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| Marianne Evans |
en·cour·age·ment
noun
- The action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope. Synonyms: heartening, cheering up, inspiration, motivation, fortification
- Persuasion to do or to
continue to do something.
- The act of trying to
stimulate the development of an activity, state or belief.
There are any number of wonderful people in my life who offer
encouragement, a pat on the back, or a swift shove to the shoulder, if
necessary, and yes, even critique is a form of encouragement.
Sure, it may not feel that way, but let me repeat: Critique is a
form of encouragement.
Let’s take editing as an example. I was recently asked to
contribute my thoughts to an article my publisher was creating on the topic of
dealing with edits. I had to think about that for a moment, because first and
foremost, I’m the overly-sensitive type. Oh, it’s not that I think my writing
is so superlative and flawless that, excuse me, no edits could possibly be
required. Just the opposite. I’m actually a bundle of insecurity, wondering if,
with this particular book/round of edits, my publisher is finally catching on
to the fact that I’m not really a very good writer and that I might want to
just move along.
Therefore, when I get edits, my instinct is to cringe, to look
at each change as a failure on my part to make my story excellent. Boy, have I
been forced to change my tune. In the course of releasing a good number of
books over the last few years, I’ve gone through a lot of editing—some light,
some heavy. With each submission I find myself leaning on my publisher’s
mantra: ‘If this wasn’t a great story, we wouldn’t have contracted it.’
For me, there are three components to the editing process: mutual
trust, mutual faith, and mutual support. I have to trust that my editor has the
best interests of my book at heart. My editor has to trust me to deliver a publishable
story. I have to have faith that my editor’s skill is going to make my book
shine. She’s on my side. In turn, my editor has to have faith that I am ready
and able to perform any story/character changes that happen along the way. Via
mutual support and open communication, my editor and I should both know, when
we reach ‘The End’ we have come together to create something great.
The next time edits have you bugged, I hope this advice comes in
handy. It also helps me to remember that the author/editor relationship is
about being a team. Build that
relationship, and success will come!
CLICK TO TWEET!
~~~~~
Marianne Evans is an
award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread
the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to
create. Devotion, earned the Bookseller’s Best Award as well as the Heart of Excellence
Award. Hearts Communion earned a win for Best Romance from the Christian Small
Publisher's Association. Finding Home won the Selah award for Best Novella.
Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an active member of Romance
Writers of America, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served
two terms as President.
~~~~~
Pyper knows of
Chase’s reputation, so despite a rampant attraction to the handsome and
talented icon, she soundly dismisses his romantic overtures. Decades ago, her
father, in a drunken rage, tossed her and her mother onto the streets. No way
will Pyper make the mistake of falling for a man whose done battle with the
bottle.
What happens when
Chase’s quest to win Pyper’s love breaks down chains of resentment and eases
the long buried wounds of her childhood? And what happens when Pypers father
shows up in Nashville, clean, sober and seeking a chance to apologize?
Can Pyper
follow a pathway to peace when it comes to her father? Can she fully trust
Chase? Above all, can a sin damaged past be released in favor of forgiveness?
Releasing 11/1/2016 ~
Available for pre-order now at Amazon.com in PRINT and E-BOOK formats
