Please join the Chicks in welcoming Liz Milliron, author of the Laurel Highlands Mysteries. Leave a comment below to be entered into the giveaway for a copy of book one, ROOT OF ALL EVIL.
The Dreaded Red Pen
Before I was offered my book contract, the publisher had a few questions. I expected them, especially the ones about social media and marketing. But I stumbled when I got to this one:
“Would you be willing to accept editorial changes?”
My first reaction, I admit was, “What kind of question is that? Of course I’ll take feedback to make it the best book it can be.”I wondered: do writers really refuse edits? And then, like all those ridiculous warnings we read about, (“do not use your hair dryer in the shower”) I realized the reason the question is asked is because yes, there are writers who refuse edits. Who resist even the teeniest change to their precious words.
To them I say…good luck.
I mean, I think I’m a pretty good writer. I’ve had a few short stories accepted in fairly big-deal places (Blood on the Bayou and Mystery Most Historical, from Bouchercon and Malice Domestic respectively). But even though the stories were good enough for acceptance, they benefitted from a good editor. Like the editor for “Home Front Homicide” in Mystery Most Historical, who asked how the pavement could steam in the midday sun when at the beginning of the scene I said it was early morning? Good catch.
Even editing Root of All Evil, a book I’d been over with countless people during the course of two years. I had two Thursdays. There were logic holes, albeit small ones. I had scenes where I’d said one thing, only to say something slightly different two scenes later.
Line editing found all my overused words, suggested better words, and offered “this might be more interesting if you do X instead of Y.” I always had the discretion to ignore the edits of course, but you know what? Nine times out of ten, the editors were spot on.
The reality is, the best idea in the world can benefit from constructive feedback. Sometimes this is critique partners or beta readers. But the beauty of a professional editor is this is a person who is trained to see the flaws, the holes, the places where a little tweak takes something from “good” to “outstanding.” Yeah, the writer has to come up with the idea and put in the sweat equity to get the words on the page. But a good editor is worth their weight in gold. If the writer is willing, their work goes up in quality – even when it was good quality to start with.
Now, I admit. Some “editors” change a writer’s content to match their own vision. I’m not sure those are really editors, or at least not good ones. A good editor isn’t trying to impose her vision on the story. She leaves the vision to the writer; her job is to help the writer elevate her craft. I’ve been blessed to work with a lot of great editors, including my editors at Level Best (Harriette Sackler and Shawn Reilly Simmons). I count two of them as close friends. In every case, they’ve made my stories that much better, sometimes with the smallest of suggestions.
And really, who doesn’t want to be better?
Readers, do you have someone who fills the role of “helping you be better”? Who? One random commenter will win their choice of a signed print copy of Root of All Evil or ebook (Kindle or Nook). US entries only, please.
Liz Milliron has been making up stories, and creating her own endings for other people’s stories, for as long as she can remember. She survived growing up through reading, cutting her mystery teeth on Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark and, of course, Nancy Drew. As an adult, she finds escape from the world of software documentation through creating her own fictional murder and mayhem. She lives near Pittsburgh with her husband and two teenage children, and fantasizes about owning a dog – one of these days. (Headshot courtesy of www.erinmclainstudio.com)
For more information, please visit www.lizmilliron.com.
Chicks on the Case 
I benefit greatly from Lourdes Venard’s editing (Comma Sense Editing) for my books in the Penningtons Investigate series. I also have to say how much I enjoyed a recent visit to the Laurel Highlands. What a beautiful area! Our guides were longtime residents who made us feel at home and pointed out quirks and favorites for us to enjoy.
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Kate, Lourdes is wonderful isn’t she? And I’m so glad you’ve been to the Laurel Highlands. Yes, very beautiful, but yes, lots of quirks (which is great for fiction).
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My kids do! If any part of the wonderful young people they are becoming has an iota of a reflection on me, it’s because they always reminded me how to be the best mom. Looking forward to checking out your book. Thanks for the chance to win.
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I know exactly what you mean. My kids are older teens now, but especially when they were young and more impressionable, I wanted to be a good mom for them.
