Kelley Frodel
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The Myth about Networking

6/20/2016

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Pretty much everyone knows that networking is important. In almost any profession, one of the main things drilled into newcomers is "network, network, network." But I think this hard sell makes it much more daunting than it actually should be. 

Here is something I have discovered that really took the pressure off of the always looming "network" cloud. The best thing to come out of networking is not more jobs, more opportunities, more ways to get your foot in the door as a writer, editor, or whatever other profession you're in. The best thing about networking is actually just feeling like you belong.

When I viewed networking as a necessary tool to get into the publishing industry (as an editor and a writer), that put a lot of pressure on my interactions with people. I am not naturally a particularly outgoing person to begin with, so that made it even harder to pluck up the courage to approach people and try to make a connection. But then something happened. I joined a book club with some of my fellow editors. Sure, we talked a lot about editing because we all had that in common, but the reason we all came together was because we had something else in common--our love of reading science fiction and fantasy stories. Because we came together to talk about something unrelated to our work, it took the pressure almost completely out of the entire situation. I wasn't there to network. I was there to talk about something I love, and share that love with other people who were also really excited to talk about it! But that is networking.

Because I was able to make a connection with fellow editors, I started to feel like, "Hey, I belong in this group of people. I am an editor. They are editors. We are all in this together." This was such a good feeling. I now have a group of friends who are also editors, people I can relate to and share a passion with. In almost every profession, I think you go through a phase of feeling like an impostor. Can I really call myself an editor? Can I really call myself a writer? When you join a group of fellow writers or editors, share your own stories, and start to make real connections, that feeling of being an impostor starts to fade. You feel like you belong in that community, and this is the best part about networking. All of the other perks follow in due course.


So the next time you are at a writers conference or an editors coffee hour, just remember that networking isn't about furthering your career. Not really. It's about joining a community and feeling like you are a part of it--knowing that you belong there.
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The Plus Side of Revisions

10/12/2015

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I received feedback from several beta readers recently on my manuscript. It was the first in-depth feedback I've received on the entire novel as a whole. So, of course, it was a little bit of a punch to the gut. At first.

The important thing to realize with feedback is that it is designed to help you improve your story. When sorting through the comments from my beta readers, I had moments of despair where I really had to remind myself of the thick skin I was supposed to possess as a writer. I also had moments of giddy delight where I received the exact response that I wanted from my readers. But the most important moment came at the end, after letting all of the emotions settle. It was the moment of realizing I had more work to do--work that would make my story better.


I received feedback that made me go, "Oh, of course!" I couldn't sit down at my computer quickly enough to start thinking of scenes and additions that would help fill in some of the gaps that my beta readers had discovered. This is really the best kind of feedback you can hope for. Even though it's more work, it is exciting to know that it will help strengthen my story.

Of course, not all feedback is that helpful, and this is where not only the thick skin comes in, but also the strength to trust yourself as a writer. You know what your story is about, and you know what you are hoping to achieve from it--unfortunately not every reader will understand that. So be open to feedback, as some of it can really make your story stronger and clearer, but also be aware that some feedback you'll need to take with a grain of salt. And trust yourself to know the difference.
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Types of Editing

7/14/2015

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I find this to be a great resource for outlining the different levels of editing that are typically offered by freelance editors:

http://www.edsguild.org/what-type-editing-do-i-need

Most editors have a particular focus, usually falling on the "content/structure" side or on the "words/details" side. Many developmental editors do not provide copyediting services, as working with authors to help build and structure their stories takes a different skill set than helping authors fine-tune their prose. In a similar vein, many copyeditors do not provide developmental editing services for the same reason. Though there are editors who dabble in both (I am one of them--I can't seem to make up my mind which I enjoy the most). 

It is always important to communicate up front with your editor to establish what kind of editing you are looking for and if it is something that they can provide. Your editor can also help you figure out what types of editing would be best for your manuscript if you are unsure. When in doubt, ask questions! Understanding one another (even if the dialogue must go back and forth a few times) is very important before embarking on an editing project. Communicating ensures that both parties will be happy when they reach the end goal.
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