The way I feel about my editor is the same way a toddler feels about any given food: one day I love her and the next day she repulses me.

She likes one of my word choices: I love her.

She tells me to cut more words: I hate her.

I had no idea how much goes into editing a book. My editor Tara and I went back and forth seven times before we agreed on the final edit. Seven times! I have written a 325 word childrenโ€™s book and we went back and forth SEVEN TIMES! I canโ€™t even begin to imagine what Tolstoy went through editing War and Peace. Having someone pick apart 1,225 pages that I poured my blood, sweat and tears into would have driven me to the edge. I barely survived the editing process of my 14 page book! (And no, I havenโ€™t read War and Peace. As I mentioned, I max out at 14 pages and/or 325 wordsโ€ฆ whichever comes first.)

But I know it was worth it. I know that by making me be intentional with my words, encouraging me to look at things from different angles and making me reconsider my choices, Tara has made my book better. She has helped me create the best version of my book.*

And I canโ€™t wait to share it with you. โค๏ธ

*Because of this, Iโ€™m happy to report that my relationship with Tara has swung back to the โ€˜I love herโ€™ side of the pendulum.