In toto
I sent my ms to an editor. In toto. I was banging my head against a virtual wall, wishing I could lay all 200-some pages out in row so I could see the whole thing. In toto. I needed perspective — and not my own. So while this is not the final, end-all-be-all version, I’m secure that I’ll be able to do a better job when I have someone else’s opinion on the arc and flow, the characters and the plot, the language and the tone. I have kickin’ CPs — but we work together chapter by chapter. And while we do remember and recall inconsistencies in characterization and storyline (my CP Christina is awesome at that) I want to know now if Chapter 1 makes sense with Chapter 8 and if the character changes I’ve made are worthwhile. We’re all too close to it now, I think. So, I stepped away — and farther away than just giving myself the weekend off.
It’s almost like getting a babysitter for kids. I’m wondering how the story is doing with someone else. Is she taking good care of it? Are my characters being understood? Did I make the right decision? I can surely undo any damage later, right? So what if my manuscript stays up too late – or eats pizza?
But you know what? I’m also able to relax. Maybe not in toto, but I’ll take what I can get.
That bird’s eye perspective is hard to get. That’s when I get SuperNotecard out, so I can “see” the whole thing. It’s the toughest thing, I think! But one of the most important!
Do what you have to do to get it published. Three sets of eyes you know and one you don’t know usually does the trick for me. Keep yourself focused on what’s important.
LOL! I hear you. I’m all about sharing the MS. The more people it gets used to the more secure and happy it’ll be… just about kills my nerves knowing it’s out in the world fending for itself without me there to explain difficult questions.
I do use a group of proof readers/writers who are my cheerleaders who tell me how great it is! LOL! That way i won’t give up on it as I write it. They give me little bits of info that I needed like a typo here or a missunderstanding there… Then I use my real editor friends who i KNOW will give me the kick I need and really sock it to me. THEN after my editors (there are three) it goes out to teens to tell me if they’d buy it and what they loved or wished would’ve been in the story. THEN it goes to my agent… LOL! So after each MS is done it has been through at least 15 people, that i trust and love. LOL! Of course, that isn’t including the publisher’s edits… I’ll let you know how that goes the end of this month!
I love this! My latest beta is a published writer who’s been under an editor’s knife, so while she’s not an editor herself, I could really tell the difference in her level of critiquing.
I hope your MS does okay without you, gets enough sleep, and comes back excited to see you!
Dorothy, you and your Toto will be just fine AND reach Emerald City after the wild journey. You know I’ve been considering doing the same thing with my ms…so glad to know I’m in good company. Sometimes you work and work and revise, and you get too absorbed into the WIP…especially if it includes elements of real life turned fiction. Good on you. Now, go take a nap, but don’t forget to let us know how it went with your little Toto.
Love this post. I’ve felt the same way when my ms has left my hands – are the people who have it taking good care of it? It becomes so personal to you, and rightly so, considering we put ourselves into the work in so many different ways.
Great post, Amy. I’m still in the rough draft stage with my WIP, but I’m considering getting an editor once revision time comes. Good luck with Toto
I’ll be anxious to see how everything turns out!
I think sending your entire manuscript to an editor is a great idea. Having written a lengthy manuscript, which I’m not editing from beginning to end, I never would have been able to see some of the things my editor did by looking at the first half of it all at one time. Chapter by chapter crits are good on their own, but you do need that overall view. Best of luck that you get some great feedback that you can really use.
KJ
http://fragrantliar.blogspot.com
That was NOW editing.