Switching Hats
Since I spent a good deal of my professional career as an editor, switching hats from a writer to editor is as simple for me as standing up, walking away from my computer, getting a snack, and returning as “Editor-in-Chief.”
Shazaaam!
I know that, once I’m done writing my draft manuscript, there’s a whole lot of work to be done. And I’m so grateful that I can turn off my writing self and disengage from the emotional connection I have to the words I put on paper. I know that many, if not most, writers struggle with this rewriting, revising, and editing phase, so that’s why I serve others as a freelance editor from time to time.
So here’s a glimpse into the editing journey I experience. I hope it will give you some tips, ideas, and inspiration for switching hats and putting on your own editing hat.
Before I start editing, I pray for wisdom, and I give the draft some time and space. I call it “letting it get cold.” Then, when I’m ready to tackle it head on, I first do a spell and grammar check and deal with any of the obvious. After that, I look for anything that needs slashing, cutting, adding, deleting—well, you get the idea.
I view the editing process as a unique form of creating. It’s like when my husband creates something from a raw piece of wood—cutting away the unnecessary, sanding off the rough edges, and finishing it with a lovely stain to make it a beautiful masterpiece.
As I edit, sometimes I rewrite a whole section and make the story a lot better. Other times I delete whole paragraphs, scenes, or sections. Sometimes I dig down in the weeds and use my thesaurus to find better words.
Many times I have to be brutal with my work; other times I have to hold it loosely and know that another pair of eyes and a different brain—my craft group, beta readers, agent, and/or editor—can see what I can’t see. I know that every writer has weaknesses, and I am no different. I can end up with pet words that I use too much. Or I can get caught up in a scene and wax way too elegantly on a point I’m driving home rather than keeping it short and sweet.
Sometimes I’m simply so exasperated with my writing that I get discouraged. Or I doubt my abilities and inspiration. That’s when I take some time with the One who gave me the ideas and talents and abilities in the first place. And He always finds a way to reorient me and restore my vision.
So when you have to switch hats, put on your editor’s hat with a positive attitude. Hold our work loosely and let the Holy Spirit show you the flaws and the challenges. And be open to change whatever needs changing. You’ll be glad you did.
How do you switch from the writer to the editor hat? I’d love to know!
Turning Scars Into Stars
The Merriam-Webster dictionary says the word vulnerable means that one is “open to attack, harm, or damage; easily hurt or harmed physically, emotionally, or mentally”. But vulnerability also means that one is open and sensitive and transparent. Since I’ve already been through the “hurt” part, my heart’s cry is to let my characters be open and transparent enough help others through their hurts simply by being vulnerable and sharing a story of loss, pain, scars…and stars!
In my first two non-fiction books, Countdown for Couples: Preparing for the Adventure of Marriage, and The ReMarriage Adventure: Preparing for a Lifetime of Love & Happiness (Tyndale Publishers), my husband and I were quite transparent about the mistakes we made in our first marriages and the hard lessons we learned through the pain, hurt, and scars.
In my Irish Quilt Legacy, I was repeatedly challenged to be vulnerable, for the story is loosely based on my life and my family heritage. As I plotted out my dual story line, I toyed with the idea of deleting half the story line and running for the hills every time I included a bit of my story. I knew I’d have to relive some of the scars of my past, revisit some of the pain, and rehearse some of the most emotionally traumatic moments of my life. And I didn’t want to go there.
But I put it down on paper and then I spent hours, days, weeks, and months facing some of the scars that I prayed would turn into stars…stars that could light the way toward healing for some of the readers who have faced similar pain and scars.
In the process, I fell in love with my characters and chose my words carefully. I wept with those in my story who wept, and I laughed when they did. I held my breath when I didn’t see the answer to a problem, and I rejoiced when God showed up and overcame obstacles that seemed insurmountable.
In a small way, I lived it all over again. I revised it, edited it, prayed over it, and sent it to my agent. And I’m waiting (patiently?) for a publishing contract. But even in the waiting, I feel a little bit vulnerable.
Friends and family will see a part of my life that I’ve conveniently put in a box on the highest shelf, way back in the farthest corner of my closet. Readers, known and unknown, will see glimpses of my character’s messed up life and broken heart and wonder just how much of that is me. Have I been too open, too exposed, too vulnerable? Though that’s the price of vulnerability, I pray it pays off by connecting with and bringing hope to my readers.
How vulnerable are you as a writer, a friend, a person? I’d love to know!
Confessions of a Conflict Hater
Okay. Time for true confessions. I hate conflict.
I don’t like getting into disagreements with my husband. I don’t like having a spat with a friend. As a parent, I hated the constant conflict resolution that was needed when my two kids didn’t get along. As a teacher, I sure didn’t enjoy being the one who had to break up the many tiffs between pubescent girls. And as a Grandma? Well, let’s just say that I sometimes choose to become an ostrich. You get the idea.
So when I began writing fiction, I had a problem. I knew that conflict is a main ingredient to a good story, and if I was going to write good, compelling fiction, I had to have compelling conflict that would hold the reader’s attention. But how was I going to address the very thing I was tempted to run from? I had to settle that question, and quick!
Although conflict is often present in almost every day of most of our lives, we often overlook or ignore it. Hubbie doesn’t want cereal for breakfast. Son wants to play before he does his homework. Daughter doesn’t like the way you did her hair. Colleague disagrees with a decision you made. Neighbor dislikes your dog barking. The list goes on and on.
For me, when confronted with conflict, I tend to self talk, fret, stew, worry, and struggle with sleepless nights. But those ways of dealing with conflict don’t make a good story.
Conflict is uncomfortable, and most conflict just plain hurts. But that’s what keeps readers reading. Like you and me, readers want to know how others deal with conflict, how characters try and fail and try again and finally succeed.
