Finding a Helpful Editor

I have worked with a few beta readers and editors over the past year or so and I finally found an editor I especially like. She advertises her work on Fiverr.com.

Reasons I like my editor:

1. She's gently honest. Revising a manuscript over and over is hard work and, when I've spent so much time word-smithing and painstakingly laboring to make descriptions and phrases more poetic, it can be painful to hear that such works of art should be cut out of a story. I've worked with editors and beta readers who are brutally honest and they've helped me cut characters, slash unnecessary scenes, delete dialogue, stomp out filler and filter words, crush out chapters, eliminate overused or cliche phrases, etc. However, harshness is criticism, while gentle, kind words are a critique. There's a difference. If you're a writer, be kind to yourself and find an editor who's honest and forthright, yet kind, gentle, and encouraging so you're motivated and uplifted as you push through the hard work of making revisions.

2. She's communicative. I love receiving questions and suggestions from my editor as she's reading through my manuscript. It shows me that she's really paying attention to detail and trying to understand me as a writer. She also communicates in advance when she might be a day or two late in completing her work for me.

3. She's humble. My editor doesn't pretend to know everything there is about writing. Maybe she does, but she makes kind, humble suggestions and recommendations, rather than annoying me with off-putting arrogance.

4. She makes thoughtful suggestions. She doesn't just tell me what's wrong with my writing, but rewords phrases or recommends that I look at a certain other author's way of writing something similar. Super helpful.

5. She's likeminded. We may not think exactly alike, but she has a similar worldview and sees things from something close to my vantage point. Of course, if I"m writing a story with characters who are vastly different from myself and my experience, I'll want to consult with someone outside my worldview and sphere but, for the most part, likemindedness is helpful in getting revisions made more quickly and easily, because we understand each other.

6. She's a cheerleader. All artists need encouragement and when my editor lets me know how much she likes my writing and my work, how I'm improving, and how she knows I can get the job done well enough to impress a publisher, it makes me more open to listening to her suggestions. (Again, kindness goes a long way.)

7. She too is a fiction writer. This makes my editor more sympathetic, putting herself in my shoes. She makes me feel understood.

BUT, did any of my beta readers, editors, proofreaders, etc. help me to get published? Nope. I'm working on my recent "brain wave" to see if my new path will lead to publication, though, so I'll keep you posted.