"Nisssitissit Witch"

After six months of editing, "Nissitissit Witch" has been published and is selling like crazy. Author Rosemary Chaulk has reported local sales of over 250 books in a matter of weeks. I wrote this article about my experiences as editor of the book:

6 EXTRAORDINARY MONTHS
Recollections From The Editor
By Donna Erickson



“I’ll take that one.” Those were my words when Cheryl Pillsbury, owner/publisher of AG Press, offered me my first editing assignment. She had rattled off four or five titles, but when she uttered, “Witch of the Nissitissit” (the original name for the book), I was intrigued. I had just begun working for Cheryl and found her enthusiasm contagious. I was eager to begin and felt immediately drawn to this project. All I knew, at the time, was that the book was about a ghost. I have always been interested in the occult –even more so during the past decade. You see, I have discovered that I have clairvoyant abilities--and this was “right up my alley!”

And so I began my winter project. The bleakness of February 2008 set the stage for long hours at the computer—perfect for that time of year when much of my writing business slows down. The experience was rather lonely at first. I had no communication with the author. Rose was in Florida and wasn’t due back until spring. I knew I would be spending a lot of time with this work in progress. Being the first draft, it needed major editing. But I enjoy turning sentences inside out and removing wordiness. For me, it feels like I’m removing clutter, which is one of my great pet peeves (just ask my family).

When Rose returned, she came back with another 70 pages. Not having an ending already planned, she was suddenly fueled with new ideas. She finished writing the book and headed back home with it. When she arrived, I added it into the 250-odd pages she already had completed. I had a manuscript more than 300 pages long to revise—line-by-line, word-by-word. I was busy for a lot longer than I had anticipated.

At least I had contact with Rose, and we could bounce ideas off each other. She decided to have me just read for a while, so I would become more familiar with the characters, plot, and sub-plots. So, I worked each day, and every night I curled up with the manuscript and entered the imaginative world Rose had created. I began to feel connected to the book and the characters. Rose told me she had even dreamt about the characters while writing the book. Weeks later, I began dreaming about living in the 1800’s.

Rose had warned me there had been a legend about a curse. She had read that anyone who writes about “the witch” will be cursed and die a horrible death. I thought, “Oh great! Now you’re telling me this!” I shrieked out loud, “What??” “Don’t worry,” Rose replied. “The more I read, the more I realized there’s no truth to it. Plenty of people have written about it and are either okay or they died normally.” What a relief.

Rose and I worked well together as a team. She seemed to appreciate my revisions and we were in agreement most of the time. I had my own ideas about some of the characters and happenings, but, ultimately, the final decisions were hers. We had some nice chats, and when I finished (six months later), we both missed the daily e-mails. Toward the end, I said to Rose that I dreaded the final chapters. I had become so attached to the story and characters, that I felt an actual loss when I was done. Rose told me she had experienced the same emotions—even more so. Although we felt as if we were losing something at the time, we were actually gaining a lot. Now we have the personal satisfaction of seeing the book sell and hearing the wonderful feedback from the many readers who have enjoyed it.

Donna is the owner of www.aflairforwriting.com .

6 EXTRAORDINARY MONTHS - Recollections From the Editor by Donna Erickson

“I’ll take that one.” Those were my words when Cheryl Pillsbury, owner/publisher of AG Press, offered me my first editing assignment. She had rattled off four or five titles, but when she uttered, “Witch of the Nissitissit” (the original name for the book), I was intrigued. I had just begun working for Cheryl and found her enthusiasm contagious. I was eager to begin and felt immediately drawn to this project. All I knew, at the time, was that the book was about a ghost. I have always been interested in the occult –even more so during the past decade. You see, I have discovered that I have clairvoyant abilities--and this was “right up my alley!”

