First off, I want to thank Edie for finding a pic for me to post today. The mysterious computer wizards are playing with my favorite links. Edie pulled up her photo website fine, and I got a really wierd AOL google page. Edie had no clue what I was blogging about, but knows me well. I like faries and sparkly pics. Cinderella fit perfectly, or will when I figure the angle out. 
I know the comparison between giving birth, and finishing a book has been discussed before. It wasn’t until I had my girls, that I understood the connection on a deeper level. And now I have a new perspective on the letting go aspect of a creative project too. Babies grow up and leave home when it’s time. Picture Cinderella in the cinders as rough draft, and her at the ball as the shiny book. Phew, it worked!
Until I began working with my editor, I had no idea what the process would be like. You all met Margaret last week during our editor spotlight. I realize for every published author, there are thousands of deserving writers waiting for a chance. I wasn’t about to take this opportunity for granted. I’m a heart writer, but know I have much to learn. I had to take a step back, in order to really see. What’s best for the story, what’s necessary to make it better became the focus. No egos allowed in this sacred space. Luckily, that wasn’t a problem for me.
The idea for this blog occurred when I had that AH moment. When I stood back from my work, it became all about the story. The umbilical cord was cut. When writing a story, it’s surreal for everyone I believe. Writing the story is the easy part for me, but editing is about making it better, holding it to a different light. I believe we owe it to our characters to do the telling well.
So in the spirit of Cinderella, what are your thoughts on your book children? Any AH moments about the distance necessary to really see your book baby for who she is, and not as you imagine her to be? The first draft to the last is an amazing journey. And I’m grateful to have taken it with my fabulous editor.
How’s that for a fairy tale ending?
LaDonna, I am so happy for you! Ain’t life grand? I don’t consider my books my babies. I did at one time. Sigh. I would never sell my baby.
But I’ll sell a book! I will say, I miss my characters when it’s time to say goodbye. After revisions and copy edits and final page proofs, you really know them. They are to me part of a family that keeps growing. To get over them, I find two more people’s lives to meddle in. 
LaDonna, you did it again. Another “make Kath think” blog, and so timely, too. Not long ago someone said to me “how does it feel to have your baby jumped on,” or something to that effect. The statement made my blood boil and I share Karin’s thoughts. I don’t look at my stories as my babies – not once I’ve edited, proofed, edited some more and then submitted. They are more like children – that we only rent them and during that time we give our all to make them strong for others to enjoy in the world.
My stories prove that dreams can be fulfilled. I find joy when others appreciate them, like the children we raised – utter pride that the hard work paid off.
In another month I’ll begin editing with Margaret and hope that between the two of us the story will come through as intended. I have great faith that it will, based on not only your experience, but Margaret’s guest blog. Another exciting ride!
Okay this is really off topic, but seeing that sparkly Cinderella dress made me just think of what I dreamed last night. I was wearing this completely fabulous elegant skirt, that just moved so great, and I had these sparkly high heels on and the dream was so vivid I could feel and hear my heels clicking on the floor when I walked. I wanna go back to sleep. whaaaaaaaaaa.
I have to finish toning up and losing the rest of this weight, I want to go back to wearing the kickass clothes.
Okay sorry, anyway…I don’t have kids, but I know a lot of mothers see their kids as a lot more perfect than they really are much like writers and their books. I think the the difference in kids and books, you really can’t afford to do this with a book.
I hear sometimes you can’t afford it with a kid either, but child raising by a genuinely caring parent seems to be a self correcting process. At least that’s what I’ve witnessed around me, have no personal experience there so take it with a grain of salt. All I know is…no kid or parent is perfect and yet most kids end up more or less entering adulthood without too many horrible battle scars from it.
LaDonna, love your fairy tale ending.
Reading your blog, I had a thought that the editor is like a fairy godmother. They take this raggedy girl who plays in ashes and with thier advice, help us transform her into a beautiful princess.
I still harbor love for characters in previous books. I just feel good thinking about them. But I really don’t think of them as my children. I would never put my own children through the torture I put my characters through. I’m more like the wicked witch, looking into the crytal ball, rubbing my hands and snickering, thinking, “Now what trouble can I get them into?”
