EDITORS UNEDITED: Rosie Walker

Rosie has been with us for less than a year, but it only took one editorial report to prove that she’s got the goods. She works on psychological thrillers and women’s fiction, and if you receive a report from her, you’ll certainly be thrilled with the result.  

Purple picnic benches, detailed characterisation, and more are discussed in this interview:  

Q: So that we can learn a bit about you, tell us about one writing-related thing you’re proud of, and one non-writing related thing you’re proud of.  

Writing-related: I’m just about to finish writing the first draft of my third novel, which was a long time in the making due to scrapping the initial version at about 40,000 words. It was a hard decision, but the best one for the book.  

Non-writing related: I recently painted my picnic table a resplendent shade of purple, which brightens up the garden in a wonderful way and makes me smile each time I see it. A good decision, and now I’m considering painting other household items in cheery colours!  

Q: What brought you to the world of writing? What keeps you writing?  

I wanted to write ever since I was a small child. I kept a (very embarrassing) diary throughout my childhood and often wrote stories – particularly ghost stories and mysteries inspired by Nancy Drew, Famous Five, Secret Seven and Goosebumps!  

As an adult, I initially discounted writing as a viable option, but I just couldn’t find a job that I truly loved in the same way I love writing and editing. I finally gave myself permission to pursue my dream and I’m so glad I did: every working day is a joy.  

Q: Tell me about what you’re currently working on.  

My third novel is currently called ‘One Hundred Days of Darkness’.  

Miriam has just had her second baby, and something doesn’t feel right: her five-year-old daughter Erica is behaving strangely, and Miriam is convinced she heard a voice speaking to Erica through their baby monitor. Soon, Miriam feels like she’s being watched all the time, and her world begins to unravel. Her husband thinks it’s a resurgence of the postpartum psychosis she suffered with her first baby, but Miriam wonders if her husband might be setting her up to make her seem like she’s having a breakdown. She’s terrified her kids will get taken away. What’s he planning, and can Miriam prove she’s sane before it’s too late? 

Q: You’ve just received a new manuscript to critique: what’s the first thing you do? Walk us through your editing process.  

I want to approach the book exactly like an ordinary reader, so I don’t look at the synopsis until the very end. No spoilers here! The first thing I do is bury myself in the opening pages, as I often can’t wait to get stuck in. I immerse myself in the language, the atmosphere and the plot, making sure that the story starts right from the very first page. I focus on what’s working well to keep the reader turning those pages, and what’s needed to make this book the very best it can be. As I read, I flick between the manuscript itself and the editorial report form, making notes as I go. By the time I get to the end of the book, I often have pages and pages of notes that I tidy up (and shorten, as I always write too much!) into a (hopefully) coherent, informative and encouraging editorial report.  

Q: How do you manage being on the other side of the editorial process – when your own writing is being edited? What should an author who is receiving critique for the first-time be aware of? 

Receiving editorial feedback always stings a little, no matter how many times you’ve gone through the process. I think every writer secretly dreams that the feedback will say ‘This is perfect! Change nothing!’ and anything other than that is a small blow. But it does get easier each time. It’s important to remember that every published book has been through editorial feedback and it always takes more than one person to write a finished manuscript: getting critique and feedback is a normal part of the process and doesn’t say anything bad about your writing abilities.  

After taking the time to process the feedback, it can be a delight to engage with suggestions for how to improve. Often, feedback chimes with something I’d also been ruminating on in the back of my mind without realising, and it just takes another set of eyes to make that clearer. Editorial feedback is a gift. 

Q: What writing do you get most excited about working as an editor on? What really makes you intrigued by a submission?  

I love when the characters feel like they had a rich, detailed life before they walked onto the page. They have memories and pasts and a whole story that went before this: to me, that is a huge sign that this writer is one to really take notice of. And another sign to me that I’m working with an excellent writer is when the story begins on the first page and the novel opens on the most interesting day of that character’s life so far.  

Q: What do you read for pleasure? Is this different to the writing you enjoy working on?  

I read a lot of psychological thrillers, which is the genre in which I write. But sometimes, when I’m tired or need a break from the tension and twists, I immerse myself in women’s fiction: romance, rom-coms and epic love stories. If two characters want to be together but can’t for some reason, I’m in! The more heartache, the better! And of course, a happy ending.   

Q: Finally, if you could only give one piece of advice to all aspiring authors, what would it be?  

It’s totally normal to ‘write your way in’ to a novel, but your second draft should make sure that pre-work is invisible to the reader. Work out where your story really begins and make sure that happens on your very first page. 

Is your manuscript ready for a professional critique? Rosie W is one of 70+ Jericho Writers editors, so we’ll always find your perfect match.    

Head over to our editing hub to see the services that we have on offer. Not sure which service to opt for? Drop an email to info@jerichowriters.com and we’ll be happy to discuss which service would be right for you and your manuscript.