Into the Fire

Karen Ball, premier editor and author joins us today adding more significant answers to questions about editing and fiction. She is gracious, always humorous and fun-loving, and has edited some of the best. I am thankful for her time and expertise.

1.Does the “editor’s hat” ever come off? Is it possible to read without wanting to edit?

Here’s something most folks don’t know: that hat is stuck on with Velcro, not Super Glue. So yes, it does come off. Maybe not as easily or often as I’d like, but it does happen. Such as when I’m reading something truly wonderful, like To Kill A Mockingbird. I will confess, though, that if I’m reading something and am totally into it, then hit a spot that’s rough, the hat flies back in place and all I can do is sit there and wonder, “WHERE was this writer’s editor?” Hazard of the trade, I guess.

2.Do you have a preference between being a freelance editor and/or an acquisition’s editor?

I’d like to be a freelance editor who gets a steady paycheck and benefits from a publisher. (Can you tell I work with fiction???) Seriously, both jobs are great, and both have their drawbacks. So I don’t prefer one over the other. I’m always just grateful to be working!

3.What is the most difficult part of editing someone’s work?

If the author isn’t teachable. That may sound egotistical, but it’s really not. My goal as an editor is to come alongside an author and help him or her craft the absolute best writing she/he can. And every author, no matter how skilled, benefits from being edited. But if an author resists, and even resents, that process, it’s a nightmare. Fortunately, I haven’t had to deal with that very often in my nearly 26 years in the biz. (Thank you, Lord!)

4.You write stories with romance, adventure, sometimes tragedy, and always with a touch of humor. What do you prefer to read?

Similar kinds of books. I love blended genres: romantic; suspense with a touch of humor, and so on.

5.If you could change anything about Christian fiction, what would it be?

That authors, both published and unpublished, would realize “edgy” doesn’t mean you have to use obscenities, graphic violence, and/or sex. So many authors tell me their writing is edgy, but when I read it, all that means is that they use base language or explicit scenes. That’s not edgy; that’s just giving in to lazy writing. Edgy is encompassing the whole gamut of the human experience, from the darkest dark to the brightest light, in ways that are evocative, not explicit. Look at Francine Rivers’s Redeeming Love. A powerful story of human degradation and restoration. And done with a level of craftmanship to which we should aspire. She shows us the dark, but in ways that don’t leave us feeling like we’ve been violated. Story is powerful, which means the author has a responsibility to the reader to take them places they’ve never been, but to ensure they don’t violate them in the process. Yes, deal with hard issues. Yes, deal with them honestly. But don’t buy into the world’s easy tools of obscenities and graphic scenes. It’s not necessary. And I don’t believe it’s God honoring.

6.What is your favorite part of editing?

The synergy that takes place between me and the author. The back and forth, give and take. That flat energizes me. And almost every time I end up with a good friend at the end of the process. Also, when I find someone who is a wonderful writer, who really knows their character and gets the voice down cold. I just had that happen with a book I edited for NavPress. It’s called In Between by Jennifer Jones, and it’s simply wonderful. So watch for it!

Thanks, Karen.

Father, in the Name of your Son Jesus Christ, I ask that you meet with Karen in those deeper places of her heart. Provide the encouragement and direction she desires to be able to fulfill what you have for her. Thank you for her willingness to share her insights and instruction. Thank you for her talent, her stories, her love for animals, her sensitivity to your people. Please continue to fill her up with your joy causing her radiant smile to surface often. Bless and direct her steps and keep her safe from all harm in the Name of Jesus, Amen.