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And as each day passed, the empty space on the eastern side of the house, reminded me of the empty pages waiting to be filled upstairs on my lap-top. Yes, you guessed, I'm still working on my third book, but I needed inspiration and time and effort, much like the man of the house who had to work out how to get power and water reconnected to the kitchen, minus tradies. Suddenly, he too had a reason to lie awake at night, unable to sleep.
You see, the installation of the new kitchen has been a bit like writing a book - difficult for many reasons - and full of steps, and processes, and technical issues that require expertise and care. And the similarities don't stop there...You start with an empty space and design the layout, much like developing a story. You build drawers and cupboards, like creating chapter summaries. You place cupboards on the floor and balance them against those wall-hung, and add doors and shelves and handles, like creating dialogue and scenes and sub-plots.
If you've got a great story to tell, something gnawing away inside, remember to think about editing first, middle and last. Some of the books I read and review are written by indie authors, and mostly I'm disappointed when I dip inside because the editing is badly done. Either the writers themselves have done the editing or they've used family and friends to do a bad job. The best investment you can make in your writing is paying a professional editor because without one, your book will look amateurish, sales will be slow, reviews harsh, and your hard work will remain unrewarded. But that, of course, is your choice to make.
Over the past few years I've used several editors, but Cate Hogan has proved to be the best. While some editors polish copy and grammar, Cate is a developmental editor, first and foremost, and she specialises in creative strategy by strengthening the heart of the story, the characters, the style and plot. Now, just because you're new to writing and publishing, don't think you don't deserve her input. She's sensitive to newbies, tough on vagabonds, and daring with adventurers, so no matter what your age or experience, you're sure to get what you need.
Check out her website www.catehogan.com. She offers a full range of editorial services and pricing incentives that will save you time and sweat. Starting at the beginning, an introductory edit of your story's opening hook will help you craft your story, so be bold, believe in your writing, and contact her today. Run the Gauntlet is a free monthly programme in which she offers some lucky writer a free development edit of their opening scenes. Feedback is recorded in real time, on screen, and posted publicly, so others can benefit from the exercise too. However, if you'd rather not go public, you can still have the experience at 50% discount. Yes, I know, it sounds too good to be true! But here, you're mistaken, because some editors really do strive to do their best to help us achieve our best, and, as I well know, the scariest thing for a writer is to hand over one's work for critique, so this step is often the hardest.
Cate has worked with hundreds of writers, both indie authors and traditionally published, helping them achieve acclaim as international best sellers. So, whatever your genre, age or experience, make the decision to invest in an editor. Budget for it! Forget that gorgeous pair of new boots, that aged bottle of whiskey, that extra weekend of exotic adventure (in New Zealand where bungy jumping is waiting to scare you). And dare to spend those carefully saved dollars on your writing instead.
In hindsight, I wish I'd listened to Cate when she suggested I use a professional graphic artist for the front cover of REPARATION because many readers choose a book by the front cover. Truth is, I didn't think I was good enough to warrant a professional cover, so, one day in the middle of winter, I slipped into a sun dress, and headed to Milford Beach, pretending it was 25degC.
I kind of think a front cover is like a kitchen bench, and my new bench has been made in the factory, by the professionals. |
