. It’s understandable, however, since it’s difficult to compartmentalize what we write and what our editor’s suggest when it comes time to have our work edited.
When I first started this journey, I was afraid of having my work edited. I used to think I didn’t need it. That my writing was fine and didn’t need those extra touches that an editor can offer. How wrong I was!
Despite what you may think, we all need editors. Be it for a simple edit, developmental edits, line-by-line edits, copyediting, proofreading, and so much more. There are many types of editing an author can utilize to make their manuscripts shine. Some are used more than others.
While we may fear an editor’s suggestions, it’s good to have another set of eyes look over your work. An editor will see things we don’t see, and make suggestions according to what they believe will benefit your story. Keep in mind that any suggestions made are just that—suggestions. You don’t have to keep a suggestion if you don’t want to.
Most often, an author/writer will keep suggested changes because they make sense. Granted, we don’t see that, at first. Once we let things percolate and go back to the manuscript, that’s when things start clicking into place.
While we may dread the thought of getting our manuscripts edited, we shouldn’t fear it. Editing helps us to make better sense of what we write. To see things in a better light. It’s wonderful to see your manuscript grow along the way. To see it take flight in a way you’ve never imagined.
To see your story go through multiple stages of editing before it finally makes it into your reader’s hands is a daunting journey. An editor makes the process easier, even if we don’t think so, at first. Trust in them. Let them guide you along the way, and know that the final product will always be something you’ll be proud of when the time comes.
