By no means is editing an easy task. Each book brings new challenges because every author is different, and each book is different. And as my husband can attest, sometimes I'm banging my head against my desk as I struggle to put just the right polish on someone else's story. Not because the writing is bad, but because I want to honor each author's voice, precisely the way it deserves to be honored.
Since the beginning of the year, I have been working non-stop on editing books, in addition to working a "normal" full-time job. No matter how well I plan, or schedule, I always feel under the gun; the pressure is always on, and some days I just want to be done so I can have a single moment for myself. I feel guilty if I take an evening off--less than four hours--because I had a really stressful day at work and I just want to watch a show, or something.
But after being away from it for over a week while I prepped for my first event and recovered from a misadventure down the stairs, I am ridiculously giddy sitting here working on my latest edit. Even though I know this is the beginning of another round of insanity, I am so freaking excited to be behind my desk editing.
(Yes, I do realize I can't be editing and writing this blog post at the same time, but really, it was just supposed to be a simple Facebook status, but then it morphed into a whole lot more I didn't know I needed to say.)
I have eighteen books either published, in process, or booked for editing. 18! That blows me away, especially since only two of the eighteen books published in 2013. And it's only April. Potentially, sixteen books will publish this year with my name listed as the editor. 16! I'm booking at least eight weeks out, and it's filling up fast. I had to create a new category on my editing schedule just to keep track of the samples I've committed to for potential new clients. I'm struggling to keep up with everything and maintain a balance between day-job (fixed hours), editing, and my husband. I can't remember the last time I made a real dinner for the two of us. Did you know you can live on popcorn and coffee? No, really. I've been doing it for weeks.
But here's the thing...I wouldn't change anything.
Not. One. Thing.
In all my life, I can honestly say I have never been so content, or satisfied, with my chosen profession. All the times in the past, when I thought I'd found it, I was just getting a taste of what was to come. Each time was a little closer, but nowhere near the real moment when I found it.
But after being away from it for over a week while I prepped for my first event and recovered from a misadventure down the stairs, I am ridiculously giddy sitting here working on my latest edit. Even though I know this is the beginning of another round of insanity, I am so freaking excited to be behind my desk editing.
(Yes, I do realize I can't be editing and writing this blog post at the same time, but really, it was just supposed to be a simple Facebook status, but then it morphed into a whole lot more I didn't know I needed to say.)
I have eighteen books either published, in process, or booked for editing. 18! That blows me away, especially since only two of the eighteen books published in 2013. And it's only April. Potentially, sixteen books will publish this year with my name listed as the editor. 16! I'm booking at least eight weeks out, and it's filling up fast. I had to create a new category on my editing schedule just to keep track of the samples I've committed to for potential new clients. I'm struggling to keep up with everything and maintain a balance between day-job (fixed hours), editing, and my husband. I can't remember the last time I made a real dinner for the two of us. Did you know you can live on popcorn and coffee? No, really. I've been doing it for weeks.
But here's the thing...I wouldn't change anything.
Not. One. Thing.
In all my life, I can honestly say I have never been so content, or satisfied, with my chosen profession. All the times in the past, when I thought I'd found it, I was just getting a taste of what was to come. Each time was a little closer, but nowhere near the real moment when I found it.
A fabric emergency and a fall down the stairs forced me to step away from the editing for seven days. For the first time since January 1, I did not edit for one whole week. And I missed it. Like seriously missed it. I was dang near twitching because I hadn't opened a manuscript in so long.
And as I sat down tonight to edit, I realized something really crucial to this whole endeavor: I have got to be doing what I'm meant to do, if I missed it so much while I was gone.
A lot of things in life are all about perspective. If you can just take a moment, step away, and look at the big picture, your perspective will change. You may discover you need to make a change because the return on your investment isn't on the good side of the ratio. Or you may discover what I did: Even though I'm working essentially two full time jobs; and even though my husband has had to eat cereal for dinner more nights than not; and even though I dream the solutions to the problem parts of the current book I'm editing; and even though I don't have time to watch all the prime time shows I used to watch; and even though most nights I can't come home from the day job and just zone out on the couch; even though I'm working harder than I ever have before...
I am doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing.
But more importantly, I'm doing exactly what I want to be doing.
And I figured all of this out simply because I missed it.
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