It's Time for a Giveaway Hop!

Ah ... it's fall. Time for leaves to crunch under our feet as we walk. Time for sweaters. Time for the smell of wood-burning stoves. Time to think about all the things we're thankful for.

I don't know about you, but I'm thankful for books!

Join me and I Am a Reader, Not a Writer for the Thankful for Books Giveaway Hop this coming November 8th - 13th!  You can sign up below. Hop Rules: You must host a giveaway for something an author, reader, or blogger would enjoy. Only 1 mandatory entry, all others must be optional. Only "Family Friendly" blogs & giveaways. If you have not participated in one of I Am a Reader, Not a Writer's giveaway hops recently, please be sure you have reviewed the Giveaway Hop Rules prior to signing up.

Finding a Good Editor

Yesterday, I blogged about how to work with an editor. Today, I'm blogging about how to look for - and find - a good editor. Perhaps I went about that backwards.

As a note of explanation, yesterday's post was applicable to every author, whether they are self-published or traditionally published. Today's post will be most beneficial to authors who either self-publish or are looking for a freelance editor to help them prepare to submit traditionally - once you sign with a publishing company, they will assign an editor to you, so you will not need to search for one.

So, let us begin. You've finished your manuscript and you've sent it through some trusted readers. You've incorporated their feedback, and you are ready to send it to an editor. How should you go about this? What should you avoid?

There are some fantastic editors out there, some pretty good editors out there, and some (quite frankly) frightening editors out there. About ten of my clients were badly burned by their editors, came hunting for help in desperation, found me (makes it sound like they had to be desperate to end up choosing me ...) and sent me the manuscript after their editor had worked it over. In each of these cases, I have been appalled at the kinds of mistakes left in the manuscript. No editor worthy of the title would ever have left a manuscript in that condition. So it is with that in mind that  I write this blog today - to help you avoid that kind of frustration.

How do you find an editor?

You can go on Google and do a search for freelance editors, but word of mouth always has been and always will be the best way to find a good or a service. People love to talk about their good experiences and their bad. Ask your author friends who they use and recommend. Ask them who they do not recommend. And after they have given you a name or two, ask them the following things:

1. Did the editor treat them well?

2. Did the editor charge them a fair price?

3. Did the editor turn the job around when promised?

4. Did they deliver the kind of edit they promised?

5. Did the editor make any mistakes in the edit, and if so, were they apologetic, or did they get defensive about it?

6. Did the editor explain things clearly? Were they open to questions, and did they answer them respectfully?

7.  If they could change one thing about their editor, what would they change?

After you've spoken with your friend and you feel good about the answers they gave, visit that editor's website and find out the following things:

1. Have they posted a list of books they edited? Are you familiar with any of their previous work? Note - some brand-new editors are awesome, so if they don't have a huge list of titles, that's not necessarily a bad sign.

2. Are their rates compatible with what you can afford, and are they reasonable? (Reasonable: $1.00 a page is not unheard of for a new editor, while $3.00 is pretty typical for a seasoned editor. The amount of work that will go into the edit also comes into play - some editors charge a little more if the edit will be complex.)

3. Do they offer a sample of their work? Many editors will do a few pages for free, or will do twenty pages for a reasonable fee. This gives you the chance to see if you like their style, but it also gives them the chance to see if they like working with you.

4. Do they work with your genre? This is key - don't waste your time querying an editor who doesn't even work with the genre you write, or who doesn't do the type of edit you need. 

If you still like what you see, contact that editor and ask them any other questions that might have risen to the surface. These might include:

1. How long does an edit usually take?

2. Do you ask for money down?

3. How long do I have to pay my bill? What methods of payment do you accept?

4. What system do you have in place just in case one of us is unhappy with the arrangement? (The author should be happy with the editor, but the editor should also be happy with the author.)

5. When is your next available slot?

6. What format should I use when sending my manuscript?

Some of these questions might be answered on the editor's website, but feel free to ask any others that might be important to you.