So I turned to my first two non-fiction books that deal with preparing for marriage for advice, and I applied what my counselor-husband and I wrote. We had great tips and guidelines and personality types and ways to solve difficult conflict, and I applied those ideas to my characters’ lives. Bingo!
Because it’s hard for me to invent conflict when I want to avoid it, I had to be aware of this weakness. So when I was doing my rewrites and editing, I often had to add an element of conflict or deepen it. I realized that I was, indeed, running from conflict even as I wrote. Recognizing this helps me be cognizant to include the very thing I hate. As I grow in my craft, though, I trust I will grow in this area as well.
How do you handle conflict? I’d love to know!
“Career Speed Dating”
I’d seen it on TV. Stressful and almost silly as people jumped from potential date to date, wondering if someone would choose them and find a match. And as I watched it, I was so glad that I’m happily married and would never have to do that!
But then, there I was at ACFW, and it felt like speed dating. Butterflies. Nerves on edge. Sweaty palms. Wondering if I’d find a match. It just didn’t make sense.
I had been in the editor’s seat, taking author appointments, for years. Dozens of them. As an editor, I had worked so hard to put each potential author at ease with a smile and a dish of candies. I’d chatted with them and encouraged them in their writing journey. I’d given gentle and kind guidance (never crit!) and tried to help them along the way. I was kind, sweet, friendly, courteous. And it was exhausting to take appointment after appointment and talk, discern, counsel, and gently say ‘no’ to some.
But now I was that author waiting with a dozen others to “pitch” my story to an editor, and I was nervous as a little kitten. Would they laugh? Would they reject me…I mean, my story?
I went to my first appointment and found a welcoming and smiling face. The editor quickly put me at ease with a laugh and a chat before my “pitch”. She was affirming, interested, and encouraging, and I walked away pumped.
My second appointment found a wilted and weary soul who did her best to explain her publishing house and why my project was not a fit. And I was fine with that. I left the meeting and prayed for her—for strength and for wisdom. I knew how she felt.
At my third appointment, I felt like I had found a kindred spirit. Charlene was jovial, generous, and gracious. She was excited about my project, even counseling me to “hurry up and finish it!” Yes, Ma’am! I’m right on it.
So my “career speed dating” wasn’t as difficult as I had thought it would be. In fact, it was fun!
When have you found yourself unnecessarily nervous and why? I’d love to know!
Great Expectations
As I booked my flights for the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) confererence, it dawned on me. I’ve been going to writers conferences for over 15 years, but this is the first time I’ve solely gone as a writer!
I’ve been on the faculty for dozens of conferences. I’ve taught workshops, had appointments with writers, sat on the other side of the table from those trembling, nervous writers hoping I’ll say “yes” to some of their writing. Now I’ll be on that side of the table. Wow!
I’m especially excited about this conference. It’s the first one that’s completely for fiction writers, and now that I’ve made the transition from non-fiction writing to writing novels, I can’t wait to be in the thick of things with like-minded creatives.
So I took a few minutes to assess my expectations in hopes it’ll help me (and you when you attend a conference) to be realistic about my expectations and prepared for the adventure of the conference. Here goes:
I expect to have a blast! I’ve always enjoyed the excitement, energy, and fun of conferences, so now that I don’t have to teach or have meetings all day, I expect to soak it all in and enjoy the journey.
I expect that I’ll learn so much in the general meetings and in the workshops and as I meet people that I’ll nearly burst with new knowledge. As a lifetime learner who thrives on learning, fill me up, and away I’ll go. I can’t wait!
I expect I’ll meet a whole bunch of kindred spirits. Since we writers are a unique lot, it’ll be awesome to renew friendships, meet new friends, and connect with like-minded folks who just want to serve God through their writing.
I expect that I’ll be a bit nervous when I meet with the editors who are or will be looking at my first completed novel. Though I’ve been on that side of the table, this will be new to me, but I’m still looking forward to it.
I expect I’ll recharge my batteries even though I’ll get little sleep and be exhausted by the time I leave. There’s nothing more energizing than inspiring speakers, great worship, making new friends, and experiencing a conference to keep me up at night, get my creative juices flowing, and recharge my imagination.
I expect to have good food, great conversations, and divine moments.
I expect to participate in some great times of worship and prayer and moments with God.
I expect I’ll have some new adventures, new experiences, and new inspirations that I can’t even imagine.
All I can say is…bring it on!
What is the best part of going to a writers conference for you? I’d love to know!
Be-Atitudes of a Writer
As I began to write my second novel, The Fabric of Faith, I heard a sermon on the beatitudes. I’d heard a dozen or more sermons on that topic before, but as I pondered what the preacher talked about, I couldn’t help but applying it to the writing life.
Matthew 5 says that Jesus taught the multitudes, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they, which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they, which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
How can we apply the concept of “be-attitudes” to our writing life, our creative life, or just life in general in a new and fresh way? Although not in order of Matthew’s beatitudes, here’s what I came up with:
- Be patient. Writing is perfected over time.
- Be content. Enjoy the journey and stop wanting more.
- Be prepared. Learn all you can about writing.
- Be proactive. Schedule writing time and remember, you reap what you sow.
- Be clear. Communicate well.
- Be tenacious. It doesn’t matter how you feel; if God’s called you to write, never give up.
- Be doers. Write! Write! Write!
- Be connected. Find other writers and do life with them.
- Be dead. Die to your personal plans and live for God’s plans for your writing life.
But Jesus wasn’t finished. He went on to say, “You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
How can we “salt” our writing to make our readers hungry and thirsty for Him?
And then Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Writers, creatives, and friends, let your light shine!
What other be-attitudes would you add to this list? I’d love to know!