Chelle Honiker - Indie Author Magazine: Featuring Kate Pickford Issue #4, August 2021--Focus on Editing

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Letters from The Exec utive Team

Get Over Yourself and Get Some Help

Chel le Honiker

O ne September about a decade ago, I learned of National Novel Writing Month, commonly known as NaNoWriMo. Many of us have attempted to write 50,000 words in a month during that challenge, and it remains a popular and useful event. When I finally won after several failed attempts, I was thrilled, and more than a littl e stunned.

And then came the inevitable question, what do I do now?

Short answer: I did nothing. I was too embarrassed to read those words again. I lacked the confidence to face them and wrangle them into something better. And I didnt know where to begin or w ho to ask.

And so they went into a drawer. As did the winning manuscripts for the next few years.

Five years ago I joined the local Austin, Texas, group of NaNoWriMo participants. This chapter was a unicorn among chapters, and the MLs (Municipal Liaisons) went well above the basic cheerleading to get you 1667 words every day. They held seminars to help writers think beyond November and help you understand it was possible to publish. They hosted silent retreats at picturesque local locations to inspire creativity, kept it fun with midnight costume parties to kick off the month with a bang, and kept writing groups going y ear round.

It was a very non-threatening way to ask my stupid questions. I learned what a developmental editor was. What a line editor did, and what a copy editor did not do. I learned that a first draft is a win for NaNoWriMo, but also the first of many steps to seeing your darling words come to life. I got over myself and found editors totake those embarrassing, horrible manuscripts and help me polish them into something I can be proud of an d publish.

Weve poured those lessons and many more into this months issue. For those experienced and published authors, youll learn how to improve how you work with your team. If youre just starting out and have yet to finish your draft, youll learn what mistakes to avoid.

No one journeys up the mountain of success alone. Every successful writer Ive met has a team, and many credit their editor(s) as being the key person who helped them the most.

Dig out those dusty manuscripts and dive into this months issue. Then find the editor you need to make t hem shine.

As the publisher of Indie Author Magazine, Chelle Honiker brings nearly three decades of startup, technology, training, and executive leadership experience to the role. Shes organized and curated multiple TEDx events. As a writer, speaker, and trainer she believes in the power of words and their ability to heal, inspire, incite, and motivate. As an avid world explorer, its said she could run a small country with just the contents of her backpack. Shed rather not put that to the test.

Editing is a Process That Many of us Lov e to Hate.

Al ice Briggs

I ve found that the right editor makes the process much more enjoyable and profitable. The right editor makes your words shine while keeping your voice. Mine makes me sound like me, but better! If youre looking for an editor, I recommend our advanced article this month, The Perfect Polish . Finding the editor thats right for you and what you write can be a process, so dont give up until you find the right fit.

Hearing criticism, no matter how important it is or correct it is, can still be difficult. Our MINDSET Check Up article will give you some great pointers to get back on track. I would add a caveat to remember that your writing is not all of who you are. Its a part of you, but you are still a valuable person of significance even if your manuscript comes back with lo ts of red.

Writing is an adventure. Adventures require course corrections along the way. Its part of blazing a new trail and exploring possibilities. Never forget how courageous your willingness to go off the beaten path is. You are amazingeven with a bit of red ink now and then.

As the creative director of Indie Author Magazine, Alice Briggs utilizes her more than three decades of artistic exploration and expression, business startup adventures, and leadership skills. A serial entrepreneur, she has started several successful businesses. She brings her experience in creative direction, magazine layout and design, and graphic design in and outside of the indie author community to her role. With a masters of science in Occupational Therapy, she has a broad skill set and uses it to assist others in achieving their desired goals. As a writer, teacher, healer, and artist, she loves to see people accomplish all they desire. Shes excited to see how IAM will encourage many authors to succeed in whatever way they choose. She hopes to meet many of you in various places around the world once her passport is ba ck in use.

Making Your S tory Shine

R obyn Sarty

E diting can be a daunting part of the writing process. Whether a critique partner, beta readers, or an editor, its the first time eyes other than yours are seeing your story. Knowing what kind of editor you need and how to find one can be overwhelming. But the process becomes a lot easier once you have a better understanding of it, and I hope this months issue will help with that.