But I heavily relied on feedback from my trusted beta readers, one of whom was published author Liz Treacher. But when she read my book, she came back with some brilliant suggestions to make my novel better (and this was after I'd paid for a development edit!). What I hadn’t realised was that she’s a superb development editor and offers this service professionally, so let’s meet her.
Hi Liz, thank you so much for chatting with me today. Can you tell us about yourself?
Hi Jaye! Great to see you again! I’m a writer and editor living in the quiet but beautiful Scottish Highlands. It’s the perfect place to live as a writer and editor, because there aren’t a lot of other things to do! So I sit and work in my study with a wonderful view of the mountains and the sea. It’s a great life - and here is the view!
Wow, it is a stunning view, and not far from where I set My F in Life - how can anyone not be inspired by that Highland scenery!
But some people might be wondering what a development editor does, so can you tell us more?
I help writers identify and resolve plot issues in the first draft of a novel. I look at story, plot, character, point of view (POV), setting, worldbuilding and so on. The goal is to hone and polish the story and strengthen characterisation and structure. It’s a real honour and privilege to be entrusted with someone’s first draft and I take my job very seriously, offering an in-depth report and inline comments as well.
You offer this through your website (link here) but as you’re a published author too, do you think that gives you a unique point of view?
Yes, I think so! As a writer, I know how difficult it can be to make even small changes to a story. I’ve had lots of experience of being given feedback that I realise will mean several hours’ work. I find it especially difficult if I’m attached to a particular scene or character, and suddenly I’m advised that they have to go!
My experience is that it’s usually a good idea to follow advice. No matter how much I fight them initially, I always end up trying my developmental editor’s ideas in the end, and often discover that the book is better for the changes.
You are right, but it’s heart-breaking to lose pages of hard work!
As an editor, I always reassure writers that nothing written is ever wasted. Both characters and scenes can be moved elsewhere in a novel, and even to future books. I always advise authors to hold onto previous drafts so that it’s easy to revert to original ideas if the new version doesn’t feel right.
That’s great advice and I’ve certainly dug out some old pages to put into my new book 😀
I think that writers have a hunch for a story arc. I have four novels under my belt, so I like to think that I have a sixth-sense for when a plot is flagging. I can sense if a scene starts too early, or too late, or when a character isn’t working as well as it could. It’s always a joy to help authors to bring out the best in their novels.
That’s quite a skillset, but I imagine it must be difficult if you read a manuscript and realise things aren’t working. Knowing how vulnerable authors can feel, particularly newbies like me, how do you give feedback without crushing their enthusiasm for their work?
I know from experience how vulnerable writers can feel when they hand over their manuscript for feedback. I always make any criticism constructive. All manuscripts have huge strengths and I think it’s very important to point out what is already working and celebrate the positives.
I always stress that my opinion is just an opinion and doesn’t need to be followed. I think that hearing someone else’s thoughts on your work can shift things for a writer. Even if you don’t agree with an editor’s advice, their ideas can spark other solutions, and perhaps better ones.
I must admit, you were really kind to me when you gave me feedback, and it changed the opening chapter of my book, which was pretty major! I was grateful for the help but I imagine not everyone taking it so well. From your perspective, what makes for a good working relationship between a writer and their editor?
Jaye, it was an absolute pleasure to read your fantastic novel and I’m glad my feedback helped.
Aw, shucks! Blushing here, but please carry on 😳
For a good relationship with an author, I think the most important thing is to understand their goals. Any feedback must be based on helping them to achieve these goals.
I always invite interested writers to a Zoom call so I can find out exactly what they want to achieve, and how they would like me to help. My aim is to encourage the author to make their book the best that they can make it. The secret is to remain empathetic to the author’s vision, but still offer creative input.
I think that’s the sign of a great editor - not easy to achieve, but you have such a kind way of giving advice and that's invaluable.
Changing tactics slightly, you’re excellent with women’s fiction, but unlike pure romance, women's fiction focuses on a web of relationships. How do you help authors balance a romantic subplot without letting it overpower the protagonist's personal journey?
This is a great question. My gut feeling is that subplots can work well but work best when they affect the protagonist in some way.
Thinking about your novel, My F in Life, (and without giving away any spoilers!) the health problems that Jaye’s parents were struggling to negotiate had more meaning for me as a reader because I could see the impact that they were having on Jaye’s life.