You may find the most awesome editor right off the bat and fall madly in love with them and never leave them, or you may find that search to be a little more tricky. To help weed out the editors who will not be as beneficial to you, I suggest:

1. Take them up on that free sample, if offered. If they don't offer one, be gutsy and ask. Say, "My friend (insert friend's name here) recommended you, and I'd like to see if our styles are compatible. Would you do a three-page free sample for me?" If they give you lip, they probably aren't the editor for you anyway. If you don't care for their style from those three pages, you can thank them for their time and be under no obligation to hire them.

2. If you get a sample back and it just doesn't seem right to you, ask another editor for a sample, and send in the same segment. Then compare the two. Of course they'll each point out different things when it comes to the subjective parts of editing, but they should both find the same typos, etc. If you find that the first sample doesn't match the second and is missing several important corrections (or the second sample doesn't match the first), that will tell you who is going to be the more thorough editor.

3. Google the name of the editor and see who might have posted positive or negative comments about them online.

4. Make sure you have an out if the editor didn't come with enough recommendations to make you feel comfortable. Start with a fifty-page edit, and if you like what you see, finish it out. Any time you have doubt, start with a partial. You don't want to get halfway through an edit, decide you can't stand each other, still have money owing on one side or work owed on the other, and create a really awkward parting of the ways.

This needs to go two ways. If the author can't work with the editor, or if the editor can't work with the author, either one of them should have the option to pull out. But discuss this before you begin any work. Know what the parameters are for that type of situation.

Now, I'm probably making this all sound a lot more complicated than it really has to be. Most authors get referrals from their friends, they trust that editor, they work well together, and they don't have any issues whatsoever. But we don't all have author friends with great editors, or maybe that editor is booked and we need to find someone else. These tips will hopefully help you to narrow down what you need and aid in the search for that editor you will love to work with for years to come.

How to Work with an Editor

Note: This blog is a companion piece to an article I'll be posting tomorrow on how to find an editor.

How to Work with an Editor

Believe me, I know how you feel. You've written a book, it's taken you months/years/decades, you have large chunks of it memorized because you've gone over it so many times, and when you look at it, you see a big pile of blood, sweat, and tears.

It represents all the nights you went without sleep, all the television shows you gave up, all the nights out with friends you missed, the stomachaches you got . . . you have given your all to this book, and now it's time to turn it over to someone else. You're tense. You're nervous. You wonder what they're going to say. You are, understandably, on pins and needles, and yes, you've got your barriers up a bit. You don't want to get hurt, and so you go into the edit with caution. Again, believe me, I know. I've been there.

I've also been on the editor's side of the table. Actually, quite a lot more than I have the author's side - I have written 14 published books, but I've edited a couple hundred books, so the ratio is a little lopsided there.

I'd like to share with you some things I've learned about the editor/author relationship from both sides. It's my hope to help you avoid some of the pitfalls that a lot of new authors (and myself) have encountered on their journeys.

1. The editor is not your enemy.

I have to tell you, I've had some clients approach me like they thought I was a lion, and that everything I said was geared specifically to hurt them. There was this one experience, a few years back ...

The editor's job is to take what you have created and help you make it better. That is the only thing on the editor's mind. They don't wake up in the morning, rub their hands together, and say, "How can I make my author miserable today?" You might feel wounded when they ask you to rewrite a sentence or to rework a character's motivation, but in the end, they are doing their best to help you look your best.

2. The editor is usually right.

If you have chosen a good editor (and again, we'll be discussing that tomorrow), he or she has done their research and they know what they're talking about. You can put a level of trust in them that they have looked up the answer to your particular question and they are leading you in the right direction. Good editors double-check when they have a question. They ask questions of other editors as need be. They keep Google and Merriam-Webster and Dictionary.com up on their computers so they can be sure that what they're giving you is their very best effort.

3. The editor is sometimes wrong.

Editors are humans, and humans make mistakes. There are times when your editor may make a correction that you know isn't right. The way to handle this is to talk to them respectfully and explain your point of view, including links to your source, if available. If you have a good working relationship with your editor, based on the respect you show each other, you will be able to discuss it professionally and come to an answer that works for both of you.

Whenever there's a disagreement, it's important for both sides to share their feelings. Again, this should be done professionally, with the understanding that neither side is trying to be hurtful.

If you know you're right, don't hesitate to make a stand. Most editors are professionals and they will listen to you without the need for an unpleasant "discussion." If you are proven wrong, be willing to concede the point.

