“Gaining Wisdom to Grow”
Dear writer, I hope you had a beautiful week and took time to consider the revision process on your current work in progress! This week, we’re going to explore how to take your book to the next level by engaging a professional editor.
You may wonder if your book needs a professional editor at all, but here’s the thing: Our proximity to our own story can create glaring blind spots. Blind spots our family, friends may miss because of their own proximity to us and familiarity with our lives and way of speaking. Blind spots beta readers miss through a simple lack of experience.
A professional editor, on the other hand, has experience, distance, and perspective that can help you take your book to a level you never imagined. But before we get started, let’s take a look at some others who pushed beyond their current level to a whole new arena…
Going Beyond in History
Walt Disney is a great example of a man who pushed beyond his current level of success to accomplish more than anyone imagined. After creating a successful animation movie studio, Walt continued to grow his skills and company to become their very best and began to explore the idea of creating a theme park.
While Walt’s Disney World wasn’t the first theme park, his vision not just to bring stories to families but to create space for families to enter into those stories themselves was unheard of. And Walt’s desire to change the unscrupulous reputation of such parks was so bold and groundbreaking no one thought it would work. Walt’s Disney World changed the nature of theme parks altogether and launched a movement of wholesome safe spaces families could enjoy.
You see, writer, when we take the time and effort to grow beyond our current level of success, we can not only grow in excellence ourselves, but pave the way to elevate the lives and experiences of others, too.
Going Beyond in the Bible
Esther is a wonderful example of a woman who sought advice to grow beyond her current level. After completing two years of beauty treatments in King Xerxes harem, when Esther was called to see the King, she sought the advice of those who knew the King best. As she prepared for her “interview,” she took with her only what her advisors recommended. Esther’s attitude of humility allowed God to easily position and favor her as King Xerxes next queen. A position of authority that God then used powerfully to save His people from annihilation.
You see, writer, knowing when to seek out a professional editor is about recognizing our own limitations. Esther was under no illusion that her beauty alone could win the King’s heart, and sought wisdom and favor from God and from those He’d positioned around her.
Going Beyond in Life
I sought out my first “editor” when I asked the director of the ministry, where I worked, for advice. I’d noticed twice as we traveled on a fundraising trip that my emotions had boiled over in public. Though I’d been “right” and nothing “bad” had happened, something definitely felt “wrong” of the incidents. As I asked her for advice, she kindly pointed out that the enemy was using self pity to short-circuit my ability to speak constructively into the situations and problems I was seeing.
That conversation sparked a perspective shift that opened new doors of influence as I grew in an emotional maturity I hadn’t realized I’d lacked. A lack that other’s had labeled as “courage” as I boldly blurted my indignation at certain wrongs. Much of the ministry I do today hinges on the emotional stability sparked by that early “editorial” conversation.
You see, writer, most of us—if we are honest—suspect there may be ways we could possibly improve as writers, but sometimes it takes courage to face that possibility. Some of us may fear what we’ll learn about ourselves and our writing or that we might lose our story or our hard-earned cash in the process! But here’s the thing…
Going Beyond in Your Life
The things we’re afraid to face often aren’t hidden from others. And, as we face the growth process with God, we can trust His guidance and wisdom to preserve the heart of our story while learning to leverage every tool possible to unleash its fullest and most beautiful expression. Let me show you…
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- Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. – Proverbs 16:3
- Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. – Proverbs 18:1
- Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. – Proverbs 13:10
- The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. – Proverbs 12:15
- Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. – Proverbs 19:20
- Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. – Colossians 3:16
- Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. – Proverbs 27:17
You see, writer, wisdom is a key that opens all kinds of doors. Part of growing in wisdom involves God and part of growing in wisdom involves those He’s placed around us to learn from. And the first step in growing in wisdom is simply to recognize that we need it. Even if you feel like you can’t quite put your finger on what’s “wrong” or think your actually ‘re doing doing pretty good.
Where to Start with Going Beyond
So are you ready to take your story from good to great? Here are some ideas to help you identify when and how to seek out a professional editor…
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- Consider Timing. Part of getting the best advice you can from a professional editor comes recognizing when the time is right to share. Many simply submit a first draft and then are overwhelmed with corrections on simple spelling, punctuation, grammar, and formatting errors. It’s best to enlist an editor’s help after you’ve revised your work using the tools and techniques you currently know. (Including a good proofread!) When we do our best before reaching out to an editor, it allows them to take us further than they could otherwise.
- Ask God. Editors comes in many shapes and sizes and finding one that fits you and your book is something to seek God’s wisdom and direction in. Ask Him to guide your search. Sometimes the best editor for you book may not be the typical choice. For my fantasy novel, an editor that specialized in modern romance happened to be the best fit. Finding someone whose style complements yours (whether they edit in your genre or not) will give some of the most insightful feedback.
- Get Out. One of the best ways to find a great editor is to get out and about. Attend some writers conferences, writing groups, or writers event. Try some online webinars. Ask experienced writers for their recommendations. Do a little research online. The more we connect with others, the more opportunities we will have to meet and learn about different editors personally.
- Be Willing to Invest. Enlisting the help of a professional editor is usually going to cost a bit. And for a very good one, possibly quite a bit. But if the Lord is leading you to an editor that gives you sticker shock, I encourage you to remember this: Seeking the help of a quality editor is as valuable as taking a college course. A college course that’s been specifically tailored to you. And here’s the thing…
Engaging a professional editor to help you go and grow beyond your current level is actually making an investment. An investment in yourself as a writer. An investment in your God-given dream. And ultimately, an investment in the lives of those He’s called you to touch. Because here’s the real deal…
As you stretch into the unfamiliar and attain new levels of experience and understanding, that wisdom will open doors not just for your story but, through that story, for your readers, too.
Just like Disney’s growth went beyond bringing stories into people’s lives and brought people inside the stories themselves to experience them on a whole new level. Just like Esther’s humility not only gained her King Xerxes’ favor but extended that life-saving favor to all of Israel. Just like my willingness to seek counsel not only grew my stability in challenging situations, but allowed me to lend that stability to others.
So, I encourage you today, writer, to prayerfully consider seeking out the help of a professional editor to grow your story to its fullest potential. As you do, you never know how that wisdom and beauty that’s unlocked in your story will unlock God’s wisdom and beauty in the hearts of your readers, too.
#editor #wisdom #growth #keepgoing #maturity #EveryWriterWriting
