Bernadette Benda

( I am switching my blogs posts to Wednesdays. Tuesdays aren’t working. Too much dancing.)

This winter I got myself an editor, long due for my Gothic sci-fi short story “When the Crows Murdered the Moor” (originally called “the Moor”…boring name.)

My editor and I have only met twice so far, and right now I am pouring over, and scribbling over, and generally ripping everything apart…

Yeah. Got to love edits. (Find the drawing of the crow).

Here are five things I’ve learned on this journey so far:

1: How to get an editor.

Very easy. Mention the need to your amazing, all-knowing magical sister and she’ll say she knows someone who could do it.
Then exchange phone numbers.

If you don’t have an amazing, all-knowing magical sister….I can’t help. *shrugs* BUT, asking around is good. Personal recommendations are always the best. Also you can find someone in your area.

2: Editors are amazing, encouraging, and enlightening human beings. Don’t be scared.

Mine is at least. I can’t tell you how good it felt to have someone read it, and tell me what it needed. Like, I knew it needed something, but what?
It’s like going to the doctor and discovering that the reason your toe is swelling is because an extra bone just formed inside.

(cause yes, that happened.)

3: You should go cliche.

Meet at the same Starbucks every time and sit at the same table. Just go for it.

Oh, and get a Chai Latte.

4: It energizes you.

I needed it. Really badly. Because part of the problem was that I had lost interest in “When the Crows Murdered the Moor.” It was just a short story that needed to be edited and finished.
Having someone look at it, see potential, get excited? Then I got excited too and remembered why I started it in the first place.

5: All summed up? Editor’s are extremely important.

Did it cost some money? Yes. But it was worth it. If you feel you have gone as far as you can with a piece, but know it needs something more, it’s time. You won’t regret it.

Peace out,

Bernadette

(Have any thoughts are questions? Comment below!)