Into the Fire

Most or many authors love their editors. I commend them all. I've had some of my work professionally edited. I took some of the advice and made some of the changes. I had one part of a piece looked at by a recommended editor and changed nothing because that particular editor's opinion, although sensible, didn't understand the concept of that particular story. 

Okay. I have trust issues with editors. I would like to not have those issues, but I do. 

I write fiction that in every aspect of Christian redemption, my novels should qualify as Christian fiction. However, they don't conform to some measures of the genre because of the portrayals of the worldly characters as they truly are and because of the handling of sexual attraction, tension, and challenges as they truly are for the Christian characters. I do not resort to graphics. 

The only editors I feel could competently judge my novels would be Christians, simply because an unbeliever has an immediate problem with the basic redemptive concept. 

I have a beta reader and friend who, in my mind, is exactly who I need to evaluate my novels with the eyes of an editor. She sends me her in depth notes, opinions (good and not so much), finds my overlooked mistakes, and gives her overall contributions to what she thinks will improve or solidify the story. She knows how deeply I appreciate her work as she reads. What's most important is that I trust her because she understands my voice, technique, and intentions when I write a book. We might disagree on a point or two, but generally they're minor. Before I send her a manuscript, I've gone over it what seems like a zillion times so I always hope there won't be too many flubs.

Editors scare me. There. I said it. That's just the way it is for me. I feel like all they want to do is change the way I write and rip my manuscript apart because it's no good the way it is. I doubt anyone can change that. Now editors and authors who love their editors unite! You can say, "Well, that's probably why your books don't sell and why you don't get many reviews!" Who knows? Maybe it's true! Nevertheless, it doesn't change anything about the way I feel about editors. 

Father, you know me. My horrendous flaws and innumerable mistakes. How you manage to love me in spite of me, I will never be capable of understanding. But I'm so grateful for your graciousness to me. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.