tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437760777983025277.post157010808507481183..comments2013-06-05T10:55:52.622-04:00Comments on The Constant Pen: Fiction Editing: Don't Touch My JunkUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437760777983025277.post-19990820624960058482011-12-03T15:54:56.026-05:002011-12-03T15:54:56.026-05:00I've been fortunate to work with two outstandi...I've been fortunate to work with two outstanding editors on my mystery novels, and a large part of my enthusiasm for their work was the fact that they commented on *anything* they found harmful to my stories. Then, I could accept their advice (more than 90% of the time), or ask them for clarification. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. <br /> Occasionally, the shoe was on the other foot. Throughout all the drafts of one of my books, to the final galleys, at one point in the story, a character quoted Fats Waller: "One never knows, do one?" But in the published book, "do" had become "does." You can't win 'em all.Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14131758760038716019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437760777983025277.post-56470101763505100212011-11-28T08:08:30.147-05:002011-11-28T08:08:30.147-05:00This is a lesser explored area of the writing proc...This is a lesser explored area of the writing process--where editing may (or may not) be welcome. To my mind the answer lies in finding that editor/author click. When the right relationship is present, even if there wouldn't be consensus, the editor's suggestions will resonate with that particular author. It can be a tough thing to find--like finding a soul mate someone once told me--but when it happens...magic.jenny milchmanhttp://suspenseyourdisbelief.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437760777983025277.post-48996281983968629022011-11-21T15:32:30.174-05:002011-11-21T15:32:30.174-05:00Nice article!Nice article!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437760777983025277.post-24133365864045302192011-11-18T18:29:56.959-05:002011-11-18T18:29:56.959-05:00Without a good editor, an author's work is mos...Without a good editor, an author's work is most likely going to suffer in my opinion. Thank you for the insight into the mind of a true professional such as yourself.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437760777983025277.post-16983983331465880872011-11-16T13:55:05.390-05:002011-11-16T13:55:05.390-05:00Thanks for commenting, Jaleta. Agree that too many...Thanks for commenting, Jaleta. Agree that too many writers are scarred or afraid. I do think perspective about one's own stuff is one of those things that builds up over time, but yeah, I've met a lot of writers who are horrified by the most gentle of editorial passes. In my experience, they are the ones with the least or the most experience. If somebody thinks writing is like daydreaming, I have no problem with that, and accept that such writers may be dear friends but will never be clients. :-)Ellen Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07080207996205754211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437760777983025277.post-54687722101519306772011-11-16T13:49:16.624-05:002011-11-16T13:49:16.624-05:00Hey Justine -- You bring up a great topic: bad edi...Hey Justine -- You bring up a great topic: bad editing by editors affiliated with publishers. I think it mostly stems from the _lack_ of training (schooling and experience) they've had and sometimes from a jaded editor-in-chief who whose pet peeve has become house style. The former happens with e-pubs and POD (sorry -- I am a big, big fan of both, but it's a fact), and the latter anywhere. I hear horror stories all the time, such as the one you mention. Indeed, I have notes for a future blog post on this topic. We should take a survey. :-)<br /><br />Yeah, I think you described the hesitation/waffle exactly. If the writing already has a ton of mechanical, grammatical, and usage issues, I don't get into the nuanced stuff, or cover it with a general comment in my critique about style, idiom, tense and word choice, and point out a few examples (problems recur, as you know, and can be summarized). But in all other instances when I'm waffling as to whether or not my reaction is a fair one, I'll flag the text, say that I'm having a reaction, explain it, and then rate it by saying that it may only be me, but that they might want to check it out.Ellen Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07080207996205754211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437760777983025277.post-52940227426913490532011-11-16T13:18:34.303-05:002011-11-16T13:18:34.303-05:00I agree that a good editor tells you what is not w...I agree that a good editor tells you what is not working well, whatever that may be. I've had a wonderful editor, and had no trouble with her suggestions - with one exception. When I used an interesting, correct, but lesser known word, she insisted that I use a more common word so as to not interrupt the flow for the reader who might have to look up my interesting word. Grrr! For some reason, that was (still is!) hard for me to accept. But I did it. That's what an editor is for.Rahima Warrenhttp://www.rahimawarren.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437760777983025277.post-10808518717720270922011-11-16T10:10:48.810-05:002011-11-16T10:10:48.810-05:00Great post. A good editor is one who will tell you...Great post. A good editor is one who will tell you what isn't working in your story. Too bad many writers take that as criticism and get angry at the editor. If your editor doesn't "get it", your readers won't either.Jaleta Clegghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05442641418941475763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437760777983025277.post-72395670144059900432011-11-16T08:55:28.042-05:002011-11-16T08:55:28.042-05:00I have such mixed feelings on this topic. I have ...I have such mixed feelings on this topic. I have had editors (and I'm talking mostly about those connected to publications to whom I have submitted a short story) who were terrible, and by terrible, I mean obsessed with petty, formulaic corrections. (Quotation phrases such as "he said" must ALWAYS come ahead of the quote, for example.) I've also had editors who were wonderful, and gave me valuable feedback that triggered an "ah-hah!" experience. As a writer, I don't think any kind of criticism is taboo. If what I'm doing isn't working, I want to know it. On the other hand, some editors are molded by the training they have had, and one can almost tag the workshop or school by the sort of feedback they provide. They can't edit outside the box.<br /><br />Substantive editing has to be the trickiest business in the world. One has to walk the line between stylistic standards and literary innovation. Speaking as an editor (mostly of non-professional work) I'll confess I sometimes waffle over bringing something to the writer's attention because I can't decide if it doesn't work, or just doesn't work for me. Maybe that's where the taboo comes from, as a way for an editor to step back and let the writer conduct their bizarre experiment. One never knows if it's going to prove to be hailed by critics as an innovative sensation, and thus one gets caught as the damn fool editor who didn't see it.Justine Graykinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00077921895869750887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437760777983025277.post-80873923452848940152011-11-16T08:17:34.047-05:002011-11-16T08:17:34.047-05:00Nice article, Nellie--but as you say, just the tip...Nice article, Nellie--but as you say, just the tip of the iceberg. I have several times discussed the idea of writing a two-sided article about the editorial process with my clients. Never followed through on it, mostly because I don't think it's socially acceptable (yet) to admit you have a writing coach. Sometimes I get emails telling me the best things I've every said, and invariably, it's something philosophical, not specific to a story or problem.Ellen Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07080207996205754211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437760777983025277.post-33435407792242030482011-11-15T22:24:08.025-05:002011-11-15T22:24:08.025-05:00I'm an editor, too. In an effort to capture th...I'm an editor, too. In an effort to capture the editorial process for people who have never experienced it, I sent out an open call on Twitter to writers and asked them to share their experiences with professional editors (not their uncle or fifth grade teacher). I only got a dozen or so responses, but here is the piece: http://tinyurl.com/3huzstkAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08728005755355663460noreply@blogger.com