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Breaking news: The random number generator has chosen you as the winner, Holdenj!
You will receive an email soon…
Congratulations!
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I had the privilege of reading an advance copy of “Root of all Evil” and can attest to what a great job Liz and her editor did. It was a thoroughly good read.
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Thank you, Grace!
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I’ve been lucky enough to find some great beta readers. They’re always good at pointing out flaws in my stories. Since I’m self-published, I probably have more leniency as to whether I use their advice, and some of their feedback is always more of a personal preference type of thing that I don’t always act on. But when two or more of them mention the same issue, I know I better get to work on revising.
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Good beta readers are always worth their weight in gold!
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Congrats again on the book release! I definitely have a group of people who’ve read every word of my Detective by Day books and give me valued feedback. In terms of edits, I always say pick your battles.
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Thanks, Kellye! Yes, I always think of Teddy Roosevelt on San Juan Hill – “Is this where I want to plant my flag?” About 50% of the time the answer is no.
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Great post. Editing is so important. Hope your book birthday was fabulous and that you’re enjoying the launch madness! Very excited for you and wishing you lots of success.
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Understanding that fact separates hobbyists from pros, I think. And yes, I am enjoying the post-launch/release madness tremendously!
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The Root of All Evil is a great book, and I’m so excited for its release! Congrats once again!!
Before my books go to my publisher, I make beta readers beat me up and tell me what’s wrong and could be better. I value their insights and opinions so much!
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Thanks again, Kathy! My critique group beats me up on a regular basis. I love them.
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Totally agree! I would be deeply suspicious if an editor or beta read one of my books and said it was perfect. 🙂 Congrats on your new book! P.S. I live sandwiched between two neighborhoods: The Laurel and Lincoln Highlands. I have to admit I did a double take!
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Yes. If someone were to read my work and say, “I have no comments,” I’d be suspicious. And too funny about the neighborhoods!
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Great post, Liz! Congrats on your release — and thanks for hanging out today with the Chicks!! And, yes, good editors are godsends!
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It was fun, Vickie!
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All I can say is, thank goodness for editors! (Especially my fabulous editor at Crooked Lane, Nike Power, who has saved my butt on numerous occasions.) Hope you get that dog soon!
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Heh, I hope so too (but somehow I think it will be longer than I want).
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Yes, those edits are vital. Readers can tell when an author won’t take feedback. Or when good feedback isn’t offered. Both can hurt the final book.
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Readers always know, it seems. Smart readers. 🙂
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Liz, you are so right. It takes a team to bring a book to market and working with an extra pair of sharp eyes and talents always helps. Congratulations on your new release, I look forward to reading it. Write on!
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Thanks, Nancy! I enjoyed your latest, too!
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Thanks so much for the introduction to Liz Milliron. I am always on the look-out to find new authors.
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Pleased to meet you!
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I’m all for editors! I sort of miss those #2 pencils. I never used red pencils cuz too messy–couldn’t erase! They gave them to the copyeditors, who also used sticky notes so they (and ticked-off authors) could just peel them off.
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I remember the blue pencils I used when I was a copy editor for the college newspaper. Those things were great!
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Congrats again on The Root of All Evil, Liz–and thanks so much for visiting us!!!
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My mom is that person. I’m always bouncing ideas (general life stuff, not a story or anything) off her & she’s able to come up scenarios/issues that I might not have thought of.
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Moms are great for that. My mom passed away in 2001 and there were so many times raising my kids when it would have been nice to call and ask, “Am I doing it right?”
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Sorry I’m late to this party, but I couldn’t agree more! My author friends all seem to the on the same page. But I’ve had people ask me to read their TV specs who were both shocked and offended when I gave them notes. One guy was dating a friend. He told her he wrote a spec comedy pilot because he thought what was on TV was so bad that anyone could write something better. He sure couldn’t. But he was so appalled by my kind feedback (I didn’t tell him what I really thought – the whole thing should be tossed) that he broke up with my friend!!
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