Editing . . . Hard on the Old Self Esteem

It never ceases to amaze me how edits are a shock to the system. I just got an edit back from the online critique group. This is for a second novel. I submit a chapter a month and get a review. I provide the same service to the others in the group. Today's edits weren't tough, but there were enough where I wanted to tell the editor what I was thinking and why I'd written it that way. Its frustrating. Then again, if she didn't see why I'd written that way, I obviously didn't do a good enough job.

But, you should remember (or I should) that no matter how good you think something is, editors will always find something to correct or say. It's their job. Even if all the spelling and grammar are correct, they'll find words to transpose, or sentences to restructure. They don't feel as though they've done a good job unless they write something. It's a delicate balancing act to separate the wheat from the chaff. The hardest part is taking all three critiques and bringing them all together and making one final draft. Still, it's better than having to go through it in person. At least I know that this person has taken a second or two to read it.

Anyone interested in a pretty good critique group should consider joining this one (here).