These are words I've been trying to take to heart after relinquishing my dear novel into the hands of an editor for the very first time last week. Trust honestly isn't the issue here as I'm dealing with a dear friend who has just obtained her editing certification. As is usually the case with me, fear is what is at the crux of it all.
What am I afraid of? To be frank, I'm terrified that my book is going to be trash. After reading the first chapter (and having read an earlier draft of my novel a few years back), my friend assures me that I am a strong storyteller. All I can do is have faith that she is being honest, which shouldn't be hard to do as there would be absolutely no benefit to her pumping me up for no reason. Still, I feel like I've just sent a child for their school pictures and although I think they're dressed nicely, I have strong doubts about my sense of fashion.
While I wait for feedback, I've worked on updating my query information. I should be writing more on book 2 as well, but I've found myself booting up The Sims 4 instead. In my defense, it has been to create some of my characters using the extensive customization tools in Create a Sim. I'm a very visual person and I've found this process easier than drawing them or looking up actors that fit their descriptions. But more on that another time!
At this point, I'll grab at any distraction that will keep me from thinking that I'm a rubbish writer. Regardless of the outcome of this edit, I will continue to share my journey with you here. If nothing else, it keeps me from giving up. I refuse to do that again.
Have you had any of your work professionally edited before? If so, how was your experience?
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