I got my first chapters back from my editor. Wow! She's not afraid to say it how it is. Not only that, she feels quite comfortable giving me advice. Obviously. She commented on the same things many of my readers had. But my attempts to fix the problems in the first two chatpers had fallen short!
Well, Allie was quick to tell me how I could redeem myself. What a project! I can hardly wait for the boys to go to sleep so I can get started. I'll tell ya, I keep forgetting we've already signed a contract. Reading over her comments, my heart froze within me, my blood ran cold, and I thought, "Oh no! They're never going to request a full!" And then, "Oh yeah. They've already read the whole thing and agreed to publish it!"
It definitely cushions the blow.
I had one of those nights last night when I couldn't sleep. How perfectly frustrating. I stayed up late revising a friend's story, and then went to bed because I couldn't keep my eyes opened anymore. And then couldn't sleep. I kept thinking, I should just get out of bed and work on my book. But I was too tired to think about my book. So I just wasted my time tossing and turning.
My little ones are waking up. I'll get some work done during their naptime--provided I'm not napping too!
Showing posts with label revising. Show all posts
Showing posts with label revising. Show all posts
Monday, July 20, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Assigned an Editor
Yesterday I was assigned my very own editor. Her name is Allie, and I feel like I already know her, thanks to the communications we've had since my submission. Other than William, who first requested my manuscript, Allie is the one who has emailed with me.
Now that I have my editor, the fun really begins! Here are snippets from Allie's email, which is respectful, courteous, and encouraging. I can hardly wait!
I have been assigned as editor for your work, "Walk Beside Me." I am excited about your wonderful ms., and together we will make it absolutely as good as it can be.
I like to do everything electronically, so I'll need the ms. emailed to me in Word. I'll make notations, email it back with suggestions for rewrites/revisions, and you will do your part and we'll go back and forth like this until it's done. You can email me any time with questions and comments, and I'll be fairly prompt in reply.
Please don't be dismayed by excessive notations on your ms, or by how long this can take. It's no reflection on your ability as a writer, it's simply the process of revision that can be quite tedious and lengthy. WiDo has high standards for what it publishes, and does not put anything out until it is completely and thoroughly edited.
I've already emailed my manuscript to her. Next she will begin marking it up and I will begin improving it. Yes! It's going to be awesome! After that we will begin discussing where we can add in our detectives and what not to change the demographic.
Rip it up, Allie! This book has to be stellar! This is where I get to watch someone take my diamond in the rough and make it shine.
Now that I have my editor, the fun really begins! Here are snippets from Allie's email, which is respectful, courteous, and encouraging. I can hardly wait!
I have been assigned as editor for your work, "Walk Beside Me." I am excited about your wonderful ms., and together we will make it absolutely as good as it can be.
I like to do everything electronically, so I'll need the ms. emailed to me in Word. I'll make notations, email it back with suggestions for rewrites/revisions, and you will do your part and we'll go back and forth like this until it's done. You can email me any time with questions and comments, and I'll be fairly prompt in reply.
Please don't be dismayed by excessive notations on your ms, or by how long this can take. It's no reflection on your ability as a writer, it's simply the process of revision that can be quite tedious and lengthy. WiDo has high standards for what it publishes, and does not put anything out until it is completely and thoroughly edited.
I've already emailed my manuscript to her. Next she will begin marking it up and I will begin improving it. Yes! It's going to be awesome! After that we will begin discussing where we can add in our detectives and what not to change the demographic.
Rip it up, Allie! This book has to be stellar! This is where I get to watch someone take my diamond in the rough and make it shine.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Branca Chapter 11
So I'm plowing through Branca, trying to get a chapter done a day before I abandon edits on this book for a few years. Yesterday I redid chapter 11. Really wasn't too bad, since it was mostly in Branca's POV. The little bit that was in Dejan's POV, I just deleted. Works just fine w/out it.
But I added another romantic scene between Branca and Dejan. I think it was necessary to help concrete the relationship between the two of them. To really show the agony our Prince Charming feels at not being able to be with her. And I really like this new scene. It adds a whole nother level of depth to our leading lady.
Today I get to work on chapter 12. This biggest issue I'm going to have in this chapter is Branca's rival, Bara. At first I had decided to cut out her POV as well. Now I'm not sure. There are some interesting scenes that we see through her eyes. I don't think I can incorporate that information or those feelings through Branca's eyes, and she is the only other POV character in this chapter. It gives some relevant information, like how the mirror became a magical object, and how Bara comes to discover about Branca and Dejan's relationship. This could be interesting.
But I added another romantic scene between Branca and Dejan. I think it was necessary to help concrete the relationship between the two of them. To really show the agony our Prince Charming feels at not being able to be with her. And I really like this new scene. It adds a whole nother level of depth to our leading lady.
Today I get to work on chapter 12. This biggest issue I'm going to have in this chapter is Branca's rival, Bara. At first I had decided to cut out her POV as well. Now I'm not sure. There are some interesting scenes that we see through her eyes. I don't think I can incorporate that information or those feelings through Branca's eyes, and she is the only other POV character in this chapter. It gives some relevant information, like how the mirror became a magical object, and how Bara comes to discover about Branca and Dejan's relationship. This could be interesting.
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