Once again it’s time for The Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Tears and nervousness give way to commiseration and blog hopping. Join us by clicking on the picture. The awesome co-hosts for this month’s posting of the IWSG are: Allison Gammons,Tamara Narayan, Eva E. Solar, Rachel Pattison, and Ann V. Friend!
My topic for this month’s sharing relates back to editing. I hired a freelance editor to give me feedback on my first manuscript, and I just received her great comments. But therein lies the nervousness. I see where so many of her suggestions will improve the book, and have already begun making the changes, and it’s better. But I’ve just begun. It’s going to be two to three months of tearing apart scenes, reconfiguring one of the main character’s interactions with a couple of other characters, and pumping up the tension throughout. In other words, a lot of work.
Deep breath.
It’s worth it, and I can see the benefit. I really want this story to find its audience. But… I’m nervous.
What if it’s still not good enough when I’m done?
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Time to end the hand wringing and grab a bite of news.
This first story is even more of a wow than the truck I posted about last week. I cannot even imagine driving under that tower of crates. How does a driver’s test even come close to preparing you for that kind of task?
Someone has been working out. Good for him.
Science rounds out this little news buffet. In a weird crossover between the literary world and the scientific one, leeches named for famed author Amy Tan. I really don’t know whether she finds it flattering or not, but I, personally, would find it quite odd. Odd but cool. And the cool is in a my-work-inspired-a-new-find way. Hmm…
http://www.livescience.com/53552-leech-named-for-author-amy-tan.html
That’s it for the first Wednesday (posted on Tuesday) in February. Hope you have a fabulous week. See you in seven.
kimlajevardi 
You can go another round with beta readers after working with this editor if you want more feedback. I’m at first shocked by notes, because I’m aware of all the work up ahead, so I sit on them for a few days, muster up confidence, wrap my mind around the revision ideas, and dig into the manuscript.
Beta readers will be my next step. Sitting on it for a few days is great advice. It’s daunting, but I really do think I’m up to it. At least that’s how I feel today. 😉
Happy revising with the edits. Good for you for getting an editor. I am sure you will find your audience. Enjoy the process. Happy Belated IWSG Day,
Juneta Writer’s Gambit
Thank you! I hope I do find my audience.
It sounds like you have a great start to edits. Usually it takes more than one round so don’t be discouraged if you have to go through it again.
This is actually round ten or something on edits, but I appreciate the encouragement.
If she’s a good editor, it can’t help but be better after the edits.
She is a very good editor. I’m just tired and beginning. I’ll feel better once I get further along.
Spending a lot of time revising is definitely scary and frustrating, but by doing it, you’re finding out super important things about tension, character arc, etc. that will help you for every single book you write in the future. So funny about the crate-moving guy! It almost looks like an optical illusion. That bank mgr was braver than I’d be. Leeches are yucky yet cool since they can help so much with poor circulation in transplanted and injured limbs. Have a great week and weekend, Kim! 🙂
Very true, Lex. I agree about the illusion. The bank manager was also calmer than I’d be. I still don’t know how I’d feel about having leeches named after me. Thanks, Lex. I hope your week and weekend are also good.
It will take time, but it’ll be worth it. Your story will rock afterwards!
Thanks, Alex!