Notes to Aspiring Writers

I wrote my first eBook, published and marketed it to the masses without ever having a professional editor look it over. Friends, family and even my husband, who is letter-placement challenged (his description), took time out of their busy schedules and corrected as much of my glaring grammatical errors as they could, and I appreciate them so much. But it wasn’t enough.

Perhaps my lack of desire to hire a professional involved wanting to save money. Perhaps it involved a little fear concerning what a professional would say. Either way, I should’ve had it done. When I released the 2nd edition of my book it had been edited, and I felt much more confident in the message I had to share.

The editing process has proven itself very valuable to me. My editor, Sarah Mattern, of She Marks in Red, has made me aware of mistakes I tend to make over and over again and, in the process, made me a stronger writer … at least a writer more aware of her weaknesses. When you pour your heart and soul into words on a page, it becomes very difficult to separate yourself from it enough to see what could be changed to make it stronger and clearer. Even the best writers need a little help from their editor friends now and then. Certainly beginning writers, like me, need help all the more.

Writer, hear me saying to get thyself to an editor. Some of the mistakes I displayed for all the world to see in my first writing attempt are embarrassing to me now. But they stand tall as a brutal reminder that no one is perfect. None of us are meant to go through this life alone. God made us for each other, to strengthen and challenge each other on to greatness. And that, friends, is what the editing process is at its best.

Ms. Mattern, thank you so much for your invaluable insight, for explaining to me once again the difference between a colon and a semi-colon, and for checking every little detail so that the work I put out there is something I can be proud of. I appreciate you so much.

Just a place for me to share continuing thoughts for aspiring writers, share other sites and articles with helpful information, and guest posts from other writers who are a step ahead of us in the journey.

Thanks for joining me!

Thanks to everyone for helping me celebrate my 1 year blogoversary!  The winners are:

Christa Taylor Apron - Michelle from Traditional Simplicity

Slugs and Bugs CD - Nina Mitchell

Whired Whimsy Necklace - Sandra Peoples (Heart for Him)

Thanks friends!  Please email me at bcmcglothlin@gmail.com to claim your prize!