I’ve just returned from my solo trip to West Palm Beach to attend a party. Fictionary uses AI; I also used an AI agent to accelerate my travel research. Instead of overthinking my desire but lagging in action, I convinced my parents to let me go without mentioning the party.
However, instead of the restful Florida-sunshiney outcome and clarity in my life direction that I’d anticipated, I felt greater indignation than before I started the voyage. As my journey ended and I was so close to achieving success, everything went wrong and I’m still incensed.
As a first-time editor, I’ve learned tough lessons I’d like to share with others, including overcoming unexpected setbacks, especially those caused by external circumstances outside your control. Without further ado, let’s have a look at what they are.
My Journey as a First-Time Editor
I was beyond excited to be on the editing team for an anthology for a local writing group. It was the culmination of my training at Story Grid since 2023 and ongoing education at Fictionary since 2024, and I wanted to make the most of my newfound expertise.
Spreadsheets played a crucial role in how I organized the content and communications between writers and editors. I sorted stories by genre, story ending, and degree of realism. I also did a few rounds of proofreading, burning the midnight oil. I loved seeing the whole project through to completion.
I was elated when the lead editor appreciated my “tireless” administrative efforts (when really I felt like an overworked clerk) and looked forward to editing the next anthology with a new team, perhaps with better stories that would have shaped my life in a more positive direction.
The Unexpected Twist
I shared my editorial process with people who were willing to celebrate with me and fellow editors. I was in West Palm Beach, enjoying what remained of my first solo trip, and thought it wrong to withhold the joy. I’d praised the organization highly in the article, so it was a shock that I was deemed a pariah for releasing information for which I had never signed any NDA.
I was hurt and confused by the situation, exacerbated by the previous day’s events (more on later). I also felt it was wrong of them to gatekeep the information I was sharing when it could have benefited many editors and writers, perhaps even attracting new members to the organization.
It bothers me that I was reprimanded and punished for speaking up as an editor. I like sharing tips and tricks. I believe it’s advantageous for me to be open about my life and work. I also cannot stand injustice. But more than that, I have learned that the only place I can call home is where I can speak my mind, and I cannot reside where fear still lurks.
Editing Tips and Tricks
Kindness Rules
It was interesting that one of the writers asked me, “Which part of my story did you like best?” This crucial question was mentioned in the Fictionary StoryCoach course, where editors can demonstrate kindness and encouragement. It was no surprise, then, that my reply shaped the content of the resulting story.
I wasn’t consistently kind, however. Another writer withdrew his submission after I’d given him a long critique, which I spent over an hour writing. My main concern was that it was too preachy and imbalanced in the plot and character elements. Still, I must have failed to identify enough areas for positive feedback to counteract the negatives.
Advocating for Unique Voices
I enjoyed the way a character spoke in the manner of a ragamuffin in another story, and I took great pains to explain to the writer that even though run-on sentences are not the grammatically correct norm, they served the story. Unfortunately, all such run-on sentences were gone in the final version. Perhaps my encouragement alone wasn’t enough.
However, another of those writers wrote in a neoclassical 1950s style. When I asked the writer about the motivation behind such a story, the reply was a ubiquitous dissatisfaction and an attempt to be content with one’s passionless day job.
Sometimes, it looks more socially acceptable to suppress negative emotions like anger and frustration. But this writer has learned that such strong emotions are where one’s real literary power lies and harnessed it perfectly.
Protagonist ≠ POV
I also got to review critical concepts in identifying potential improvements to existing stories, namely, the choice of protagonist and point-of-view (POV). These story theories may seem elementary, but I was glad I could give a sound answer when put on the spot.
“If, as you say, the protagonist should be the one with the most to lose, then in The Gift of the Magi, who was the protagonist?” a writer asked me. (Spoiler alert: This famous short story by O. Henry was about a married couple who gave up their most cherished personal possessions for each other.)
I didn’t flinch. “Della.”
“Why?”
“Because the second criterion for a protagonist is that we’re following their journey, and this story only describes Della’s trajectory. The same goes for your story’s protagonist: an unaffected bystander observing the situation is less impactful than a character who loses face or puts another in harm’s way.”
“Actually,” said the writer, who’s more familiar with the story universe, “it’s her mentor who has the most to lose because he’ll have to answer for her actions and prepare for legal disputes…”
As editors, we can suggest who might make a better protagonist, but we must honor the writer’s vision. They may know more than you think.
Reflection
It’s always the ending that gives meaning to the beginning. The saddest stories are those where everything only goes wrong in the climax; that has been my experience both as a first-time editor and solo traveler.
I had a smooth partnership with the other editors on the anthology team and was looking forward to doing better in the next anthology. I also looked forward to ending my overwhelming professional life in 2023 with a restful trip to Florida.
Before I learned that the organization wanted me out of the editorship, it was the day of the party I attended at West Palm Beach. It was the sole and whole aim of the trip that I had to conceal from my parents because I would never have been allowed to go if they knew about it. My mother confiscated my passport the last time I tried to travel solo.
To save up my phone battery for photos and videos of the event, my final plan was to nap and then go to one of the two museums I mentioned to my mom, and it was clear from my phone call to her that I’d forgo the other. However, she seized the opportunity to urge me to visit the other museum, saying this might be my only trip to this city.
The stakes of saying no to my mom were too high for many complex reasons. This last-minute yes resulted in a nightmare: I missed the rideshare paid for at her instruction, and, feeling sorry for me, she taught me to demand a refund, of which the rideshare company was not a fan. After granting the refund, the company revoked my payment method and suspended my account.
Instead of enjoying the party, I was frustrated at making the app work without knowing it had already failed me. My phone also died. I had to rely on two fellow partygoers and the local sheriffs to travel back to my rented apartment to pack up and to Palm Beach International Airport for an early flight out.
In hindsight, if not for the rideshare app locking me out, I’d be planning to visit West Palm Beach again shortly to follow up on my leads. But my present lack of a driving license means my mom was easily proven right in saying I won’t be in West Palm Beach again.
I’m still fuming. I don’t enjoy being the protagonist of cautionary tales because I have been writing them throughout my literary career. All I can hope for is that my sharing today can prevent another first-time editor or traveler from repeating history tomorrow and having their cherished dreams ruined by another’s fancy.
Finding Hope and Determination
I didn’t enjoy the party I so looked forward to, my original goal of this journey, because I tried to please someone, and that someone was not me. Likewise, I will not be satisfied with a literary or editorial career where I’m at the mercy of another’s vision instead of trusting myself to lead the way.
But perhaps untethering me was the only way to liberate me. Despite the unexpected setback, I remain hopeful about my editorial career. I’ve learned first-hand how much work it takes to edit well, and continuous learning and growth will help me to apply my skills and passion to new opportunities. Furthermore, I’m confident that my ongoing training as a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach will open doors for me.
You can learn more about Cassandra here at her website, leeyieng.com.