16 Ways to Make Your Editor Love You

You don’t have to fear the mighty red pen of your editor!

Many of my writer friends are afraid of their editor. More accurately, they’re afraid of the massive overhauls they’ll end up doing once their editor sends back their books. Me, I LOVE my editors. In fact, the more they tell me to improve, the happier I am. I want to know how I can do things better the next time, so the more I learn from my current manuscript, the better.

Want to make your editor’s job easier and more enjoyable? Want to make sure your manuscript is as red-pen-free as possible? I sat down with a couple of my editor friends and asked them “What can we writers do to make you love us?”

Here is their answer:

The Cliff Notes

Properly format your documents.
Give me a setting and character I love.

Use strong sensory hooks to engage the senses. Sight, smell, sounds: all of these things draw the editor (and your reader) into the story.
Being forced to ask questions: make us wonder about what’s going on.


Hold your ground and defend the reasons for your story. If there’s a reason why it’s put that way, let them know.

Remember the editor is trying to help you tell YOUR story the best possible way. If they can’t understand what you’re trying to say, neither will the reader.


Be easy to work with.
Make each scene count. Eliminate anything that isn’t necessary.
Bring an unfinished manuscript to your developmental editor. Work with them to figure out the best way to tell that story and make your plot work.
Incorporate past feedback into your work. It shows your skills are growing.
Build suspense through the plot of the book. Build it up so we enjoy it.
Make an effort to pass the Bechdel test.
Don’t talk about coffee too much!
Be unique. Editors love to see something new!
Follow basic plot structure (three act structure, hero’s journey, etc.)

For plot structure, look up: Scene and Structure by Jack Bickham, The Marshall Plan by Evan Marshall


Know the rules, but break them anyway. HAVE THE FOUNDATION, and build off it to make your work stand out.
Don’t overdo it on the details. Make the details (action, setting, etc.) relevant, and use it to lead the reader through the story.
Enjoy the process and learn as you grow. Be open to suggestions.
Be on time with deadlines.

About the Panelists

Megan Hannum

Megan Hannum is a developmental editor and writing coach at Whynott Edit, helping writers refine their words, strengthen their skills, and tell the best possible version of their stories. It’s been said she has “a supernatural ability to see what’s missing,” which she uses to get writers from completed draft to publishable manuscript.

Get Social:

Website: www.whynottedit.com

Twitter: twitter.com/WhynottEdit

Instagram: instagram.com/whynottedit

Michael Dellert

I’m an award-winning writer, editor, publishing consultant, and writing coach with a publishing career spanning 20 years. My blog, Adventures in Indie Publishing, is a resource for creative writers of all kinds.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and Writing, a Master’s Degree in English Language and Literature, and a summer seminar at Cornell University’s elite School of Criticism and Theory, I have a formidable understanding of the art and mechanics of literature and poetry.

Get Social:

Publishing Services Web Page: http://www.mdellert.com/blog/writing-editing-and-consulting-services/

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/michael-dellert/29/40a/986

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MDellertDotCom

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mdellert.editor

 

The post 16 Ways to Make Your Editor Love You appeared first on Andy Peloquin.