When Butterflies Attack

Butterflies are beautiful, although as someone with a slight (read not so slight) phobia of bugs, browsing photos of butterflies creeps me out. I'm absolutely not one of those people who would go to a butterfly farm and let them land on me...shudder, and this post is not about an actual butterfly swarm.

I'm talking today about the ones that make an appearance in our stomachs. The stomach flippers.

There are lots of reasons why our stomachs flip: Fear, surprise, anticipation, nerves, shock, and my favorite, attraction.

Today, one of my favorite ladies gave me butterflies. I have somewhat of a same-sex crush--- the equivalent of bromance for women--- on this lovely lady. Not because I adore her writing and fangirl regularly over her books. And not because she's a beautiful woman and an amazing friend. Nope. Today, her words caused my stomach to flip because she's my editor. Let me explain.

My editor has had my latest novel, Choosing to Dream, Book 2 in my Sunset Dreams Series, for the last few weeks. She's sent me regular updates on her progress, but today, she sent me The Message. It was a quick text letting me know she was done, sending me the edit, and her editing letter. She warned that before I open the edited MS, I was to read the letter and let her know if I had any questions.

Uh oh. Butterflies. I sent a quick message back letting her know how ominous her message was. Her response was another warning. "And I will tell you now that I was very hard on you. Because you can take it."

My response, "Bring it on."

See, I never knew how wonderful it was to work with an editor until I started working with an editor. And I was lucky enough to find one that truly has my best interest at heart. This is the fourth project we've worked on together. I want her to push me and ask her to do exactly that. I want her to help me reach that next level. I am one of the few writers I know who loves this process.

As I waited for her email with the aforementioned editing letter to come through, the butterflies in my stomach started to wreak havoc. What if I can't take it? What if it says this book is a total redo? What if she hated it?


Honestly, at this point in my career, if she would've told me it was a total redo, than I would've postponed the release until it was ready. I have no interest in putting out a mediocre story. If I'm going to stay true to my motto of improving with each title I release, then at minimum, this book has to be better than Sweet Dreams, Book 1 in the series. I'm not willing to sacrifice quality for timelines. After all, I am the queen of my publishing schedule.

Once the editing letter came through, it was extensive. Lots of ways to improve the story itself, language used, character development. Butterflies were crashing against my ribcage looking for an escape. There is a lot to be done. However, my editor advised that I am at a point in my writing where I'm ready to dig a little deeper. She's pushing me, but confident that I now have the skill to make the changes and improvements she's suggesting.

Her vote of confidence is extremely comforting, but as I'm writing this post, the butterflies are still fluttering. It's exciting to move forward like this, but also terrifying. This is what I wanted. I asked for it. Now it's time to get to work.

That's why I adore my editor. She gives tough love. She gives honest encouragement. She gives me butterflies. What makes your stomach flip?


My current romance, Sea Breeze, releases May 27th. Join My Dream Team, for a sneak peek at the first two chapters.

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Find me and all my news on my website at www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com

Self Editing Tips and Tricks For January

So, you've finished your first draft. Great. Congratulations. Now the real work begins.
If you're with a publisher you'll be turning in your manuscript for editing. The editor will make notes of changes they want and send it back to you for you to edit and re-submit.

If you're self publishing, then you will need to hire your own editor. I say need, because this is a must. An editor is the most important investment you can make in your writing. Book covers, marketing, branding, all are important, but before you do any of those things you want your book to be the best it can be. I thought I couldn't afford an editor. I didn't know where to even start looking my first time around. Rookie mistake, but I'm telling you this so you don't make the same mistake I did.  Now, I know better. I'm even having my first work of fiction re-edited.

An editor makes you a better writer. I recommend the professionals over at PageCurl Publishing and Promotion. I worked with Patricia, Samantha and Melody on my recent holiday romantic short, I'm currently working with them to polish up my first work of fiction, and edit my current WIP.

That said, there are a few things you can do yourself before handing your manuscript over to your editor, which your editor will also appreciate. Here are some tips I've learned that I hope will come in handy. I write contemporary romance. Not all the tips below may be applicable if you are writing scifi, historical fiction or suspense. Keep that in mind. I will

1. Always spell out the word okay. Don't overuse.
2. Always capitalize God.
3. Avoid the word just. It tends to be a crutch for a lot of writers.
4. Use contractions. Find all the instances of it is, she is, I am, that is, he will, etc. and contract.
5. Use the Find tool to find and replace words too often used as well as contractions.
6. Do not use the Find and Replace all tool. This is tempting, but should be avoided. There are some instances where it is isn't it's, but its.
7. Use first line indent at the beginning of each paragraph. Do not tab or use space bar. Use the tool bar at the top to format your entire document.
8. Use insert page break at the end of the last sentence of each chapter.
9. Numbers under 100 should be spelled out. Exceptions to the rule are for an address or time.
10. Always have a minimum of two or three beta readers read before submitting for final edit to catch those things you are too close to see.

I hope those were helpful. I'll post more again in the future.

Do you have any quick tips you can share for self-editing?

Thanks for reading.

Choosing to Dream, Book 2 of the Sunset Dreams series is coming soon. Stay tuned.

You can find me online at www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com

Want to be a better writer? Hire an editor.

This weekend, I finished the final edits on my current WIP with the help of my new editor. During the process, I learned so much about what I do right and what I do wrong. All of it, even the realization that I have a serious aversion to the comma, was amazing.

The process of sending your baby off to be judged by a professional editor can be scary. We all doubt ourselves and fear that someone will come along and say, "You suck. You're terrible. Find another passion." But I am here to tell you that as a newbie writer, my editor's suggestions and corrections are pearls of wisdom and I'm soaking them all up like a sponge.

Maybe I'm lucky. I have heard that the relationship between writer and editor can be a tough one. I think, if you find the right person, someone who encourages you, someone who is there to help you succeed, then having an editor can only make you a better writer.

What are the different types of editors and what do they do? Read this article. It explains it all and just happens to be written by my new editor.
http://www.writingwenches.com/types-of-editing-and-when-to-use-them/

Here are some of the things I've learned about myself:
It's okay, not ok.
The comma, in compound sentences, still confuses me.
The word "just" tends to be a crutch.
Numbers under 100 should be spelled out.
If you have described something in dialogue, you don't also need to describe it in the narrative.
Repeating the same words, in the same sentence, or same paragraph, sounds awkward.
When writing dialogue in contemporary fiction, it's better to use contractions.


The way I see it, this is a learning process. I have always been the type of person who wants to be the best at whatever I attempt. A barista at a coffee house or an office executive - I've been both. And in each and every job I've ever had, I've always wanted to be the best.

Now with art, and writing is an art, there is no such thing as the best. People may argue, but writing, like any art, is subjective.

I do want to be the best writer I can be and that means constantly growing. I don't want the first book I ever write to be my masterpiece, I want the last book I ever write to by my masterpiece. I want to learn and reach and improve with each work I create.

I love my editor and value my editor and thank the stars I have found her, because she is going to help me become a better writer. I anxiously await her comments and suggestions. Yes, I am editing.
In the words of one of my favorite characters, I'm ready!

 

You can find me at www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com

 

#amediting

#amwriting