Recently, a friend who writes for Horror Tree published a review of The Ghost of Laurie Floyd. It’s the best review I’ve ever gotten —but not because it sang my praises. Instead, it’s the most honest review I’ve ever gotten. It’s also, I now realize, the sort of criticism I needed pre-publication.
I wished I’d known Kirsten back then. She’s been an editor for years. Except, I didn’t know that at first. I always just thought she was a good writer, which I admire in things she’s published on both Horror Tree (as Willow Croft) and Haunt Jaunts. (She’s a mad genius when it comes to crafting super clever horoscopes. For June 2023 on Horror Tree, she did how each sign will die at the beach. But she’s also supplied some horoscopes on HJ too.)
Anyway, I admire her wordsmithery and value her opinion. That helped take some of the sting out of her honest review, which she semi-warned me about ahead of time.
And it’s not like it was all bad. Her worst criticisms were problems with pacing and being disappointed with the romantic aspect of who ended up with who. (Or is it whom? This is why I need editorial assistance. I don’t know these things.)
Anyway, her review was exactly what I needed…even if it has been almost 10 years (or more) since I published a book. It’s also part of why I’m stalling on finishing The Manuscript That Shall Remain Nameless.
Kirsten’s review validated something I already knew in my heart: Laurie Floyd was okay, but not good and certainly not great. It was a good effort at attempting to craft a page-turner. I learned some things from it.
I feel Nameless is better, but…something’s wrong. Exactly what I haven’t pinpointed yet. Part of it is the title. And I know how I want it to end. Something in the middle, or even earlier nearer the start, needs help. Every time I think I know what that is, I falter, set it aside, and leave it on the back burner. Again.
But now I realize it’s time to face facts. What it really needs is an editor. After reading Kirsten’s review, I better understand why the bigger houses passed on Laurie Floyd. If I’d just had someone to help me hone it a little, maybe I could’ve…
No, that’s not true. One house wanted less romance and more suspense, the other wanted the exact opposite. I refused to change it and lost my agent because of my stubbornness.
An editor wouldn’t have helped me back then. I wasn’t open to it like I am now.
We’ll see if I can shape Nameless into what it deserves. Now that I am open to help. After all, I am all about turning over new leaves and all that, right?