What does copyediting, proofreading, developmental editing, and substantive editing have in common?
Only that the individuals doing these things to your manuscript are going to point out something you need to work on.
AND you're going to piss them off, as the author, because of your poor use of the English language, your wayward inconsistencies, and your total disregard for grammar rules (they seem to have some sort of fixation on the latter). That's about it.
A simple internet search on any of these terms will yield a million results (all of which would be better than my explanation so I'll leave the definitions to the internet experts). But I want to discuss 'decisions' here. Now, I'm not published so there are some (read: alot of) things I don't know and hopefully some of you reading this can help me out (again...as I learn the craft...).
When your manuscript is returned with edits, don't always take the edits as written in stone. If your editor thinks a concept...a word...a scene should be a certain way and it isn't in your vision, ask them about it. Is this not your heart on paper? Would you allow someone else to tell you how to feel? I don't think so...or at least I hope not. And if your editor gets snippy, snotty, or doesn't and isn't willing to give you an explanation for their suggestions, I SUGGEST you find another one (I recommend Shonell Bacon, by the way). Why? Because you need someone who supports your vision. And if your editor is changing your vision, without just cause then they're borderline ghostwriting, IMO. I may be wrong and I don't know how much control over edits you eventually have, but I live in lala-writer-land and my hope is whomever edits my work, believes in my work enough to edit along my vision, if my vision makes sense.
Now, I'm not talking about if you're doing something dead wrong in your manuscript. If it makes sense to you and your book, then by all means do what they ask...with a smile. But there's nothing wrong with asking questions, right?
Am I too far off thinking this?
Tune in to The Write Way #3 I Hear Voices (and they are not from dead people)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
The Write Way #2 Editors
The Write Way #1 Learn the Craft
What I hear most from published authors is (drumroll please)
While I'm 'learning the craft' and attempting to weave it into my writing, I'm finding out what I've learned and what my imagination conjures up, can't coexist...initially. Ahh, there was my problem. I'm typing (or writing) trying to pay attention to structure, flow, tense, pov, grammar, etc., etc., when, in essence, none of that shit matters. (Sorry mommy but I'm upset with myself right now) The only thing that matters when I'm putting pen to pad or fingertips to keys is my IMAGINATION. To hell with all the mechanics. Forget the comma I'm not to sure is placed correctly and, at this point, I'm loving my dangling modifiers.
Learn the craft of writing is a misleading statement. It led me to believe that the craft had all to do with writing right. But that isn't it. And I finally get it. Or at least I get a portion of it. The next time someone tells me this, I'm going to ask them what they mean. As of today, this is my process:
Rewrite the damn story for them (layer in the mechanics)
Send the hot mess to an editor (who can magically merge my imagination and the mechanics)
Decide if the merger coincides with my vision and make corrections
Leave a comment, I'd love to discuss...
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Free Books
Yeah, here you come a-running...lol I would to. As a matter of fact, I already have. Yasmin, APOOO founder, hipped her blog readers on to contests on the net where you can enter to win books. Below are the ones I've entered and you better hurry, they end soon. Click the title for instant access.
Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer
Testimony by Anita Shreve
Matrimony by Josh Henkins
Happy blog hopping
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Change is good
I can't profess to be the champion of change, but I also can't say that I'm not. How two-faced of me, right? I'm experiencing a lot of change in my life; personal and professional. And I'm welcoming it all. With so many things on my to-do list in life, I'm at the stage where I personify the Nike slogan; Just do it (insert check here)!
All the changes I'm making are difficult. But not so difficult that I can't overcome them. For instance, I'm taking tap classes. Picture that. A 32 year old woman, slightly overweight (according to medical standards, but I really have curves for days), trying to perform riffs and scuffles... But I'm doing it. As a matter of fact, I'm so determined to impress myself, that I've just finished two hours of practice a minute ago, yet my official tap lessons are on Mondays. Persistence pays. And the few pounds I need to lose, will be lost doing something I'm growing to love. Lawd knows I'm allergic to exercise. (Hush, tap CAN'T be exercise...it just can't...lol)
On a professional level, I'm moving to a different position within my agency...working with teens. No, I'm not trying to kill myself. Just trying to grow a little. It's the only population I have yet to work with. But I'm all for it.
My mommy always told me to work hard for the things I want. And I want so many things for me, for my family, for my life... So I'm working it and there's never a better time than the present.
Stay peace
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Thursday Thirteen #5...what was that u said?
This Thursday I chose to list 13 words people say that make me want to fight them
1. mouf for mouth
2. munf for month
3. teef for teeth
4. burf for birth
5. Egglanta for Atlanta (sorry mommy, but you know this URKS me!!)
6. liberry for library
7. Walmark for Walmart
8. fewt for fruit
9. ainchus for anxious
10. aks for ask
11. excape for escape
12. conversate instead of converse
13. perscription for prescription
And just for kicks I'm going to add two more: prolly/probly for probably and excetera for et cetera
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Thursday, September 11, 2008
Thursday Thirteen #4...R.I.P
Since today is a day for paying respects to those who lost their lives seven years ago, I decided to pay respect to 13 celebrities that I've loved and lost. Rest in peace...
1. Bernie Mac
2. Aaliyah
3. Issac Hayes
5. Sean Levert
6. Heath Ledger
7. Pimp C (of UGK)
8. Tupac
9. Biggie
10. John Ritter
11. Anna Nicole Smith
12. Tim Russert
13. Eazy E
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Thursday, September 4, 2008
Thursday Thirteen #3-- Oh so cute!
I decided to share with you the 13 male celebrities that only seem to look finer with time...IMO. I love 'em young and old...lol
1. George Clooney...how many ways can you say hott?
2. Morgan Freeman...you should have called me. Wouldn't have been any accidents...QQ
3. Eric Braeden..I don't even watch stories, but I've been a Victor Newman fan since I was a little girl. Can you say FYNE???
4. Kiefer Sutherland..I am attracted to the quirky types and he's just that type...lol
5. Denzel Washington...can get it!
6. Magic Johnson...can't get it but he's cute!
7. Harvey Keitel...age does him well.
8. Simon Cowell...I don't care what y'all say, he's on fyre! I'd snuggle with this ole mean behind any day!
9. Brad Pitt...speechless
10. Terrance Howard..stop drooling...it isn't over
11. Jamie Foxx..>DAYUMMMM...or Mm Mm good :)
12. Maxwell...can definitely get it! And get it again, and again, and did I say again???
13. Mark Wahlberg...he's so freaking adorable. Even when we knew him as Marky Mark...lol
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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