Musings Of Two Creative Minds

I was hoping to avoid this issue, but there is something I wish to address.

Now, with the release of my first novel I’ve gotten good reviews… really good ones.  But there has been one recurring issue namely “errors”.  Now first off, I am not afraid to admit they exist.  There are grammatical errors and whatnot in the book and I’ve done 3 corrections of the entire novel already to eliminate as many as possible.  In the new 2nd edition, there are still some, but from what I’ve been told they are not a lot… thank the heavens.

On the other hand, on FB and elsewhere I’ve had well-meaning people suggest or offer their ‘professional editing’ services.  They bring up the importance of putting out a good product, that it’s my introduction to the audience and world, and how you should never put out a book that isn’t polished to perfection.    And I agree.  It IS important to make sure the story/book you put out is as polished as you can get it.  And I thought I had at first.  I’d had English teachers and people with good eyes catch a good 90% of things I’d overlooked.  But there were still errors that got past all of us.

Yet the words… “A professional editor would’ve caught all of that” comes up fairly often.  So why didn’t I get one.  The answer is simple.  I’m living in poverty.  Every dime my wife and I get goes to keeping a roof over our heads, paying for expensive medicines for our asthma and other chronic health issues, and putting food on the table.  We’ve been surviving on loans and help from family for the last few years, while Helen (my wife) tries to get her B. A. Degree.  I got a A. S. degree a year ago, but that hasn’t helped me on the job front. Most places now want a B. A. for even lower level office work.

I started writing partly to keep my spirits up when everything fell apart  while I was doing estate, which led us to this situation.  And when I finished my novel, I tried my damnedest to get it edited through the avenues available to me.  But I could not, and still cannot, afford to get it redone “professionally”.    And for that, I apologize.  But luckily according to the latest reviewer who gave me the 5 stars, she had the new improved 2nd edition, there aren’t that many errors any more.  And it doesn’t disrupt the flow of the story or the enjoyment of it.  And the fact that all the earlier reviewers still gave it 4 and even a 5 star rating, means I did something right.

I hope by the time my 2nd novel “The Ship” is ready, I can get some more professional editing done.  But if I can’t I’m just going to work twice as hard to make sure the final product is in even better shape than my first book.   It sucks to be in my position and we’re doing what we can.  In time, things will improve.

So I ask everyone who picks up the book, to please forgive its shortcomings.  And for those who are professional editors, please don’t keep offering services I cannot afford or saying how much better the piece could be.  I’m fully aware of it and reminders don’t always help.  Because they don’t just let me know it’s not perfect, it reminds me even more where I’m still at.

How J. K. Rowling managed to get Harry Potter and his friends professionally edited when she was struggling just as badly, I don’t know.  Maybe her publisher helped.  I don’t have one, just myself Createspace and Smashwords.  And they charge a pretty penny as well.

Sorry if this entry is a little bit of a downer, I just wanted everyone to understand why’s and wherefore’s of what I’ve created.  I will try and to better in the future.  And when I can afford it, my work will get the professional treatment.  Until then, bear with me and thanks for all the continuing support.  Please help spread the word that “THE BRIDGE” is out there.  The fact that this book has earned 4 and 5 star ratings, even with its ‘warts’ tells me I’ve created something special.  And I’d like to see it flourish.

If you wish, here is my website where folks can find links to all the different formats of the book, as well as news and updates on the sequels under way:

http://allankrummenacker.wix.com/allan-krummenacker

Thanks again all of you for coming and reading this blog.  And for all the support you’ve given me.  I’ll try to make the next entry more upbeat.  Take care and happy reading everyone.