Another Me

Toronto is my life in a parallel universe. Hotel room to myself, lots of events, meeting other writers and editors, uh, drinks . . .. 

I just had lunch with Anne Collins, my editor, Amanda Lewis from Random House Canada, and Lynn Henry from Knopf Canada. It featured an abundance of kale, and a set of tiny desserts on a platter, which hit me straight in the heart. The rustic wood platter looked like it could have been out of one of Daniel Boone's cabins, too.

Even better than dessert was the talk about the difference between writing and editing. Two different skills, and it's rare to be accomplished at both. We discussed how editors can see what the writer is trying to make, often before the writer herself can--editors are able to look through the weeds, as Anne put it, to the shape of the thing itself, rusty and hidden as it may be. We went on to talk about the way some authors need to see the story before they begin (these are the people who map things out on the wall with post-its), and some need to write out a big mess before they can see the story (that's me). 
 
I feel unbelievably lucky to have had such generous help with my book--Anne for all her careful work on the drafts, Amanda for picking it out of the pile in the first place, my agent Denise Bukowski for her belief, and now Lynn for her insights. This isn't just the BC wine talking. Cheers.

Amanda, Anne, and me after lunch