Adventures in Editing

[Andara Bledin]

At least I never had to read "The Red Badge of Courage".

I never had to read either of those, for which I'm quite thankful. Then again, I had a literature teacher who played Iron Maiden in class while we were doing Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

I wonder how many of us here are writing books?

*raises hand*

^-.-^

[morgana]

I wonder how many of us here are writing books?

*also raises hand*

[AnaKhouri]

Working on the second book; shopping the first to agents.

[Seraph]

Ouuuuch....poor Joi. <comforts>

I know the feeling a bit too. My husband is writing his first fantasy novel....it's REALLY freaking good, but he changes tenses randomly. A lot. I was trying to edit it myself but at this point I'm just thinking of hiring an editor to handle it. I feel bad telling him myself which parts are screwy. He gets that kicked puppy look in his eyes. ><

[Evil Queen]

I'm pretending to write a book. (read: i haven't touched it in over a month). Does that count?

[Kaylyn]

*is also writing a book*

I've got a mailing list of friends that are reading it chapter by chapter as I write. These poor friends have put up with so many rewrites of the first few chapters already!

On an interesting note, an old WoW guildie sent a sample of my writing to a friend of hers who edits for a couple of well-known mystery novelists. Though I'm writing nowhere close to that genre, he said he approved of my writing style and is amazed I haven't been published. Did wonders for my ego! So I might actually have a shot!

[Andara Bledin]

Hey, considering some of the crap I've found on the shelves at Borders, I suspect that most of us have a pretty good shot.

^-.-^

[octopi23]

Joit, would you be willing to edit a lowly 16-year-old's writing?

[Seshat]

I was trying to edit it myself but at this point I'm just thinking of hiring an editor to handle it. I feel bad telling him myself which parts are screwy. He gets that kicked puppy look in his eyes. ><

He's going to have to get over that. Professional editors don't have time to coddle - I've been pro-edited many times.

What helped me was reminding myself that if my work wasn't basically good, they wouldn't be taking the time to edit me in the first place. They'd just send it back with a 'not good enough'.

But yeah - if he can't take criticism from you, he's got to toughen himself up if he's interested in being an author.

[JoitheArtist]

Joit, would you be willing to edit a lowly 16-year-old's writing?

Probably not, but if you have a few sample pages, I'd be willing to take a cursory look. The thing is, I'm pretty swamped these days, and I don't want to commit to anything I won't be able to follow through on--I HATE it when people do that to me, so I don't want to do that to anyone else.


I'm also writing a book! And re-writing two of them. Last year's NaNoWriMo novel (a 200,000 word monster) turned out really good, and all of my readers have agreed that I really should try to get it published (including my friend who edited the crap out of it). I seem to do well writing space fantasy with strong female leads. I can live with that.

(actually, I still need test readers, so if anyone wants to read about Dejah Sorenson and her daring expedition to bring back the Mars Phoenix Lander, let me know. )

[AccountingDrone]

(actually, I still need test readers, so if anyone wants to read about Dejah Sorenson and her daring expedition to bring back the Mars Phoenix Lander, let me know. )

Ill give it a shot, I am a sucker for female leads.

[AnaKhouri]

He's going to have to get over that. Professional editors don't have time to coddle - I've been pro-edited many times.

Yup- Husband is my ideal reader (as described in Stephen King's On Writing) because I know he won't pull any punches. He loves me enough to want to see me be my best (Dollhouse flashback...).

I'll read it Joi!- and I'll read anything anyone else wants me to read too. I'll provide my list of publications if you want proof I know a little bit about writing.

[Pagan]

(actually, I still need test readers, so if anyone wants to read about Dejah Sorenson and her daring expedition to bring back the Mars Phoenix Lander, let me know. )

I'd love to be a reader, too!

[Pairou]

Yup- Husband is my ideal reader (as described in Stephen King's On Writing) because I know he won't pull any punches. He loves me enough to want to see me be my best (Dollhouse flashback...).

I LOVED that book! It really helped me out when I was struggling with whether or not I wanted to pursue writing as more than just a hobby. I lost my copy before I could finish it though. :<

[JoitheArtist]

wooohoo, more test readers! Just send me a PM with your email addy, and I'll send you the book file.