Tag #editing

Nyssa’s Nuggets

aimeredleaf, The Narrative Gardener Leave a comment

“If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.”

Four-way play 😍

Two and a half months have passed since Cedar and Wicket came into our lives. From watching all of their interactions, I would say that collectively they are all now a family pack. Both puppies have fit into the routines and daily flow of the household.

It did take Nyssa and Dash some time to accept the two young ones, though. And I expected that. However, her manner for accepting them was very different. Cedar kind of forced his way down her throat by throwing himself in front of her constantly and kissing her whenever he could. She gets annoyed and he flops in front of her submissively and they play.

It took Nyssa a long time, until last week or so, to give any individual attention to Wicket, though. I was starting to get nervous even, but then she gave him her “nibble treatment” for a while and they played tug and all has been well since. I guess she figured Wicket isn’t going anywhere, and he is sweet and fun, so why not. Dash already plays with him, she may as well, too.

Her decision to accept and integrate, and this time of year when many association memberships come due put me in mind of the benefits of these organizations.

I’ve seen several queries on social media channels about whether the professional editors associations are worth joining. What are the benefits? Is the cost justifiable?

In my opinion, yes, they are.

I am a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) and several others. Last year I took a full complement of editing courses from the EFA at discounted rates, which balanced the membership fee. Not to mention those courses were all taught by EFA members who are highly respected editors themselves. I enjoyed every one of them and was grateful for the connections I made with experienced editors. Their feedback was insightful, instructive, and helped me be more confident in my work. I highly recommend the EFA courses if you want editing instruction.

The communities these associations give you the opportunity to be a part of is also a huge resource. Most of them have Facebook groups, both public and private, and the amount of information shared in these forums is astounding. Peer-driven support can be so important for this industry, given that so many of us are working from home, much of the time in solitude. Having a group at the ready to answer questions and bounce sticky bits off of is invaluable. I’ve learned a metric ton just by lurking and following along!

For new editors like myself, it also gives us the space to integrate slowly, to get up to speed at a pace we are comfortable with. Introverts, (like me), certainly appreciate this.

Once again, Nyssa is right. Might as well join and have fun (and learn), than resist and be left without support when it may highly benefit you. If you can join some associations, I say do it. Be part of the community. #editorsjustwannahelp

Have a great week! Woof woof roooooo! 🐕‍🦺

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Reblog— What to Expect from an Editor — Writer Unboxed

aimeredleaf, The Narrative Gardener Leave a comment

I see this topic come up in conversation in online writing groups constantly. This Writer Unboxed episode provides a solid idea of what to expect from an editor and why we aren’t to be feared. Editors have a genuine desire to help authors improve their craft and see their creativity shine. Many of us are writers too, we understand the discomfort involved, and trust me, we don’t want to perpetuate it in someone else! ~

Letting other people—even those close to you—read your novel for the first time can be stressful. You’ll wonder if they’re going to judge you, if they’ll recognize themselves in there, or if you really want your mother to know that you know about these things. But after the first few times, you get used to…

What to Expect from an Editor — Writer Unboxed

One difference I would note is that where Mr. Dempsey talks about the notations and comments made in “…copy editing and proof reading” stages, at Quill & Orb Press those notations would be part of my line editing and copy editing services.

If you would like to learn more about Quill & Orb Press editing, please visit me here. Enjoy your day!~

Nyssa’s Nuggets

aimeredleaf, The Narrative Gardener Leave a comment

“Wake up to the promise of a brand new day wagging your tail and smiling.”

Nyssa’s happy grin

In light of #HappyNew Year2021, today’s nugget is more of a reminder, or a bit of positivity to start 2021 off right. 😉🎆🎇

I’ve mentioned before that Nyssa has impeccable timing in the morning. She is the best kind of alarm clock—a gentle nudge with a cool nose, followed by a big Akita kiss. When I turn to look at her, I can’t miss her wildly wagging curled tail. It is the ultimate show of happiness and enthusiasm.

Nyssa is never happier than when she has my undivided attention. Her iconic Akita tail and contented smile speak volumes. I know how lucky I am to see this display of happiness every morning.

Dogs have the ability to forget and start over at any point, which is not to say they don’t remember or hold grudges (because Nyssa certainly does). But 98% of the time, they choose not to take that path. Spend enough time with dogs and you learn that each moment is an opportunity to start over and be better. I think it goes hand-in-hand with their unconditional love; the root of it even.

If her human is having a “wrong side of the bed” morning, Nyssa rarely indulges me. Instead she trots on ahead on our early morning walk, leaving me in my own mess. Often it is her easy joviality and curly tail bouncing on her back that jolts me back to reason.

