Beyond the Blank Page: Glynnis Falloon on Thriving Through Editorial Feedback

I know that feeling. When you’ve poured your heart and soul onto the page, and your story is finally complete. After all those years the story that’s lived in your heart makes it onto paper. You’re so excited! You’re so nervous. There’s that fear that can be even more daunting than a blank page: sharing your work with others.

Our new author, Glynis Falloon, felt this way too. After writing her wonderful book New Friends through the Publishing Mastermind program, she was so excited. She was also a little scared. She had to send her manuscript to her editor, Sharon Jennings, who you might know from the Franklin series. Glynis told me she was “scared of the feedback.”

Glynis came to my program with a dream she’d had since she was a teenager: to publish her book. New Friends was born from her love for animals and her friends. The story is about a young girl named Katie who discovers a lost furry friend under her grandma's porch and goes on an adventure to reunite it with its family. 

Even after achieving her dream of writing the book, Glynis still had that fear of criticism and rejection. I want you to know that you are not alone in this feeling. It’s something every writer experiences and one of our biggest hurdles. After you’ve created something so magical, it’s hard to hear anyone else's opinion on it. Once Glynis pushed past that fear, she told me she felt “ten feet tall.” That's because working with an editor only makes your story stronger. It sharpens it, brings out its best parts, and lets the heart of your story shine through. This isn’t always easy, so I want to share some of my tips and Glynis's experience to help you stay brave.

Name Your Fear: "Gremlins" and "Big Bad Bullies"

When I talked with Glynis about submitting her book, she had the best way of describing her challenges. She said she had to “overcome my own gremlins that were trying to talk me out of it”. She gave a name to those inner voices that fill us with self-doubt and try to stop us from achieving our dreams. I have a name for that too: our "Big Bad Bully" Sometimes, the biggest thing holding us back is ourselves. As I told Glynis, these are the "doubts, the limitations, the fears that come up when we step into something that's different." We can be our own worst enemy.

The first step is to recognize those fears. Acknowledge them, name them, and even write them down. Then, for every doubt that tells you you can’t do it, I want you to write down two reasons why you can. You don’t have to let those doubts win. Just like Glynis, by naming your fear, you take the first step in overcoming it. Feeling fear isn't a weakness; it's a normal part of the creative process that you have the power to control.

Know What to Expect

When it comes to editing, sometimes we’re nervous or afraid because we are unsure. Editing comes with a lot of misconceptions. Sometimes not knowing or understanding what it will look like makes it ten times scarier. You might think editors are just there to correct your grammar and point out your mistakes. With our amazing editors in the Publishing Mastermind Program, like Sharon Jennings, that’s simply not true. Glynis was so nervous before submitting her manuscript that she "rewrote four different stories." She was paralyzed by fear and uncertainty because she didn’t know what to expect. A chat with her husband and her author coach gave her the final push she needed.

They reminded her that an editor's job is to provide feedback, but in a way that helps you grow. It’s helpful to understand our editors offer three rounds of editing. The first is a manuscript analysis, which is a big-picture look at your story and its message. The second is a structural edit, where they go scene-by-scene to see what’s working and what could be stronger. Finally, in the third round, they do a copy-edit to make sure your manuscript is polished and error-free. 

In our interview, Glynis mentioned that Sharon Jennings is "arguably the best children's author in Canada," which made submitting her work even more intimidating. Editors can seem intimidating, but remember, you've done something incredible too! You’ve written a book. So, focus on what you do best—writing—and let them do what they do best—editing. If you're interested in having your work edited, you can check out our Picture Book Editing Package. Understanding the process will help you make the progress your story deserves. 

Why Feedback is Fuel, Not Failure

If you look at Glynis’ author website, you’ll see something I just love: it’s called thinkpossibilities.ca. Glynis chooses to believe that good things are possible, and that’s so important when you're chasing your dreams. The journey can be full of roadblocks, but as Glynis showed, your biggest fears can lead to your greatest growth.

Despite her fear, Glynis found the courage to open that feedback. She told me, "Honestly, Sharon made me feel like I was ten feet tall. I was just floating on air when I opened up and read her feedback to me." The feedback wasn't a list of failures; it was constructive, helpful, and empowering. And most importantly, it helped her succeed. Glynis has won four awards for New Friends! You can find a copy on Amazon here and see for yourself just how wonderful it is.

Feedback is essential for success. When you work with an editor, remember that you're on the same team. A good editor isn't there to judge you; they're there to help you elevate your work. 

How to Receive Feedback Without Fear

It may be easy to see your fear and hear “don’t be afraid”, but not the easiest thing to do. Here are some strategies I suggest to writers working with editors: 

Strategy 1: Don’t Go It Alone 

Remember when I mentioned Glynis had to rewrite her story four times? Do you remember who kept her on track? Her support system! Her husband, her author coach, and a Facebook group all kept her going. Find your "village" and surround yourself with people who believe in you. They'll be there to offer perspective when you're feeling unsure. 

Glynis told me that when she connected with the program's Facebook group: "I learned that all of the other people in the group had exactly the same goal and dream that I did and we were not in competition. It was the most beautiful thing to be involved with a group of people that were holding you up and cheering you on." Isn't that the best thing you’ve ever heard?

Strategy 2: Use a "Feedback Filter"

If you're too nervous to open your feedback, ask a trusted friend or partner to read it first. It’s okay to filter the feedback a little at the beginning. After you’ve found your community, you can trust them and open up to them to help you. Don’t be afraid to reach out. They can absorb the initial emotional impact and present the editor's key points to you in a calm, constructive, and encouraging way. They will know you best, and be able to present the feedback to you in the best way. This allows you to focus on the substance of the feedback rather than taking it emotionally.

Strategy 3: Remember the Shared Goal 

Always keep this at the forefront of your mind: you and your editor are on the same team. You are working together to create the best possible book for children. Your editor is only editing your book for you. They only have the best intentions, and want to build on what you’ve created. 

Turn Your Fear into Fuel

If you’re feeling nervous about the next step after writing your manuscript, I want you to think of Glynis. If you check out her Book Launch Interview you’ll see right away you are not alone. Like Glynis, your biggest fears can help lead you to the greatest growth. Your story deserves to be told. Don't let the 'gremlins' have the last word. Name your fear, lean on your support system, and reframe feedback as the gift that it is. Embrace it and you’ll find the path you need to reach success. 

Want to see Glynis’ brilliant book? Check it out now on amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/New-Friends-Glynis-Falloon/dp/1779441916