And so I began my winter project. The bleakness of February 2008 set the stage for long hours at the computer—perfect for that time of year when much of my writing business slows down. The experience was rather lonely at first. I had no communication with the author. Rose was in Florida and wasn’t due back until spring. I knew I would be spending a lot of time with this work in progress. Being the first draft, it needed major editing. But I enjoy turning sentences inside out and removing wordiness. For me, it feels like I’m removing clutter, which is one of my great pet peeves (just ask my family).

When Rose returned, she came back with another 70 pages. Not having an ending already planned, she was suddenly fueled with new ideas. She finished writing the book and headed back home with it. When she arrived, I added it into the 250-odd pages she already had completed. I had a manuscript more than 300 pages long to revise—line-by-line, word-by-word. I was busy for a lot longer than I had anticipated.

At least I had contact with Rose, and we could bounce ideas off each other. She decided to have me just read for a while, so I would become more familiar with the characters, plot, and sub-plots. So, I worked each day, and every night I curled up with the manuscript and entered the imaginative world Rose had created. I began to feel connected to the book and the characters. Rose told me she had even dreamt about the characters while writing the book. Weeks later, I began dreaming about living in the 1800’s.

Rose had warned me there had been a legend about a curse. She had read that anyone who writes about “the witch” will be cursed and die a horrible death. I thought, “Oh great! Now you’re telling me this!” I shrieked out loud, “What??” “Don’t worry,” Rose replied. “The more I read, the more I realized there’s no truth to it. Plenty of people have written about it and are either okay or they died normally.” What a relief.

Rose and I worked well together as a team. She seemed to appreciate my revisions and we were in agreement most of the time. I had my own ideas about some of the characters and happenings, but, ultimately, the final decisions were hers. We had some nice chats, and when I finished (six months later), we both missed the daily e-mails. Toward the end, I said to Rose that I dreaded the final chapters. I had become so attached to the story and characters, that I felt an actual loss when I was done. Rose told me she had experienced the same emotions—even more so. Although we felt as if we were losing something at the time, we were actually gaining a lot. Now we have the personal satisfaction of seeing the book sell and hearing the wonderful feedback from the many readers who have enjoyed it.

Donna is the owner of www.aflairforwriting.com .

Awarded by Embracethepositive.com

My article, What Inspires Me, which appears in my blog, has been selected for publication in the November e-zine of www.embracethepositive.com . They sent me a nice journal, pen, and bookmark as a gift, along with a coupon for the products on their site. Check it out.

New Direction

I'm excited about my new duties as Senior Editor and Copartner for AG Press. Owner, Cheryl Pillsbury has designated me to review the work of the other editors to determine if additional editing is required. I'll also be managing the company website, proofing Poetic Monthly Magazine, and editing company documents. I just received the latest (15th edition) of the Chicago Manual of Style-the "Bible" for writers, editors, and publishers-which will help me answer questions from the other editors. I will continue to edit manuscripts to be published by AG Press. None of my services have changed at A Flair For Writing. Needless to say, I'm quite busy!

What Inspires Me

Every writer hears the question sooner or later – where do you get your ideas? I have finally figured it out. Those light bulb moments and middle-of- the-night brainstorms

are divine inspiration at work. If you have never wondered where your creativity stems from, then it merely exists. No further questions. However, if you’re like me and want to know the answers to everything in life, you have probably wondered where a great idea has come from.

 

I believe this world and the world beyond function together as the universe. Because we are linked to another dimension, we are infused with thoughts and ideas. The stronger our spiritual connection is, the greater our creativity. Here are some suggestions for developing your own divine inspiration:

 

1. Keep a notebook and pen by your bed. You’re more likely to write things down at odd times if you don’t have to get up.
2. Get in touch with your spiritual side. There are so many choices today to help you. Meditation, visualization with guided imagery, yoga, Reiki sessions, and other forms of bodywork are all ways to improve your connection.
3. Prayer. If you ask for help with your creativity, you will receive it. You will need to find a way that works best for you.
4. Start a journal. This will allow your creativity to flow and may give you ideas for future writing projects.

I have learned to always go with my “gut feelings.” That little voice inside is usually right. That same little voice can inspire you to create some of your best writing.