4. It's personal to the author, but it's a job to the editor.

Editors take their jobs very seriously. They think about their authors, they'll fall asleep mulling over plots, they might be out grocery shopping and all of a sudden realize that they need to go back and tweak that one sentence. They care very much about what they do. However, at the end of the day, they don't have the depth of emotional attachment to the project that the author has.

The author knows that book inside and out. Like I mentioned above, it represents so much more to them than just the story on the page. They can look it at and say, "I remember the day I wrote that scene."

When an editor makes a cut in a scene that's very important to the author, it can feel like the author's throat has been cut instead. It's painful, especially when the author worked really hard on it. But keep in mind, the editor is making the suggestion based on what works for your story, and what works in the current market. Don't take it personally. Step back and think of it from a different perspective. Be willing to consider that maybe it does need to go.

5. Ask Questions If You Don't Understand

Your editor is there to help you, and if they make a comment you don't understand, ask them to clarify. If they aren't being clear, they aren't doing the best job for you. Don't feel stupid if you don't get what they mean - they might use specialized editing terms you don't know, or perhaps they are just approaching it from a different angle. Any time you are unsure what they are saying, ask for clarification. You should understand their viewpoint on every aspect of the edit.

6. You Are the Steward of Your Story

At the end of the day, this is your story. It's up to you to decide how it should go. The editor is there to help you make it even better, but it's your task to implement those changes. The trick is to understand what changes are absolutely crucial to make (I have had clients reject some very basic grammar and spelling changes ... um, don't do that) and what are, perhaps, more a matter of personal opinion. I urge you not to disregard good advice just because it's not what you were thinking. Weigh everything that is said to you carefully. Put ego to the side and be willing to see your book from a reader's perspective and from the market's perspective. At the same time, know what's most important to you and what you're willing to sacrifice and what you're not.

There are times when you will need to make a certain change in order to conform to what your publisher has asked. They might say to cut an entire scene that means a lot to you, or to revamp a plot line that is important to you. In a case like that, be willing to talk with them and see if you can compromise. Why do they want you to make the change, and can you arrive at a solution that will please both of you? Sometimes it's a matter of making the motivation more clear, or heightening the conflict, or making the scene less filler and more usable content. Talk it over.

The editor/author relationship is one of the most important you will form in the writing industry. Authors need editors. Editors need authors . . . kind of hard to be an editor without something to edit. When both parties approach their jobs with professionalism, with an attitude of teamwork, with the willingness to put ego aside to work toward the greater good (and what greater good is there but an awesome book for the world to read), it can be an unbeatable combination.

Come back tomorrow when I discuss how to find an editor and how to make sure they'll be a good fit for you.

Tristi's Take on Caffeine

With all the press the Mormons have been getting lately, and the recent television shows and documentaries, the question was raised about the restriction on caffeine in the faith. To clear up any misconceptions, the LDS Church made a statement - the Church does not have an official stance against caffeine.

This has led to a lot of spin-off articles all over the Internet, such as this one.

I've also heard people make the comment, "Hey, we can have caffeine after all!"

I'd like to share my story. It's a little bit long, but I promise, it does have a point. Get comfy - it will be worth it.

I was raised, like many Mormons, to believe that caffeine is against the Word of Wisdom. I never drank it growing up. I never had it at all until I was in my late teens.

Around that time, I started getting really, really bad headaches. We're talking, the kind that made me feel like my brain was having a charlie horse. I tried every kind of pain reliever out there. The only one that really worked was Aleve, but it left me feeling really weak. Someone suggested that I drink a Coke or Pepsi with my painkiller, and presto! The solution was reached!  Two ibuprofen and a can of Coke, and the pain went away. Later I would learn that the headaches were caused by corn. Funny that Coke helped, because Coke has corn in it, but I digress.

A few years ago, I started a job that required a lot of hours and dealing with a lot of stress.  My adrenals were shot. I've never had very strong ones, but whenever you undergo stress, your adrenals suffer, so I was doubly in trouble. I noticed that when I drank Coke for my headaches, I had energy and could focus, so I started drinking Coke to get myself going. It became my adrenaline replacement, and for a long time, I was functional again.

