Reactions to a Sea of Red: Guest Post by Chris Lippincott

An author’s reaction to editing is something editors worry about, as I did when I returned first edits to practicing psychic medium and bestselling author Chris Lippincott. Chris’s compelling storytelling only needed a light editing touch, and our collaboration on his work  paid off: Spirits Beside Us has been the #1 Amazon New Release in death, grief & spirituality since its release. It’s a fascinating look at his journey into mediumship, describes what the other side is like, and offers some remarkable mediumship readings and healing messages that have proven to be life-transforming to the recipients.

Take it away, Chris.

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When I began writing my first book, I thought I was creating a magnificent masterpiece. In my mind, it sounded like it flowed, and everyone would be able to understand exactly what I was trying to say. I wrote about my passion and about what I knew, so the content was certainly present. It seemed like the words had spewed forth onto the page like water from a garden hose. After I had completed all my edits and polished my first draft, I was utterly convinced it was the perfect manuscript. All it needed, in my mind, was someone to proofread my work, and it could soon join the great works of the world. Little did I realize, however, that often my writing style lacked the polish that would make it a great work.

Don’t Take Edits Personally

This came as a blow to my ego as well as a frustrating realization that I actually had much more work ahead of me. When I received my manuscript back from my editor Candace, I was at first horrified by the sea of red all over my draft. It practically looked like there were more red marks and corrections than there were black letters. I thought, “Well, clearly, she just doesn’t like my writing and has got it all wrong.”

Try as I might to avoid the extra work (or the blow to my ego), it began to dawn on me that many of her corrections were, in fact, quite necessary. What author ever wants their own words, their living, breathing manuscript, over which they have labored so tirelessly and finally given birth, to receive the painfully sharp cuts of an editorial scalpel? I venture to say no one would wish that upon their own worst enemy.

However, to make our prose sing to the heavens and truly connect with our readers, we need the expertise of an editor well versed in the editorial process. It is their knowledge and expertise that enables them to polish our roughhewn manuscripts into shining gems. Editors are the unsung heroes of the literary world. They rarely receive the credit they deserve as they typically are hidden in the background, while the author’s name is seen in bright lights. However, without these critical editors, few authors would ever have their name in lights.

Editing Is a Learning Experience

Looking back at my own experience, admitting that my work needed all the recommended changes was quite a humbling event. I entered the process as a know-it-all, confident that what I had written was perfect, and no one could improve upon it. Yet, as I stand back and look at the end result of all those edits, I have to admit that the final product is far superior to anything I could have produced on my own. As the saying goes, “Two minds are better than one.”

I don’t think my book would be nearly as successful as it is without Candace’s tough, yet needed, editing. As I sit here and write this, my book Spirits Beside Us: Gain Healing and Comfort from Loved Ones in the Afterlife retains the #1 Best Seller ranking in five different categories on Amazon. While my name may be in lights, it’s Candace’s great editing that made this possible, as many readers have commented that the writing flows … something Candace helped to orchestrate. Many thanks to Candace as well as to all editors who make any writer’s work a wonderful piece of literature.

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I am grateful I had the opportunity to work with Chris on this fascinating book, which is now available in both print and ebook formats on Amazon. Today is the last day to snag the ebook for just $0.99, so hurry over and grab your copy today.

Chris Lippincott is a practicing psychic medium and bestselling author whose evidential readings and unique information from spirit helps transform people’s lives. Chris has trained with some of the world’s greatest teaching mediums. He has studied with tutors from England’s Arthur Findlay College and the Spiritualists’ National Union International, including Tony Stockwell, Martin Twycross, Rev. Janet Nohavec, James Van Praagh, and Lee VanZyl.

While aware of spirit as a child, it wasn’t until after a profound spiritual awakening later in life that Chris began to connect with spirit and develop his abilities to communicate. Chris discovered that his passion is providing comfort, healing, and the knowledge that our loved ones in spirit are alive and well and still care about us.

Chris and his family live in a New Jersey suburb outside of New York City.

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Candace Johnson is a professional freelance editor, proofreader, writer,  writing coach, and book proposal specialist who has worked with traditional publishers, self-published authors, and independent book packagers on nonfiction subjects ranging from memoirs to alternative medical treatments to self-help, and on fiction ranging from romance to paranormal. As an editorial specialist, Candace is passionate about offering her clients the opportunity to take their work to the next level. She believes in maintaining the author’s unique voice while helping them create and polish every sentence to make it the best it can be. Learn more here.

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