First, do no harm to the language

As a child, I loved listening to the tales spun by my uncles, aunts, godmothers and godfathers. So it is no wonder I grew up to become a story weaver myself. A few years ago, I wrote my first novel using only my storytelling DNA and the talent that God gave me. Surely, that was enough. Or so I believed -- until I met an editor.

Surprise does not begin to cover what I felt when I received my first editorial letter, along with my manuscript covered with red marks. After all, I had sold thousands of books in just a few months. Surely, my editor was not aware of my accomplishments.

After I picked my ego off the ground, I realized the truth. Although my readers had been …