I’m a little sad today. I just got divorced.

But, fortunately, not in the way you might think. A few days ago, I finished three editing passes of my latest novel, The Dark Menace, and my beta reader returned it with glowing praise. Just prior to doing some last-minute polishing of the book description, I emailed my talented editor Winslow Eliot, telling her to expect the manuscript soon. To my shock and despair, I received an email a short time later explaining that unfortunately she could not edit the manuscript as she had moved on to perhaps a higher calling—namely writer mentoring and spiritual counseling.

Saddened, I started reflecting on how much Winslow has done for me over the years. A good writer-editor relationship is a marriage of sorts. When you find a good fit it’s worth nurturing and preserving. There’s a fine line between interfering and even undermining an author’s voice, style and tone and actually helping them become a better storyteller. Say the wrong things and you can shatter a fragile writer ego forever. Say the right things and they could become the next New York Times bestselling author. Make no mistake about it, editing is an art and special skill and talent is necessary to be able to elevate a writer’s prose from good to great.

I can’t begin to explain the ways in which Winslow helped me polish my storytelling abilities. But I’ll try. Strong characterization. Repairing plot holes. Better use of description. When point of view becomes confusing. Story arc. Grammar and punctuation rules. Tone. Cadence and rhythm. Pace. There is so much more. Winslow provided me with a mountain of information on how to construct a good story. Much more than any university course could have taught me, much more than mere words can describe.

But there was something more to our relationship than mere writer-editor. Winslow believed in me. She picked me up when I was feeling down. She encouraged me when I lost hope. Sure, she constructively criticized me when I screwed up, but I wouldn’t expect anything less than the truth from a great editor.

She was just a ray of sunshine in my life.

But, while wallowing in my pit of despair at this divorce of sorts, I started to realize something. Winslow didn’t go anywhere. Why am I speaking in the past tense? She is a ray of sunshine in my life. She’s still a great friend and always will be. She’s still an amazing person and always will be. Presumably she just decided to follow her passion and do what she does best—help other people realize their potential in life. So I swallowed the lump of sorrow and sadness welling up in my throat, dried my watery eyes, and went to work finding another editor.

I thoroughly researched three possibilities and sent out some preliminary feelers, anxiously checking my inbox every half hour for replies. What I did find was a reply from Winslow, doing what she does best—pick you up when you’re feeling down.

Here it is: “I feel you have come such a long way from your first book—how many years ago was it!? And what a wild, exciting ride it has been for you! You’ve moved, traveled, and published, published, published (and written too!!). Yours really is an extraordinary journey, and the more books you write the more fans and readers you’ll get—it will continue to get better for you. You have such persistence, determination, amazing talent, and enthusiasm. I send you love and light, dear William, and many blessings on all your future endeavors.”

I didn’t realize I would be that emotional about the writer-editor part of our relationship, but I couldn’t help my eyes from watering. Of course, I responded:

“I can’t begin to tell you how much you’ve helped me, Winslow. It is with a great sense of sadness that I write these words. As you know, a good writer-editor relationship is a marriage of sorts and when you find a good fit, it’s best to preserve and nurture the relationship. There is a fine line between interrupting an author’s voice and enhancing and developing it. You’ve masterfully developed my storytelling ability in ways that mere words simply cannot describe. I know so much more about the craft than when I started and you’ve given me a much better education than any university course ever could. Thank you so much for the high praise and the words of encouragement. You are truly an amazing person and you mean so much to me. When I look back at the first novel and I see what I’m writing now, it really is a night and day difference. You’re right. We’ve come a long way together. I know I couldn’t have done it without you. Thanks for believing in me. Best of luck with your spiritual enlightenment counseling. I always knew you were a deeply spiritual person. I send much love.”

After that reply, we went back and forth a few times, promising to stay in touch, to be there for one another, and remain great friends. It wasn’t long before the black cloud hovering above me began to drift away. I began to realize that (to use an overused cliché) people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

I’m sure Winslow came into my life six and a half years ago for a reason—to make me a better writer and a better person.

I’m also sure she also came into my life as a great friend—for a lifetime.

It made me reflect on why it’s so important to find a good editor. Writing is a deeply personal craft. It teaches you who you are, teaches you how you think—touches your heart in so many poignant, wild and wonderful ways. Novels take hard work to produce—often blood, sweat and tears. It takes courage and thick skin to write and publish a book. You spill open your heart to the world and—as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow—some will stomp all over it.

But when the validation comes—in the form of a rave review from my editor or a rave review from a reader—it makes the whole journey deeply rewarding and satisfying.

More than the money, it’s just the recognition that, as Stephen King once said, “I’ve got game.”

Thank you, Winslow, for helping me find my game.

Thank you, dear readers, for your loyalty and support. If you’re a writer in need of mentoring, or searching for spiritual enlightenment, Winslow Eliot comes highly recommended.

Find Winslow here: http://winsloweliot.com/

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