My brother-in-law is writing his first novel. He’d gotten to a point where he felt stuck, so I offered to read it and talk it over. This evening he and I had an hour-long conversation about where his novel is now and what it needs to go forward. I love this type of conversation. I love reading something, then sitting down with the author and discussing it. I love being able to make concrete suggestions and then to alter my suggestions based on new information about what the author wants the story to be. I love being able to assist in helping a good story emerge from the necessary mess of the first draft. I love picking apart the structure of a story and being able to see how if I want this then that needs to shift. I love hearing the author’s voice take on the thoughtful tone which means he is now seeing his own story in a new way.
I need to make more space in my life for this. It will be several months before I can make regular space, but at least now I’m reminded that I want it.
Sounds like you have the makings of an editor. 🙂