This is a brand new day, all of it is ahead of me. Why am I cross? Anything could happen today and I have the ability to make it the best day I can!

There is so much power in that thought.

Have you ever tried thinking about it that way? It automatically brings a smile to my face when I do. Try it sometime.

I believe Nyssa knows this in her own way. It’s part of her open-mouthed grin every morning as my furry alarm clock. She can’t wait to share another day with her people and dog-siblings, take walks, eat the best food, lounge in the grass or play in the snow, and nap on the couch. And along the way, she does her best to make me smile and appreciate the moment.

There’s always a choice how to spend your energy, and Nyssa and my other dogs constantly remind me that the next minute, or this new day can be the best yet.

So welcome 2021, I greet you with a smile and a tail wag. Let’s make you the best possible. Good Morning 🌄🤩.

Have a great week! Woof woof roooooo! 🐕‍🦺

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Nyssa’s Nuggets

aimeredleaf, The Narrative Gardener Leave a comment

“I just don’t realize how big I am.”

new puppy Cedar and Nyssa

Well, I’ve gone and done it—disrupted Nyssa’s world. I brought home a puppy, and am expecting another one to arrive any day now. She was integral to raising Dash in our family and I believe she will be with these two as well. If there is one thing I have to keep a close eye on though, it is how rough Nyssa can be with puppies.

She is genuinely trying to play, she just doesn’t realize that one swipe of her big foot is enough to send them tumbling and me cringing.

It just means that for quite a while we have policed outdoor sessions when the puppy zoomies start. When I express my displeasure to her, she looks at me like “But, I am just playing!” Gentle is in her nature, but not in her physical repertoire so much. She doesn’t realize how big she is.

In editing or critiquing, this is a concept we must always be cognizant of. It is easy to grasp, but not as easy to apply to the language of our commentary. It is truly one of the most challenging parts of editing—how to convey our concerns, questions, critiques in a manner that is able to be understood by the author, but that does not offend or put them off.

In other words, being gentle with our authors.

I approach this facet of editing from the angle of “How would I receive this if I were the author?” Of course, I do want to make sure they understand my points, and that my suggestions are designed to improve and enhance. The language used to present them is the most important part of the exchange.

I spend much time composing comments and editorial letters that do not discourage; turning the shortcomings of a piece into opportunities to challenge their creativity, to draw out the threads from the depth of the story in the author’s head, and to construct scenes from an alternate POV to strengthen them (to name a few specifics).

Just because I’m being paid to offer my professional observations does not mean they should be presented devoid of empathy, in a manner that provokes strong emotions.

In no way am I saying that editors in general don’t do this. I know that they do. But watching Nyssa play with a much smaller, floppy puppy is a reminder that the objective can always be attained in a much gentler manner, and it should be.

Authors are as full of the “soft bones” of their stories as little Cedar the Aussie puppy is here. We want to make them feel safe in our zone of interaction, and then watch the collaboration take shape.

Have a great week! Woof woof roooooo! 🐕‍🦺~

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Nyssa’s Nuggets

aimeredleaf, The Narrative Gardener Leave a comment

“Let everyone know where they stand upfront.”

Nyssa and her mentor/buddy Pebbles, a red Siberian husky

At the moment I have two dogs, (Nyssa and Dash), but several times a month we have Pebbles also when she is staying upstairs with my brother and nephew. Pebbles is two years older than Nyssa and helped to raise her, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that now.

As the photo indicates, Nyssa is the boss here. And she makes sure Pebbles knows it from the very first moment she comes through the door. There is no aggression, Nyssa just mutters at Pebbles for a second, wags her tail, and then guides Pebbles quickly past the bone pile while I pick them up. Then they are off to the yard to hang out and chase Dash around.

Nyssa and Pebbles have a long relationship, yet Nyssa communicates her position to Pebbles upfront, every time.

In editing terms, communication from the start of the author-editor relationship is crucial. The more open the dialogue, the smoother the process can proceed.

Good, open communication can often mean the results are better as well. Working together toward the common goal promises an improved manuscript as the outcome.

That said, the success begins during the interview process with honesty on both sides.

Sure, the editor may really want the job, but that shouldn’t cloud their assessment of whether they are a good fit for the manuscript.

Conversely, an editor may have come highly recommended by a friend who writes thrillers, but that does not mean their editing style will mesh with your fantasy novel.

We are often told to play to our strengths—that can be obvious. However, the real magic may happen when we are familiar with our weaknesses and we partner with someone who understands them.

And that is all about communication. From minute one.