My Coke of choice was Cherry Coke, and it wasn't long before I'd drink some as soon as I woke up so I could wake up, I'd drink it all day so I could stay awake, and then I'd drink it at night so I could finish up my work. I was drinking about 3 liters a day.

It got to the point where I'd be thinking about Coke as soon as I opened my eyes in the morning. I'd even ask my husband to bring me some before I got out of bed just so I could get out of bed. My body had shut down to the point where I could not function without it.

This whole time, I was a little concerned. I don't like the idea of being dependent on something, but I couldn't function without the Coke. I'd go off it for a day and be absolutely worthless - couldn't think, couldn't work, couldn't do anything. I had come to the point where I thought I would never be able to exist without it.

Then I had an experience that scared the tar out of me.

I was doing book signings at Costco. This was actually a year ago - almost to the day, for that matter. I had my Coke cup there with me, as always, and I was doing my thing - talking to people, handing out bookmarks, etc.

I started getting sweaty, although my face was cold. My heart was racing a million miles an hour, I was getting lightheaded, I started to tremble - I felt like crap, for lack of a more refined word. I called my husband, and he came over to the store. I told him how I felt, and he informed me that he was taking me home. I didn't want to go - I had an obligation to the store - but he talked to the manager and we left. Then we went in to the doctor, where I was informed that I was on the brink of a heart attack.

At thirty-five years old.

My doctor was able to pull me out of it, but as he told me later, if he hadn't been able to, my next step would have been the emergency room.

And we had a very serious talk about caffeine.

I have a mild heart condition that I didn't know about. I've learned since then that many people have similar heart weaknesses that they don't know about until it causes a major problem. But my heart condition + overconsumption of caffeine = Tristi almost had a heart attack at age thirty-five.

I have not had any caffeine since. It was hard for me to give up my Cherry Coke. I still crave it sometimes. My headaches have mostly stopped because I've cleaned up my diet and I learned that was causing many of my problems. I still struggle with having enough energy, and when I feel that lag coming on, I really want my Coke. But this month marks my one-year anniversary since I went off, and I feel really good about that.

So, is caffeine included in the Word of Wisdom? Maybe not officially, but here's my take.

The Word of Wisdom is a code for health. The Lord wants to bless us by helping us have the most healthy bodies possible, and so He tells us how to achieve that. I've learned for myself that caffeine has some pretty negative side affects. It can make the consumer edgy, snappish, feel paranoia - among other things. It makes the prostate swell. (I've never experienced that for myself.) In my case, it set off a heart condition I didn't know I had. It's obvious that caffeine isn't good for the body, and definitely not for me personally. You can Google for lists upon lists of other negative side effects - there are quite a number of them. Caffeine might not be specifically banned by the Church, but if we want to be healthy and to be free of substances that control us and affect our behavior, we should avoid caffeine. Believe me - I felt controlled and my behavior was affected.

In addition, I believe that we each have what I call "our own personal Word of Wisdom." This is an addendum we should each add to the commandment for ourselves. The goal is to eat those things that are best for us and avoid those things that cause harm, right? Well, cabbage and corn give me really bad headaches, and so I include those on my own personal Word of Wisdom in the "things not to eat" category. If you're deathly allergic to walnuts, you shouldn't eat them, right? That becomes part of your own Word of Wisdom - if you're wise, you'll lay off the walnuts. Sure, it's not part of the official commandment, but we've been told that we shouldn't have to be commanded in all things - if we are, we're lazy and slothful servants. (D&C 58:42) If I have to wait for the prophet to tell me not to eat cabbage and corn before I'll stop eating them, well, that's just really sad.

To summarize - we don't have to wait for something to be officially included in the Word of Wisdom to come to an understanding that it's not good for us and to refrain from partaking of it. Whether or not caffeine is or is not included, it makes no difference to me. It hurts me, and so I'm not going to drink it anymore. I've been down that road, I've seen what it does to my body, my heart in particular, to my emotions, to my temper, to my outlook on life.

