Editors Are Awesome

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We here in the Closet don't often give our editors the credit they deserve publicly, and that's something that I'm hoping to correct here, not only because I feel she deserves it, but also because I think that there are a few of you who might appreciate how her work has helped me.

See, I'm friends with one Angela Rasch (AKA Jill) here on the site, and for anything I've wanted to look half serious she's been my editor of choice for something like five years now. She's responsible for editing Dear John, and my published version of Josie's Con Stories (and etc.) and, with any luck, I'll be able to talk her into the same job for Phoenix Soars when I finish it, but none of those are the job I want to commend her for today.

A few of you might be aware of a story of mine I've got running on the site called Princess For Hire. I've been gearing up for putting it up on Amazon just like my other work, and as part of that I had shared both Book 1 and what I had for Book 2 with Angela to get her thoughts on them. I always know I can trust Angela to be honest with me about my work, and that's part of what I love about using her as my editor: she's never rude or cruel with what she says, but she IS honest, and won't hesitate to recommend a change or fix if it will improve the story, and that's what I want.

Book 2 of PFH is, obviously, not finished yet, and I was afraid that would put a damper on how much help she could give me. Oh, how wrong I was. Angela pointed something out to me that I hadn't even given the slightest bit of consideration, but it really is true, and as much as it might put a few people up in arms is a GOOD thing.

She pointed out that, with what I've already got down, I'm at a fine point to start wrapping the book up.

My mind was blown. Book 2 is barely over half-way through what I'd planned for it! Surely she can't be... but she was right. Including what I have finished that I haven't posted yet I'm only two to maybe three more parts away from having Princess For Hire completely finished.

And I hadn't even realized it.

You see, people, THIS is why editors are more than just a luxury, but a necessity. I had planned for a few more adventures and encounters for Beck before the end of the year, but looking at it now and thinking through it, it's all padding, every bit of it, and unnecessary. Another, maybe, 6k words and the story will have said everything it needs to, and I can get it up here for everyone to read to completion.

And you have Angela/Jill to thank for that.

Melanie E.

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