Karin, so happy to see you! I’ll visit ya at Murder She Writes in a second too.
And yep, life is grand! And I love your solution for getting over the loss too. Nothing like starting a new book ‘eh?
I love your prolificness, GF!
Kathy, so glad to be of help! And it’s definitely the perception I chose. It’s all about the story. Margaret’s the best, and I wish you well. Enjoy that ride too!
Hey Cinderella, ah Zoe!!
Love that dream btw. My comparison to books and children is the way I feel about my stories when I’m writing that first draft. I adore them. It pulls my heart strings, makes me laugh, and when I’m done I’m so proud I could bust. When my girls grew up and left home, my heart actually hurt for a while. When I look at my daughters now, I’m so proud of the women they’ve become.
That’s what I’m talking about!
Hey Edie, we make a great team. You can find my pics for me, and I’ll write a blog around them.
And we’ve both done that one before too. A fun way to get the brain fired up! And that’s exactly what I feel about Margaret, my fairy godmother! Too funny!
Can I borrow that crystal ball of yours? I want to see what’s in store for my next characters. And luckily, when I’m in a story I don’t think of the torture aspect. It’s like they find it on their own, and I just follow them to see what’s going to happen, and hold their hand until it goes away!
A kiss the Boo Boo feeling comes over me.
LaDonna, I get the kiss the boo boo feeling, but I force myself to ignore it and I torture them instead. You wouldn’t want to know ahead of time what your characters are doing. It’s the surprises that my characters do that makes writing such a joy. Much of the time, I don’t know what will happen as I write.
Zoe, what a great dream! I’d love one like that too.
You’re right, Edie. If I knew what was actually going to happen, I’d freeze up and it’d show. Better to just take the ride, and enjoy the surprises!
And me too on Zoe’s dream. That gal was at a party last night in LaLa land! Wonder if she tangled with a stubborn cheeseball like we did at National.
We won, though, by golly!
First of all, I had to quick grab a pair of sunglasses when I clicked on this blog.
All those sparkles left dots in front of my eyes.
Yep … babies/books. Everyone compares them but like Karin, I would never sell my baby. My books however? In a heartbeat. Not to say that I wouldn’t be heartbroken if someone beat up on my book, but once that puppy is shipped off, its a feeling of relief. Hmmm … I guess the analogy would still work. Shipping it off is like sending a child to college. You still worry, but its out of your hands.
Hey, Liz, I should’ve posted a glare warning at the top of my blog today.
We’ll be the cool chicks today, sunglasses and all.
And you’re a very wise woman. Pointing out that it’s out of our hands at some point is gold. We can all hope they do us proud in the big world. Write on, I say!
It’s brand new day, a new book is on the way! (kinda rhymes).
Being a huge Disney fan (please, my online name is Tinkerbarb), I was smitten with your pic of Cindy. Ummm, what was the blog about again?
LOL, you were definitely smitten, Barbara. Trust me, I’d love to have Tinkerbella as my legal name. And the premise today was, Do whatever it takes, listen to your editor, she’s a goddess in disguise, follow your heart, make it shine!
The condensed version is sometimes best.
Thanks LaDonna, without the adorable picture distracting me, your blog was insightful. I’m learning so much here.
Barbara, I love insightful!
And learning is one of my favorite things to experience. So glad you enjoyed Cindy too. Next week I’ll find another fairy! Can never have enough fairies IMO.
I love my books, but after having that first one published, I’ve stopped looking at them as children. When I finish a story, I take an honest look at it and ask, “Had anyone else written this, would it be enough to keep me salivating for every word?” That’s what I live for. I would rather my book become someone else’s child than mine, where they it has to be pried from their cold, dead hands.
Marcia, I agree on that first sale bringing so much insight.
And those are great questions to ask.
LaDonna,
I was wondering how you were going to segeway Cinderelle into writing– I should have known you’d find a brilliant way.
I’m with those who don’t equate their books with their children (or in my case pets…
)but I do believe in fairy tales and happy endings.