• Freelance Editors & Food for Thought

    Editors are Part of an Author’s Education The freelance editors I’ve worked with have been an invaluable part of my education as a writer. I like some people’s approach better than others, but that’s a personal preference. Every time I’ve paid an editor to critique my writing, be it query, pages, or a full manuscript, I’ve invested in myself. The evolution of a writer’s craft is an ongoing discovery. Sometimes it hurts. Rejections from agents can be downright depressing, and receiving feedback is often akin to having one’s soul crushed. Which leads me to my next point: When it Comes to Feedback, Keep an Open Mind An editor’s job is not…

  • The Satisfying Torture of Query Writing

    I remember my first attempt at a query. *snicker* We won’t talk about that. In the last month, I’ve had four different people help me with my current query. Four. Professionals. None of whom I’ve worked with before. Because, no matter how hard I tried, I still wasn’t satisfied with the thing. Maybe it’s because I’ve learned from each editor along the way, or maybe she just speaks my language, but the final person I’m working with has helped me see possibilities I haven’t until now. This has me all excited for a number of reasons: Being able to explain my story clearly and simply is crucial. That’s what a query is…