Stabhappy,
Ah, Stabhappy.
This is my first novel, which meant of course my first time working with a professional editor. I think a lot of people (especially writers) have an incorrect idea that an editor either makes all kinds of changes to the novel on their own, or makes ridiculous demands like insisting on adding a love story or sidekick where they don't make sense, etc.
My experience with my editor, Bess Cozby, was nothing short of wonderful: instead of making demands, she was simply very good at asking the right questions, or asking if it was possible to see more of certain interactions/themes, etc (as well as things like pointing out when I'm being repetitive or can trim paragraphs or run-on sentences like this one). But she never drew any lines in the sand, and was always quick to remind me that the book is mine first and foremost, and that I shouldn't make any edits I didn't agree with.
Except for Stabhappy. This was the only fight I definitively lost.
Stabhappy's original name was ... decidedly more profane.