Some people have taken this statement by the Church as permission to drink it. That's a choice each person needs to make for themselves. It's not my place to tell you what you should do. All I know is that for myself, if I want to be healthy, I need to stay away from it as faithfully as if it were included in the Word of Wisdom, right along with corn and cabbage, right along with alcohol and cigarettes. It's not only called the Word of Wisdom because the Lord was sharing wise advice with us - we're expected to use some wisdom of our own as well.

Why Now?

My mom and I were talking this afternoon about a recent trend on the LDS market.

"Why are there so many books about women being published all at the same time?" she asked. "It seems like several have been released recently."

There are a few possible answers to this question. The first - market trends. The publishers look at what's selling well, and then they produce several things that fall along those lines.

Another answer - market holes. The publishers look to see what's available and then seek to fill holes where certain needs aren't being met, and it's possible that several publishers noticed a hole and are seeking to fill it.

Yet another answer, and the one I favor, is this: Never before has it been more important for women to understand their role in our Heavenly Father's plan. We've had several other movements in the past that have benefited women - obviously getting the right to vote, and Women's Lib, etc. Each of these moments in history have added up to create a much better world for women to live in - but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the need for women to come into their own spiritually, to know that their goodness and righteousness and integrity can and will shape the destiny of the world.

I believe that these books are all being written at this time because our Heavenly Father needs His daughters to understand who they are, and so He is sending His Spirit to whisper to the hearts of authors who want to help spread that message. I know that when I got the idea to write Women of Strength, I felt about it very strongly. I felt that my particular take on things might be useful to someone out there, that I might be able to help some woman somewhere understand that we are of tremendous worth in our Heavenly Father's eyes, that we are warriors in His battle.

We are seeing the world around us become more wicked and confused. We are seeing the lines become blurred until it's difficult to know where we stand. The Lord needs us to plant our feet firmly and to guide those around us to safety.

Marketing strategies aside, that's why I think so many books about women are being written right now - because it's time.

Reviews of Targets in Ties

The Deseret News

Book Review: Tres Leches Cupcakes by Josi S. Kilpack

Sadie Hoffmiller is still running from danger. A threat was made against her life a year ago, and it’s not safe for her to return home. Moving from place to place, hoping to keep her enemies from picking up her trail, Sadie moves in with Caro, her boyfriend Pete’s cousin, in Santa Fe. The Bureau of Land Management has asked her to follow up on some employees on an archaeological dig, so she has something to do to keep her mind off her troubles.

Digging in the dirt sounded like fun at first, but now she’s starting to wonder. She dislikes feeling grimy and sweaty all the time, but she does take satisfaction in finding remnants of past civilizations hidden in the dry New Mexican ground.

One day on the dig, two fresh bodies are discovered—well, fresher than the others they’ve found. And then Margot, one of the workers on the team, turns up missing. Sadie has to investigate—that’s what she does, after all—and before long, she’s in danger herself as those behind the murders realize she’s not who she says she is. What follows is a tale of danger, hot chocolate, red herrings, and hot air balloon rides at the world-famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.  

Tres Leches Cupcakes is the eighth volume in the Sadie Hoffmiller series, and it doesn’t appear that our intrepid little detective is losing steam. Her no-nonsense approach, her guts and determination, and her amazing recipes keep readers coming back for more. Perhaps what’s best of all is that these books take everything we love about mysteries and deliver us a story without gruesome details. We get dead bodies but without overt detail, we get romance but without bed scenes, and we get danger but without foul language. Readers know when they pick up a Sadie Hoffmiller mystery that they can trust the contents to entertain without offending.

My favorite part of this book is found in the last pages. Picture Sadie crawling along beneath a trailer home and popping up through a trapdoor into a closet, and then escaping the same way—that made me giggle. Leave it to Sadie to do things her own way each and every time.

There are other books yet to come in the series, so stay tuned for more as they are released. You will not be disappointed. 

Book Review: After Hello by Lisa Mangum

Seventeen-year-old Sarah has come to New York City for the first time in her life, accompanying her father on a business trip. They have a deal—she’ll wander around and take pictures while he’s in his meeting, and then they’ll have lunch together before heading home. Sarah is thrilled to be loose in the city, watching people, taking their pictures, soaking up an atmosphere completely different from what she’s used to back home. When her dad calls to say his meeting is going late and he can’t meet her for lunch, she’s not too disappointed—they’ll have dinner together, and in the meantime, she can continue to explore …and people watch.