I saw the issues they faced, but it was through Jaye’s eyes. Her reaction to going home and seeing them much older, told me as much about Jaye as about her parents.
When this happens in a book, it creates a lovely kind of double layer of meaning for the reader. I really enjoy being able to discover things about the main character by observing them in a subplot!
I agree, although now I’m thinking all my blushing might be a hot flush! Okay, is there one cliché or overused trope in fiction that you are currently seeing?
This is a very interesting question! They say there are only about 7 types of stories, and within those story types there are probably only a few possible plots. For example romcoms are usually one of the following: enemies to lovers, the meet-cute, opposites attract, the love triangle or second chance romance. And to be honest I think that’s ok, as long as the romcom that you write is different from other romcoms.
I think most writers are very aware that their plots have been written dozens of times already. The challenge lies in telling the story in such an original way that the trope is hard to spot! Take Pride and Prejudice - I think that Jane Austen uses all the romcom clichés, in fact she probably invented them! And yet people never tire of that particular story (or at least I don’t). It remains fresh and entertaining 200 years after it was written.
That’s very true. Just out of interest, do you ever get so sucked into the story that you forget you are supposed to be editing it?
Yes! This can be a problem! When I feel it happening, I take a break and go out for a walk to allow the plot to simmer in my head. It allows me to disengage from the emotion of a story and think about it more objectively.
Going off on a bit of a tangent, I would like to pass on a tip that a writer friend gave me. She suggested that when you reread your own manuscript, mark in the margin where your mind starts wandering, or what page you were on when you got up to put the kettle on. Because if you lose concentration during a particular chapter or scene, then the chances are that your reader will too. When you’ve finished reading your manuscript, go back and tighten up those thinner bits. Finding potential weak spots is another job that a developmental editor does.
Oh, I love that tip and I’m definitely using that going forward! Talking about your own books now, which of your characters was the biggest nightmare to write, because they refused to cooperate?
My trickiest character was the first one I ever wrote - Bernard Cavalier. Bernard was an outrageous artist from 1920 who never did as he was told. Luckily I had an editor who could handle him better than me! As a writer, we are the parents of our characters, and children always play up for their parents. That’s when an editor comes in!
I love Bernard, but he is a handful! And can we chat more about your books now. You’ve published a series and some standalones, can you tell us briefly about them?
I would love to! First off are the two books starring Bernard, a wayward artist, and Evie his muse. Evie is the opposite to Bernard - she is a hard-working and responsible postlady, although she also has an impulsive side. Evie and Bernard live in The Wrong Envelope and its sequel, The Wrong Direction.
Their romance has a touch of the humorous, but the two novels also explore the many problems that British women faced when the First World War ended. After losing brothers and sweethearts during the conflict, young women then lost the jobs they had been doing while the men were away. As a postlady, Evie’s job is one of many under threat.
I have also written a dark, psychological thriller called The Unravelling, which explores what happens after Ella Aldridge is stopped on her daily commute by a shadowy ticket inspector.
After her arrest on platform 3, Ella finds herself spiralling into a mysterious world where nothing is as it seems. As she begins to lose her grip on reality, she embarks on an extraordinary journey that touches everyone around her.
I’m going to interrupt you here, as we discussed that book in our interview on my blog, Tweetables (link here) and I have to be honest, it spooked me. A lot! But I loved Ella, a great protagonist. But please, carry on!
Finally, I have written a romcom set on Loch Fleet where I live. It’s called Vegan Recipes for New Age Men and tells the story of Lauren, an uptight proofreader who is hiding a childhood secret, and Nash, a passionate Bohemian chef.
Desperate for a break from her busy life in London, Lauren, arrives at her Highland holiday cottage to find Nash squatting there! It’s a light and hopefully uplifting tale about becoming who you were born to be!
It's such a feelgood romcom, I loved it!
It’s taken me about ten years to bring these books to life, but it’s been the most enjoyable period of my life. My message to writers reading this is please carry on writing. Never give up! The world needs storytellers more than ever. Your stories are precious and wonderful and we are waiting for them!
That goes for you too, Jaye. Hurry up and finish the sequel to My F in Life. I’m dying to read it!
What a wonderful message, Liz and LOL, me too (on finishing my novel)!
Thank you so much. It’s been a complete joy chatting to you again, and if you’d like to find out more about Liz, you can visit her website here or her author page on Goodreads here or Amazon here