Love Thy Editor by Tracy Williamson
One of the greatest commandments is 'Love thy neighbour', I wonder if that applies to my editor, I thought, as I stared at my email inbox where my MS had just appeared, bisected by editing lines and innumerable comments and queries. My carefully crafted manuscript was to be taken apart, dissected, questioned and re written.
While part of me felt happy that my MS had been taken seriously enough to be given the 'multi operation' treatment, after all, it was surely better for it to be turned inside out and rewritten than it be abandoned in a mouldering pile in someone's inbox? the other part felt just a tad, well indignant? violated? (No I know I can't use that word, you don't need to tell me that's far too strong for this scenario, so I'll try to think of another but for the moment I'll leave it there!)
But I can't help it, I DO feel violated. I spent hours, days weeks and months writing this book, all with the purpose of inspiring others and building them up in their faith, so how can someone else have the right, even under the EDITOR'S hat, of querying my every sentence, scoring through my every word? Ok, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, it wasn't quite 'every' word and sentence. But it felt like it! and part of me wants to rise up like a mama bear defending her cubs and growl and show my claws.
But then a thought comes unbidden into my mind 'Love thy editor, she's on your side.' 'Love thy. . .Hang on, Lord,' I protested 'you're quoting that reference wrongly, surely you know its NEIGHBOUR not EDITOR?
But at that point there was a silence in my spirit and I knew why. I am wanting to see my editor as my enemy and therefore feel righteous about snarling at her and fighting her every suggestion. But she isn't my enemy. She's my 'neighbour' She's alongside me, provided for me by God himself to hone and beautify my work so that others can be inspired and encouraged without the distractions of all my typos, misuse of grammar and wrongly remembered facts. She is for me, not against me!
And I need her! Why was I getting upset? It was because I was seeing her queries and corrections as rejection of what I had created, and therefore of me. I was seeing her as opposed to what I was trying to do, but that's the biggest lie because she is actually standing alongside me using her amazing gifts of detail, knowledge and meticulous care to make what I have created be able to soar. She works behind the scenes, unknown, unheralded. But without her my 'masterpiece' would surely stay earthbound. She is not the negative rejecting voices of my past, she is my friend and the life giving voice of my present who wants me to succeed and my work to fly.
'Love thy editor?' whispers the Lord again and as I glance down my page now full of scored out words, comments and queries a big YES fills my heart, for I know that every score is valid. I HAVE used that word far too many times in one sentence, I HAVEput that comma in the wrong place; I HAVE remembered the name of that building wrongly. . ,
'Love thy editor?
Yes Lord, she's your gift to me! Please bless her 100% today!
Tracy Williamson is an author and speaker working for MBM Trust with blind singer/songwriter Marilyn Baker. Tracy is currently preparing her new book A Beautiful Tapestry about her and Marilyn's ministry together for publication in Nov 2020.
www.mbm-ministries.org
But I can't help it, I DO feel violated. I spent hours, days weeks and months writing this book, all with the purpose of inspiring others and building them up in their faith, so how can someone else have the right, even under the EDITOR'S hat, of querying my every sentence, scoring through my every word? Ok, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, it wasn't quite 'every' word and sentence. But it felt like it! and part of me wants to rise up like a mama bear defending her cubs and growl and show my claws.
But then a thought comes unbidden into my mind 'Love thy editor, she's on your side.' 'Love thy. . .Hang on, Lord,' I protested 'you're quoting that reference wrongly, surely you know its NEIGHBOUR not EDITOR?But at that point there was a silence in my spirit and I knew why. I am wanting to see my editor as my enemy and therefore feel righteous about snarling at her and fighting her every suggestion. But she isn't my enemy. She's my 'neighbour' She's alongside me, provided for me by God himself to hone and beautify my work so that others can be inspired and encouraged without the distractions of all my typos, misuse of grammar and wrongly remembered facts. She is for me, not against me!
And I need her! Why was I getting upset? It was because I was seeing her queries and corrections as rejection of what I had created, and therefore of me. I was seeing her as opposed to what I was trying to do, but that's the biggest lie because she is actually standing alongside me using her amazing gifts of detail, knowledge and meticulous care to make what I have created be able to soar. She works behind the scenes, unknown, unheralded. But without her my 'masterpiece' would surely stay earthbound. She is not the negative rejecting voices of my past, she is my friend and the life giving voice of my present who wants me to succeed and my work to fly.
'Love thy editor?' whispers the Lord again and as I glance down my page now full of scored out words, comments and queries a big YES fills my heart, for I know that every score is valid. I HAVE used that word far too many times in one sentence, I HAVEput that comma in the wrong place; I HAVE remembered the name of that building wrongly. . ,
'Love thy editor?
Yes Lord, she's your gift to me! Please bless her 100% today!
Tracy Williamson is an author and speaker working for MBM Trust with blind singer/songwriter Marilyn Baker. Tracy is currently preparing her new book A Beautiful Tapestry about her and Marilyn's ministry together for publication in Nov 2020.
www.mbm-ministries.org
Very interesting Tracy. I have in the past reacted negatively to editorial comments on a ms and later blessed that editor for pointing things out to me that I believe dramatically improved the book.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading this!
ReplyDeleteMe too! God bless your editor.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely what SC Skillman says - editors, and beta readers, really helpful! And remember they are on our side - talking about improving, not talking about junking - and, they are talking about a MS, not ourselves! (A book is actually not our 'baby' but we do tend to treat them that way... )
ReplyDeleteIt's so true! It stings so much. I remember sending my manuscript of 'Being Miss' to a professional editor. As an English teacher, I was fairly sure it would be straightforward. And, sure enough, she didn't find many actual spelling mistakes or grammar errors. But the INCONSISTENCIES went on and on. Which do you want? she had to ask me. Staff-room? Staff room? or Staffroom? You've used all three. Er ...... And she really rapped me over the knuckles about bombarding people with similes or references they wouldn't get. Gosh, she was so right!
ReplyDeleteYes, this rings really true for me too. When I wrote textbooks, there were many queries etc from the editor. I've just finished the first draft of my novel and am paying someone to proofread/edit it. Must be mad! But I know it will be a much better 'product' when I submit it.
ReplyDeleteHi Deborah, when you get a chance, I'd love to know how you found your proof-reader/editor as I may need the same thing. I asked in the FB page but that didn't' go very far. Thank you :)
DeleteThis was brilliant and helpful, Tracy. I loved how you took us on the journey of how your feelings changed. My prayer email gets edited each week, and I can easily get offended so reading this is just what I needed. Thank you :)
ReplyDelete