Sunday 11 September 2011

Working with a copy editor.

Well, I found a copy editor. That bit wasn't difficult. They advertise in the back of writing magazines, pop up all over the Internet.

I chose to work with a big editing company in London. They are reputed to be constructive and highly professional. I found no negative reviews. And so I sent a sample, we agreed an estimated bill, and off went the tome.

Thumb-twiddling time? Not exactly - there are other projects on the go. A short story nagging me to edit it; a life writing competition that tempts me. But there is a corner of me still with Over the Hill. Is there a sense of story? Have I managed to describe the exhilaration of swimming in the Barrier Reef, or flying over Mount Cook? Should I ring her, ask her if I've overdone the discomforts of Nepal?

And then I make myself stop and think about why I can't, quite, let it go for a couple of weeks. What do I really want from this copy edit?

I want two things. I want her to find the mistakes, the wobbly grammar, the cumbersome sentences, those moments when I've followed an idea and become tedious. I expect the manuscript to come back covered in red marks, an ugly reminder of just how much work this still needs. She is professional and I expect her to be thorough.

And then I want her to like it. It is, of course, not her job to like it. Indeed, as long as she finds all the mistakes it doesn't really matter whether she likes it or not. But that doesn't stop me wanting her to like it, to make a brief comment about how working with my book was, well, entertaining, or fun, or - well, anything but boring. I have trusted her with something I've treasured for years, my precious efforts, my book.

Dissonance is never easy. But by recognising my all-too-human hope that she will like my work as well as improve it, it is easier to live with these waiting days. She will do her job. I'll get the report - and yes, I shall probably scan it for hints that she might have enjoyed this project - and then settle down to work with her recommendations.

Has anyone else worked with a copy editor? How did you negotiate this split between needing constructive criticism of your work and the gut-wrenching fear that she might cast judgements on your baby?

13 comments:

  1. I'll be interested in your thoughts when the work is done.

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  2. Sarah - I shall certainly be back with them.

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  3. I hear you. It' s kind of like going to a fortune teller. You want to know the future but you also want it to be great.

    Stobby

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  4. Stobby - yes, it's exactly like that! Difference here, I suppose, is that I'd never go to a fortune teller as I couldn't bear to be told anything truly dreadful - but if this book is truly dreadful then I must swallow my childlishness and listen.

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  5. Congratulations on the copy editor, but I haven't ever worked with one, so I can't really give you any advice on how to deal with waiting . . . sorry!

    But, I can give you a lovely award for being an awesome blogger! It's on my blog here. :D

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  6. I think it's great that you're prepared for the copy editor to do her job, and I understand that feeling of you wanting her to like it. I will be interested to hear what happens when she gets back to you.

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  7. Thanks for your support, Allie. I'll let you know how I get on.

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  8. My editor kicked my tail in gear and I learned so much from her. Good choice.

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  9. Hi Jo - I'm prepared for a kicking, though I don't have to like it, do I?

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  10. I haven't but I'm definitely thinking about it. I imgaine I'd feel pretty much the same way you do though.

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  11. Creepy Query Girl - I'll be blogging my reaction to it as well, so you'll be able to see how one writer manages it. Hope it helps.

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  12. I've never worked with a copy editor but I can understand how anxious you must be feeling. Hope it all goes well and my gut reaction, for what it's worth, is to resist contacting her until she's done. Good luck.

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  13. Thanks Rosalind. And I'm definitely not going to contact her, She has a job to do, and doesn't need me hassling her. I need to look after my feelings, and leave her to work on my book, Doesn't make it easy but that's how it is.

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