​The Queen of the Copyedits

Reviewing copyedits is one of my favorite parts of publishing a book.

The manuscript for my second book arrived via email yesterday with the copyedits for me to review. It makes me feel like a princess writer. Really. I get to go through the manuscript and accept or reject the changes suggested by the copyeditor.

It’s like sitting on my throne and using my scepter in judgment.

Kind of.

Not really. But I do feel pretty powerful.

When I’m Not Her came back last spring with its copyedits, I was horrified.
So much red. On every page. Wow, I am a horrible writer.

But as I got into the marks I realized that they weren’t changing my story, they were only making it clearer for the reader. Nora (my copyeditor) was making me sound so much better.

I love Nora.

I’ve never met her, but as I read her comments and corrections, I decided she was the BEST person in the world. Without Nora, my writing was crap
.
Okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but at the time all I could think was, “Thank God for Nora.”

I found myself talking to her as I worked. I feel like we are great friends. She’s been inside my mind and seem my most embarrassingly stupid mistakes. And yet she keeps going (yeah, she’s getting paid for this, but indulge me). She doesn’t give up on me or my writing. That’s my kind of friend.

And she’s brilliant. Obviously. (I like smart people.)

So when it was time for a copyeditor for Girls Weekend (my second book – I know, I know – crazy), I asked my publisher if Nora could do it again.

And today I’m sitting with the manuscript of Girls Weekend getting to know Nora all over again. And I’m in love once again. I can tell, after only one chapter, that this manuscript was a lot more work for her. Sorry, Nora.

Course one of the things I like about cleaning my house (when I actually clean it) is that my work is so necessary. The house is filthy and after I’ve scrubbed at a counter or a floor, the difference is remarkable. My work is justified and rewarding.

That’s probably how Nora felt as she edited Girls Weekend. Not that she told me. But I can tell.

​We’re great friends, me and Nora.

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