Patience was among the many aspects forming the writer-editor relationship that my guests on this weekend’s broadcast on Book Talk, Creativity and Family Matters, addressed.
Developmental editor and author of Business Unusual, Linda Beed along with former editor for a publishing company and now free-lance editor, Lynel Washington Johnson, stressed the need for authors and would-be writers to allow time for revising and refining their works of fiction both before and after consulting with an editor.
As a writer and published author I know too well the itch and desire to get one’s words and stories into the hands of readers–to see one’s art in the world. I have also witnessed what can and does occur when the works of a talented, but no less a novice to the field of publishing and literary arts is rushed to print too soon.
Recent developments in the digital sphere, the area of computers, and on the internet have streamlined the process of bringing stories from writer/author to reader.
Yet no computer can conduct the creative process and render a painting, or a story full of human authenticity and presented in a clear format that readers will not only understand, but also enjoy.
Only the human soul and brain, what Carl Jung called the psyche can do that.
Oh, I don’t doubt that there’s a computer program available for download either free or at a price, that writes stories, or novels. Question is whether readers will enjoy the stories it produces enough to purchase more and encourage their friends to join them in doing the same.
In that stories about humans and the human condition are best written by humans, writers and authors would do well to acknowledge how human need for process.
Adamant in her love of process when it comes to writing, Lynel was clear in her choice of the word patience.
An avid reader Ms. Washington is well-versed in the various of trends that flow into and out of the publishing industry she, like all good editors, offers her clients a broad perspective of not only the movements taking shape in the industry regarding plot, structure, point of view, character and setting, but which of those changes grant greater pleasure and accessibility for readers and which do not.
A writer and/or would-be author benefits greatly, learns more than we ever thought possible from making the editor’s suggested changes. Of course we, the writer must humble our ego and choose to do that.
Implementing the alterations offered by any editor worth her or his salt requires not only perseverance and determination, but most basically time.
And that requires as Ms. Washington so eloquently stated and emphasized, “Patience“.
How quickly to do you want to see your stories in print or in digital format available to readers?
How do you feel when approaching editors with your work? Do you get anxious, or afraid they won’t like it?
How much do you enjoy reading aloud the stories you have written?