Kind Fiction Editing – part 3: Is my writing good enough?

Are you worried about handing over your manuscript? Do you think your writing might not be good enough? Are you concerned that an editor will judge you and your writing? Are you wondering, “Is my writing good enough?”

In this final part of a three-part series of blog posts about Kind Fiction Editing, I will be addressing some of the author concerns that have cropped up over the years.

If you haven’t already read them, you might like to see Kind Fiction Editing (part 1) – What is kind fiction editing? and Kind Fiction Editing (part 2) – Editing adapted to suit you

Q: Is my writing good enough?
A: Yes, always.

I work primarily with independent authors who are relatively new to their craft.

And many of them start their communications with me by saying they aren’t sure their writing is good enough. Or they are a bit embarrassed to share their manuscript with me. Or they are sure that it’s not as good as other manuscripts I have worked on.

As a writer, you might want to know: “Is my writing good enough?”

The short answer is, yes, always. You have invested so much of yourself, and that’s good enough for me.

The longer answer is as follows!

1. There is no judgement

Firstly, my job is not to judge. My job is to make a manuscript as good as it can possibly be. This means that there is absolutely no judgement. Instead, there are constructive, supportive suggestions. You have crafted a story. My job is to make the story sing.

Will your book be a globe-smashing best seller? Maybe yes, maybe no. But until you’ve had it edited, you will never know!

2. Your time and effort deserve reward

I am fully aware of how much work goes into a manuscript, be it 10,000 words or 100,000 words. The time, the effort, the energy, the emotion that has been invested in your manuscript means that it deserves the attention of an editor – an editor who will polish your manuscript, suggest improvements, and make it sparkle until it is the very best version of itself.

3. Feedback can be honest AND kind

When an editor undertakes editorial training, the training is twofold. Firstly, it covers the basics of what to look for when editing (grammar, punctuation, point of view, tight writing, etc.). And secondly, it covers how to communicate with authors. This means learning how to frame suggested edits in a constructive, supportive, helpful, non-judgemental way. It means understanding how to ask for clarity without being offensive or unkind. And for me, the single most important lesson that I hope to pass on to my children is to always be kind. Because kindness costs nothing. And manuscript feedback can be honest AND still be kind.

4. There IS a red pen, but feedback is framed sensitively.

When I am editing a manuscript, I make two types of suggestions. The first is where something is very obviously wrong – a speling mistkae, or punctu.ation that is clearly inaccurate. These changes I make directly to the text (using MS word track changes – see here Word Track Changes Guide for Authors| MandaWaller |).

The second set of suggestions comes by way of comments. These comments – although expressed in shorthand – are never judgemental. They are never of the “must try harder” variety. Here are some of my (genuine) comments from a recent edit of a fantasy manuscript:

“This sentence is a little clunky. It might be cleaner as…”

“This is beautifully written…”

“I’m a little concerned that your readers will be confused by this. It might be worth clarifying. How about…”

“I think that last time we met this character, they had blue eyes? Would you prefer them to have hazel eyes throughout? Either way, just let me know and I can fix this for you.”

“I love how you’ve told the reader she is a little lady, without actually stating this. Excellent.”

“Just a quick check – do you think this character would speak like this? It’s absolutely fine if you do, just most 10-year-olds wouldn’t speak in quite such a formal way.”

“This is an unconventional use of the word. I personally love it, but if you’d rather use a more conventional arrangement, then I’d suggest…”

5. Is my writing good enough? Absolutely. You’ve got to be in it to win it.

Why have you written your manuscript? Is it purely for yourself? Do you not want to share it with the world? Then of course you must keep it to yourself.

But would you like to publish it? Be able to call yourself a “published author”? You can self-publish, or you can send it off to a publishing house (if you are lucky enough to be accepted!), but either way, if you don’t show your manuscript to anyone, you will never know whether it could be the next blockbuster.

You really do have to be in it to win it!

No judgement. Only appreciation, respect and admiration.

In conclusion

I work with people who have written a story that is so personal to themselves that they feel embarrassed to share such intimacy with strangers. And I’m flattered that they feel safe with me.

I work with people who don’t speak English as their first language. And I am in awe of their ability to write a novel in their second (or third) language.

I work with people who have told me they are dyslexic. And I’m so impressed at their ability to overcome their barriers.

I work with people who are “just hobbyists” who have spent years (literally) writing at the weekend and after work, because they really believe in their stories. And regardless of whether they feel their stories are “good enough”, I relish the opportunity to help them improve their manuscripts.

I work with people who have quit their job to fulfil their life-long ambition to write a book. And I’m so happy that I can help them hone their craft.

However you feel about your writing ability, know that there will be no judgement from me. Only appreciation, respect and admiration.

Also see: Kind Fiction Editing (part 1) – What is kind fiction editing? and Kind Fiction Editing (part 2) – Editing adapted to suit you