Lawrence Davis, Author of THE MONSTERS AND MEN Trilogy, Pens ‘Ode to an Editor’

An editor is the Even—as I have come to call them.

I've had the pleasure of working with like-minded people to collaborate on creative ideas. Soundboarding is all about creative and conceptual discussions, as it allows for free-flowing conversations where everything and anything is possible. The concept phase is always the most enjoyable and exciting part.

But an editor is a different monster completely.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with the same editor throughout my entire writing journey, which has been one of the most significant contributions to my growth as an author.

Rowe Carenen has helped me elevate my standard with each book, farming from the lessons and notes from my previous novels and using them as a framework for growth.

I've truly loved working with Larry. He tells great stories with such an original POV."
—Rowe Carenen, Editor and Writer

ODE TO AN EDITOR

Rowe is also a reader and a reader of my novel,
A difference I would argue is not only important,
But fundamental to meaningful insights.

She grasps how I want to tell my story,
Because of how familiar she is with my voice,
And she understands how to help me shape it.

I sometimes find more clarity in her notes than I do in my own storyboarding,
Which I think is half a compliment to her ability to structure control in my chaos,
And half a commentary on just how messy my chaos can be.

The critiques are easy to digest
When you have an editor who is so clearly rooting for you like mine is,
And over time you learn to gain more and more confidence with each new reading;
You see the profound value in each of those changes, tweaks, and rewrites.

I can’t tell you how crazy honored I am
To have a book people have taken time to read.
That I am on my third is just such a thrill for me.

I am the sum total of the people in my life,
and I’m grateful for them all.

My awesome editor,
My first fan,
I wouldn’t be able to hang my hat on the fact that
I’m now putting out a completed trilogy
without her.