Editor Update: Having an editor has changed my perspective on my novel

Happy October everyone! It is the month of editing my novel!

So I got my editorial letter back critiquing my book! My editor liked my characters Elyon (my main character) plus Embre and Stellan. She said that she particularly like Stellan's character and felt like the slow-burn love between Elyon and Stellan felt real. YES!

She also said that the beginning and the ending was very strong. Considering I've spent the longest on both of those parts. This is a def win.

Then my editor shared concerns about my manuscript. One, I have a LARGE cast of characters, and although she said I did well with the introduction of them all, it got confusing and some characters were less memorable than others. She also expressed concern about Ariella, my second main character, as a character that needs work on.

Then she expressed concerns about the different magic abilities, my villains, and overall having a great lack of explanation about these different factors. Some things feel like they were added for the connivence of the characters/moment. Like even though the beginning of my story was strong, she felt like things worked out too easily for the character so that will need some improvement.

She also noticed my great foe of writing and that is... Switching past and present tense. For some reason I jump between the two tenses and it is my great weakness when it comes to writing.

Looking back at the 8 page letter makes my head spin a little bit. But I've been spending the past couple days letting the ideas simmer in my mind and I've already have had so many ideas!

The past couple of nights I haven't been able to sleep because suddenly ideas just pop into my head! I figured out more backstory that is currently lacking in the book (for one of my characters, she says she doesn't understand that character and the backstory would make EVERYTHING make sense.) I came up with the idea that between the two realms in my story there is a time difference, so one day in one realm, is nine days in the other.

This experience so far has really helped me give me the push and help I needed to improve my novel and take it to the next level!

So I have until all hallow's eve to complete all the edits necessary and send it back to my editor for the next round of edits! (Too bad I don't have an editor for my blog posts haha.) Getting all this done within a month will be challenging, (not to mention but I also have a day job and in college!) but I believe I can do it. All I need is some hardwork and determination.

Sometimes it's discouraging at times to think about all the things that I'm lacking with. I'm not doing well with my social media goals, especially with not posting as often as I like. Life is exhausting for me lately. But these are the times that I remind myself that I do what it takes to make my dreams happen. No one is perfect. Everyone had to start somewhere. I have to give myself credit that I am working on it. I am trying. I'm not just saying I am doing. And I am not alone in this. I pray everyday that the Lord will help me in this endeavor. To make wise decision and give me strength to grow stronger as a person. Amidst all of my dreams and goals, I cannot wait for the day I'll look back and smile knowing that even though this is hard, and it will take years before I might to see the fruits of my labors, it will be worth it. This is worth it.

For my business class they wanted us to make a vision board for our business and this was mine.

Until next time! ~Erin