One person in particular.

A young man caught her eye, or rather, her camera’s viewfinder. He’s wearing a hoodie with the name of her favorite band, and there’s something else about him too—something fascinating. She can’t explain what it is, but she follows him to see if she can figure it out. When they meet, she learns that his name is Sam, and he’s a finder. That’s his job—he locates things for people that they really want. He takes Sarah with him on one of his jobs and she finds herself with a job of her own—to find an amazing piece of artwork for a spoiled starlet, or suffer the consequences. Sarah rises up to the challenge and begins searching for this elusive decoration, and she and Sam begin their adventure together.

Along the way, they make discoveries about life, about family relationships and loyalty, and most importantly, about themselves.

Lisa Mangum is a beautiful writer. She has a way of putting words down on paper that is like a feast for the eye. Every sentence is carefully constructed, and even the most simple actions performed by the characters becomes something to study. As an author myself, I’m in awe of how she does this, and as a reader, I appreciate the time she puts into it. Lisa has worked for Deseret Book as an editor for years, and her knowledge and understanding of the craft are evident in her final product.

More than that, though, Lisa shows us that young adult literature can also be literary. I definitely would call this a literary novel for young adults, and I love that she’s done this—she has paired beautiful writing with an interesting teen storyline, and we aren’t relying on typical adolescent angst or racing hormones or dark plotlines to hold up the book. This isn’t to say that the book doesn’t address difficult topics—Sarah and her father must overcome some misunderstandings and relationship glitches along the way—but these things are handled realistically and respectfully, and I appreciated that.

I’m not a young adult anymore, but I loved this book. Then I handed it off to my teenage daughter, and she loved it as well. She said it was very original, and I agree.

The take-home message for me was that the human spirit is strong, but it needs nourishment to thrive. We can get that nourishment from friends, from family, from our passions and our hobbies, but then we turn all those nutrients into food for our spirits, which allows them to grow and develop and become all that they’re supposed to be. I’ve pondered on this and on the book itself several times since I finished reading it, and that’s the hallmark of a great book, in my opinion—when you can’t stop thinking about it. 

Well done, Lisa.

Purchase After Hello here.

Mikarose ... and Enter to Win!

A few weeks back when I attended LDSBA, I had the chance to meet with a representative from Mikarose, a company that specializes in modest, pretty dresses. I chatted with the company again a few days later, and they made me an amazing offer ... I can give away a $50 gift certificate to you, my blog readers!

First, let me tell you a little bit about Mikarose. From their website:

Mikarose is a clothing company that specializes in modest, elegant and fashionable dresses. Our company's idea evolved when the owners realized how difficult it was to find modest dresses in today's market. We are sure you have had similar experiences when looking for a modest dress. After many frustrating outings, we formed Mikarose. Our goal is to provide an extensive line of modest dresses, without having to sacrifice style. You will be able to wear our line to a broad range of functions: from everyday events to corporate parties. We hope to not only meet the needs of women looking for modest wear, but all those who are seeking elegant dresses.

When I was looking at their clothing, I was struck by how classy and beautiful their designs are. I see so many frumpy or immodest designs when I go shopping, and it was a relief to my eyes to look through their catalog.

We then had the chance to try out one of their dresses. This is my sixteen-year-old daughter, modeling the dress called Avery.

The dress is really high quality, I love the color on her, the shipping was amazingly fast, and it's modest. Hooray for modest!

When I asked my daughter what she thinks of the dress, she said, "I think it's extremely pretty. The belt is a little big for the belt loops on the dress, but I love the style and color. I feel pretty when I wear it."

So ... now you have a chance to get a dress from Mikarose too.  And it's easy! Just visit their website, here, and click the Facebook "like" button on the right side. Then look around the site and check out all their pretty things. Then come back here and leave a comment telling me that you "liked" the page and also telling me the name of your favorite item on the site. Next Friday night at midnight, that's September 7th, I will gather up all the entries and randomly select a winner. That winner will get a $50 gift certificate to spend at Mikarose!  (I do recommend ordering just a little larger than the size chart.)

And why are you still sitting there?  Go!  Go!