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Summer School for Writers

This week I'm introducing a monthly summer column that will be written by Rose Ciccarelli of Rosebud Communications. When I finally decided I needed a professional editor for my books, a good friend (thanks Connie) introduced me to Rose. It's scary to hand over your baby a/k/a book to a stranger and give them permission to whack away at it. There's also a sense of relief that someone who doesn't love you (your adoring fans - family  and friends), will give you an honest evaluation.

Rose will be addressing topics on why you need an editor, dialogue, and character development in June, July, and August. I have to say that working with an editor has made me a better writer. She's pointed out my bad habits (still working on them), patiently points out cliches, repetitive language, and other writing pitfalls. Rose also tells me when a chapter needs to disappear or a character needs more development or somehow the character's name changed. Yikes!

As an indie author, it's vital to have a professional editor before you publish. Those who edit and proofread their own books have the same problem as the lawyer who represents him or herself. While writing is a solitary pursuit, the product needs a team with many pairs of eyes going over the manuscript. I am blessed with a group of great friends who willingly give up their time to read my stuff. Competition is tremendous in the book industry. Indie writers are everywhere and readers are leery of putting out their plastic for the unknown author. If we ever expect to compete in the marketplace, the books we produce need to be professional and polished.

Of course, you can make your book free, but that won't produce the desired results if you hand out a book ridden with typos, bad grammar, and a weak story. I've downloaded a few of them, and I certainly won't download anymore by those authors. The distractions of a poorly edited book only irritated me. If you really believe your book is ready for the public, then it's worth the investment of money and time for it to be properly vetted. It doesn't need to cost you a fortune either. You'll find reasonable editing and proofreading resources at my website.

So, you're invited to join me on Fridays throughout the summer for helpful columns geared for writers of all sorts. Writing is a craft--an art that only improves with practice, practice, practice. I hope you enjoy our summer school. Welcome to Rose's Red Pen.




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