Once it is established, though, that communication is easy to return to whenever necessary, and often deepens over time. Like Nyssa and Pebbles, they renew the respect in a few seconds and then its just like they were never apart.

Why bicker over a silly bone pile when there’s a Dash to chase? Come on, Pebbles says. Whatever, let’s just go. 😉

Have a great week! Woof woof rooooooo!🐕‍🦺

Like this post, I value communication and collaboration during the editing process. Want to know if I can help you on your publishing journey? Visit the Quill & Orb Press website for more information.

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Nyssa’s Nuggets

aimeredleaf, The Narrative Gardener Leave a comment

“Nap while you can.”

We all know dogs are great sleepers, and Nyssa is no exception. I marvel at her sense of time. She wakes me up faithfully every day at the same time and she has an “off” button in the evening. During the day, she keeps an eye on me and my movements and when I’m working, she sacks out. She is always well-rested and ready to go when the time is right. 

I know many freelancers and editors who would like to be that way—well-rested. But somewhere in the recesses of our minds, we know the importance of getting enough rest and taking care of ourselves, especially during times of change and uncertainty. 

I often want to burn the candle at both ends and stay up late reading for pleasure, or just finishing one more edit, but the price I pay in the morning is usually not worth it. Then I usually see Nyssa, passed out on the couch, and my eyelids begin to slowly close as if on cue. Pay attention to your body—it knows. 

Be good to yourself. Nap when you can. 😊

Have a great week! Woof woof rooooooo!🐕‍🦺

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Nyssa’s Nuggets

aimeredleaf, The Narrative Gardener Leave a comment

“Be aware of your surroundings.”

Nyssa is always aware of what is going on around her, even when she is sleeping. Akitas are excellent guard dogs and she is no exception. She is also maddeningly NOSY—I call her Nosy Nyssa when we have to pause in our walk for her to watch the neighbor wheel his trash barrel to the end of his drive, or watch someone else back out of their garage. She also loves to follow and bark at my nephew when he walks down to the barn, EVERY time.

Though her being nosy means she often gets sidetracked by details, it also indicates that she takes in all that is in her vicinity and she sees the big picture around her.

Nyssa’s attention can be likened to the mindset I slip into when I’m working on a developmental edit.

It can be easy to get involved with the small details in a manuscript, but my awareness has to be about the larger elements of the story—character, pace, story arc, continuity, to name a few. Punctuation doesn’t really matter if the protagonist is a flat Mary-Sue that readers can’t care about.

The focus becomes which of these larger parts can benefit from some improvement and how that affects the other pieces of the narrative. If I suggest changes to one element, what other parts will the author need to work on to make those changes work, and what does that do to the overall story?

A developmental edit could be compared to a ball of yarn, but I think pieces of a larger picture or the layers of an onion are more accurate portrayals. The smaller parts make up the whole, and the whole is made of smaller parts. Right?

Like Nyssa, I may see the details, but ultimately I concentrate on the environment they are in to ensure it is the best it can be. Then the details usually fall into place for the author on their own.

Just like the neighbor who walks back up his driveway is of no consequence to Nyssa anymore. She understood the big picture, and the detail took care of itself.

Have a great week! Woof woof rooooooo! 🐕‍🦺

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Nyssa’s Nuggets

aimeredleaf, The Narrative Gardener Leave a comment

“Take advantage of the cool temperatures.”

Welcome to the first post of Nyssa’s Nuggets! For those who may not have read the intro post, Nyssa is my American Akita girl who I am honored to share my life with. She is loving, confident, brave, intelligent, and persistent. She teaches me little lessons each day.

Here she is, all 80 pounds of her fuzzy glory.

Being an Akita, Nyssa loves the cooler temperatures of early spring and fall, and especially winter. But the seasons without mud are especially conducive to open doors and lounging under the trees in the yard.

I take this advice of hers and do my best to spend some time in the yard with her. I bring some editing or reading work outside, sit in the lounge chair and enjoy the sun on my face. Usually, Nyssa will settle down in the vicinity, but always mindful of what I’m about.

The fresh air and sun is invigorating and I find a clear focus when I am outdoors. Changing the scenery is a great tactic to finish up a task, or complete editing an article. Then I put the work away and she is right there to amble around the yard, or chase Dash while he plays fetch.

Not all interruptions have to be negative, especially furry ones that remind us to take a desk break and get some air. Fall (here in New England) is the perfect time for working outside, cause you know what comes next… Snow (eeek!)

Have a great week! Woof woof roooooo! * 🐕‍🦺

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*This is an Akita howl 😉

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