Funny. I wrote the title, “How I Met My Editor,” and kept thinking … what does that remind me of?

You just thought of it, right?

How I Met Your Mother.

Yup. This isn't that. Although it was a funny, romantic sitcom, this isn't that at all.

This is a wonderful memory for me.

I had been stressing about finding an editor. My Work In Progress (WIP) was done … kinda. But I knew it needed help. I contacted a couple editors, but since I had no experience with any of them I didn't proceed.

I bought the book, Writer's Market, back in maybe 2010 or 2011. They are published yearly and filled with listings for agents, publishers, editors. There is one for children's market, novel and short story, general authors. I earmarked every entry that pertained to my work and genre.

But each time I pulled that huge monster of a book off of my bookshelf, I know I heard God say, “Put that back. I've got that. Go write.”

Wha?

I got used to putting it back. Finally trusting Him.

I'd go write. Hence, at that time I had written six novels. Now, seven–plus three trilogies in progress.

Back to how I met my editor!

My first short story was published in the second issue of Splickety Magazine and consequently, I had connected with the editor, Ben Erlichman, now Ben Wolf. Followed him on the usual social media. There were posts about a new conference that year but I didn't think I was interested. It was for horror/sci-fi writers who were Christians.

I know. But, give me a minute. Isn't some of the Old Testament, in the Bible, about gory battles? Check out Mike Duran's website. He is a Christian who has explored horror in his writing, both on his blog and in his books. One especially. Christian Horror. Check out his other books–I love his fiction.

But, back to how I met my editor!

The conference is Realm Makers and worth every penny. You should check it out.

There must have been a reason I kept hearing about Realm Makers, why I was drawn to it and I'm not a horror writer or reader. However, I do read Steven King's book, On Writing, to learn about his writing. I have read some of his fiction–a little bit and it freaks me out sometimes. (I guess that's his point!)

So I drove to St. Louis–I love a road trip. It was the first year for the conference–I like small. And it was less expensive than most other conferences–I'm cheap.

There I was, the first morning–well the only morning–it was the only day of the conference. Anyway, I visited with other attendees, when a lady sat in the empty seat next to me.

I knew who she was–Kathy Tyers–and what she'd written–“Kathy Tyers is the author of the Firebird series – Firebird, Fusion Fire, Crown of Fire, Wind and Shadow, and Daystar – of the stand-alone science fiction novels Shivering World, Crystal Witness, and One Mind’s Eye – and the Star Wars universe novels Truce at Bakura and New Jedi Order: Balance Point.”–from her website. (Update–it has been announced that she is the 2019 Christy Award winner for Shivering World in the Visionary category!)

I'd even slipped into the back of the room at one of her sessions at another conference, years before. Even remembered what she taught. Writing beats.

And here she was beside me. We got to know each other and when she said she was also a freelance editor, my antenna went up.

Lord, is she the reason I'm here?

So, I pummeled her with questions.

How does this work? How much do you charge (remember, I'm cheap!)?

She asked about my story and said she would work with me.

As a result, I consider her a friend–a friend who is honest (“We know!” Kathy'll get that!) about what needs to be corrected. She suggests, yes, and I have the option to revise my manuscript or not, but I'm paying her to recommend the change, so why wouldn't I?

She has edited a couple of short stories, three novels and two nonfiction for me.

So, here's the deal–do you think, for a minute, that I would have approached her if God hadn't sat her down next to me that day?

Yeah.

God's got it.