I’ve recently had my newest work edited and I’m
reeling. This was to be a content edit which I took to mean she’d be checking
the story for any slow areas, missing or confusing timelines, character
weaknesses and plot problems.

The first thing I noticed is that many of my lines
have been rewritten, sometimes for the better, but at other times she’s changed
my voice by taking out special hints of a character’s personality or emotional blurbs
that I purposely set up. I’ll admit, these were done using my particular style,
but it’s my book…. right?

Next, she questioned actions and thoughts that
within a few sentences would become clear. Should I ignore these comments? This
has made me question other changes she wants me to make. Don’t get me wrong, I
went to her because this book was rejected by a publisher I particularly wanted
to work with. That made me realize, though my books get good reviews, maybe the
sales would be stronger if I got some advice on how to strengthen my story from
a professional.

At the beginning, she warned me that she wouldn’t…
ahh blow smoke up my skirt which I took to mean that she would be giving me an
honest edit and I welcomed that. I’m a professional and comments with a
positive vibe would be gladly accepted.

But I’m also a long-time writer who has learned that
not everyone will like my style. My books are fast-paced, action-packed and
they don’t have a lot of… yawn ho hum areas
where the reader’s eyelids start drooping. I keep my poor people constantly in
scrapes of one type or another – it’s the kind of books that satisfy me.

And though I do write romance, I just can’t keep
bringing up the guy’s rippling muscles or the thrilling urges my heroine gets
when he stares into her eyes. I’m sorry but that kind of soppy dribble has been
done to death. In my love stories, I like to keep things as real as possible. I
kinda believe that my readers are intelligent enough to know when my heroine is
falling for the hero and they don’t need to be reminded on every page with
sappy lines and constant hints.

Another thing to note, in most of my reviews, I’ve always had compliments on my various characters.
It’s what most of my many readers seem to concentrate on. But, she didn’t like
them – at all – or maybe it’s just that she didn’t get them?? Not sure which is worse? But reminding myself that there
are readers out there who will be thinking exactly as she does, I will make
changes. I thank her for pointing out the times where I can delve a little more
into their thoughts and emotions. No doubt, the story will be better for these
changes and I will have learned not to cut corners on those times when I should
take advantage and expand.

Again, she seemed to think my hooks at the end of my
chapters were weak and that I needed to add more excitement to encourage the
readers to keep reading. Since it’s something I’ve always prided myself on, I
guess I just don’t get it. That hurt… but… I will reread and rework those areas
and see what she means.

Truthfully, I only scanned the first dozen chapters
or so and therefore, she might have changed her tactics somewhat by the end. But
to say it’s humbling, is like saying my pride took a slight nudge. Sorry, but the truth is – it flew ass over
tea-kettle.

And I paid big bucks to get slugged.

In the end, will I be glad?

Not sure – once I quit feeling sorry for myself, I’ll
get back to you :-))