a guest post from Barbara Barth
It’s the second most-offered piece of advice to writers: get an editor to read your work before you send it out. Well, here’s Barbara Barth’s take on that suggestion.
I’m shaking my head about this topic. I sent it in as one I’d be happy to write about and then I realized I don’t have anyone edit my own work. So, I’m going to tell you why I do what I do, but not necessarily suggest this is a good thing, just my thing. There are many professional articles on using editors if you Google it.
I’ve entered my books in several national contests and have placed as a finalist in a few. The comments I receive are always the same. Could have used an editor. My shortfall is punctuation. Commas and I don’t get along. I like to write like I talk, and I rush ahead rarely catching my breath. When I read my work out loud and pause for a comma, it changes the cadence and I’m not happy with it.
I also like to own up to my mistakes. I’ve had a few folks look at my work, edit it, and it’s still wrong. At least if there is an error, hey, my fault and I can live with that.
I also feel my work is very personal and I’m not open to many changes. Too many opinions can alter the story you started out to tell.
My strong point at editing is continuity. Is everything in the correct sequence? Are my characters consistent? Nothing worse than putting the cart before the horse (cliché, I know). But I work to be sure everything takes place when it should. And that takes a lot of reading and rereading.
A friend of mine looked over this novella. And found the most embarrassing typo ever. I was so excited about the parrot on my book cover, I missed we had spelled Novella wrong. Had it with just one L (Novela). I posted the cover on Facebook with the error and received many compliments on the artwork, but no one noticed the typo. Except my friend who was hesitant to call and tell me. I promise I do take criticism well. My sister quickly fixed the problem, and I switched out photos on Facebook. Whew.
All that said, you want your book to be professional. Finding someone you trust to read your finished project is a good thing. You might want to even pay someone (a professional) to look at your work. Your story needs to read well, events in the order they should be in, characters consistent, and details accurate. When I read a book that is what pops out to me.
I don’t follow any particular style guide for my writing. I just write from the heart and hope for the best. The most important thing is to have a good story that will engage readers. Do what makes you comfortable with finding an editor, or not finding an editor. Just be sure when you are finished you have done the best job you can and are proud of your work.
You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.
The annual Sweet Water, Georgia, Christmas parade is nearing but relationships are fractured on Wild Rose Lane. Antique dealer Cheryl Calloway’s holiday spirit has tanked. It’s been a horrible year with her divorce, her ex marrying younger and perkier Miriam across the street, and Mama moving into Cheryl’s Victorian cottage with her Amazon parrot right before Thanksgiving. A party girl in her eighties, Mama smokes up a storm, likes her nightly vodka, has a hankering for men, and now a wingman named Nigel. If that isn’t enough, the Historical Society wants Cheryl to clean up all the projects on her porch waiting to go to Spivey’s Antique Mall for their Christmas Open House. Her desire to work her booth is as dead as her marriage. Miriam, President of the Historical Society, chastises her, “If it ain’t pretty don’t put it on the porch.” Then there’s Alice, her strange neighbor with the six-foot fluorescent light bulb cross nailed to the huge Magnolia tree in the middle of her rose garden. Alice watches all the neighbors too closely. Just when Cheryl thinks things can’t get worse, an incident shakes her to the core, and a mystery follows revealing family secrets long forgotten. Cheryl wants to believe in miracles and love again, and Dr. James may just be the man of her dreams as he helps her and Mama sort things out.
Filled with quirky characters, mystery, family secrets, and sweet love, all set in a hot Georgia small town.
About the Author
Barbara Barth turned to writing and adopting dogs to heal after her husband died fourteen years ago. Known as ‘Writer With Dogs’, Barth currently lives with four Chihuahuas in a charming town forty miles outside of Atlanta. She is Literary Arts Chair at a small art center where she promotes writing activities, author events, book launches, and hosts an online group Walton Writers. Inspired by the wonderful artists around her, Barth started painting and has won several awards with her whimsical art. Her books are available on Amazon. Visit her Instagram page Barbara Barth Studio.
You can also check out her website.
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