Question for the authors and editors out there

I definitely want CPs who "get" me.  Having one that doesn't is death to a writer.  They will destroy your voice and everything that makes you special, not to mention your confidence.  Many editors have said that taking too much feedback will suck the life out of a MS.  I think the same is true by having a CP who isn't on the same wavelength.

As for editors, well, they won't buy you if they don't "get" you.  That doesn't mean the editor who gets you won't leave and hand you over to someone who doesn't.  I know many authors have been in that situation before and it is never fun for anyone involved.  But I think the editor/writer relationship is a little different than the writer/CP relationship.  With an editor you need to figure a way to work through it if you want to continue selling to that line or publisher.  A CP is just providing an opinion that could be good or bad for your career.

Well, I guess I'm thinking that if an editor didn't "get" Stephanie Plum, and in turn, Ms. Evanovich tried to change the work, she'd lose what made Stephanie Plum so popular in the first place.  

I think writers have to come to grips with the fact that not everyone is going to love them.  If you've got something that works, you can't destroy that by trying to pick up all those other readers who have different tastes. 

I understand where you're going with this, and think that there's benefit to it, but only if nobody seems to "get" you.  If you're a writer who can't seem to generate any interest in your writing via contest results, submissions, etc., then maybe you need to stop listening to that one "fan" who loves you (most likely your mom) and get some other opinions.  But if you're generally in a spot where things are working for you--editors are showing interest, the contest results are good, or you're published and sales are good, then you're better off working with people who will encourage you to continue to do what's working as opposed to seeking out those people who don't care for your writing and trying to please them too.

Granted, I know I'm contradicting myself between this and my other post about bad reviews.  But one has to do with storing nuggets of feedback from readers and slanting your writing toward those things people seem to be responding to as a whole.  The other is actually having a working relationship with someone who doesn't care for your writing style.  The former can possibly help a writer improve, the latter has the potential for destroying it.

Note, I say has the potential.  It's not a guarantee.  But I have to say, I've been in CP relationships where the person involved handed out lots of bad advice.  It's not a good situation to be in and doesn't help the career one iota.

Though others might have had different experiences, and I'd love to hear them.  As always, Sadhbh, you come up with the best questions!!

They have to get you.  My cp gets me.  She knows WHY I've done what I've done, and she also knows if it's not working and will tell me so.  She gets my voice, my trains of thought, and IMO it is better because she'll tell me if I'm off, or point out that I did such and such earlier, she knows my bad habits and rides my butt, and reads with a clear eye.  If i had a CP that didn't get me, It would only result in an exercise in frustration.   Not only could it be the death of a career, but the death of something I am very passionate about...the joy of writing.

CP's and editors can get your writing, and still be objective about it.  They can see what is of value and what needs adjusting.  That is why a good cp and editor are worth their weight in gold.

FWIW I am still "new" as I've only sold 8 books, but I can't ever imagine writing without my cp's keen eye and insightful questions.  She keeps me on my toes. 

Donna

Thanks Sadhbh for another good discussion blog.  Also thanks to those that stopped to comment.  As you all know I am not a writer but these discussions are interesting.  The hard work that goes into writing any book makes me appreciate the joy in reading that much more.