#IWSG: Fear of the Unknown
Welcome to the Insecure Writer's Support Group, February 2014 edition. The group was founded by Alex J. Cavannaugh...or one of his clones, we can never be sure...and has its own website loaded with resources for writers.
It seems to me that most insecurities arise from not knowing what to expect. I've noticed it's that way with me and writing. When the story exists only on my laptop and in my mind, everything is marvelous. No insecurities whatsoever. The moment I send a piece of it out for someone else to read? That's when insecurity sets in---because I don' have any idea how they're going to react. And sending out queries? Oy. Then, even if you strike dream-come-true time and a publisher accepts, you've got to face one of the scariest moments of all...handing your baby over to The Editor. Dun dun duuuuun.
You have no way of knowing what they're going to suggest you change, what they're going to demand you change, and whether or not you'll even recognize the fruit of your daydreams by the time the editing process is over. And even if you've been through it before, the process for each story is its own special roller coaster.
So, what do you say we try to take away at least a little bit of the unknown and go straight to an experienced editor to get some answers? The wonderful Kimberly Blythe, Head Editor at Omnific Publishing has graciously agreed to do an interview at my blog. Kimberly primarily does Copy Editing, the very last step before proofreading, but she's occasionally done developmental edits, and I can tell you firsthand from my Divine Temptation experience---she's also served as an excellent intermediary between author and other editors when there are disagreements.
But here's the thing: I'm not going to ask the questions. YOU are. Anything you've ever wanted to know from an editor's standpoint, please ask away in the comments, and I'll post her answers in a couple of weeks. (I want to be respectful of her time, so depending on how many questions I get, I may not be able to forward all of them, but no worries---I've got more editors in my pocket that I will have answer any that don't get forwarded this time.)
“Top Gun Meets Battlestar Galactica” Amazon Best Seller and Pinnacle Award Winner CassaFire on sale .99 http://tinyurl.com/qaz7kxr
Aaaand, don't miss this 10-book giveaway (including Three Daves) to celebrate the release of Moonless by Crystal Collier in paperback!
It seems to me that most insecurities arise from not knowing what to expect. I've noticed it's that way with me and writing. When the story exists only on my laptop and in my mind, everything is marvelous. No insecurities whatsoever. The moment I send a piece of it out for someone else to read? That's when insecurity sets in---because I don' have any idea how they're going to react. And sending out queries? Oy. Then, even if you strike dream-come-true time and a publisher accepts, you've got to face one of the scariest moments of all...handing your baby over to The Editor. Dun dun duuuuun.
You have no way of knowing what they're going to suggest you change, what they're going to demand you change, and whether or not you'll even recognize the fruit of your daydreams by the time the editing process is over. And even if you've been through it before, the process for each story is its own special roller coaster.
So, what do you say we try to take away at least a little bit of the unknown and go straight to an experienced editor to get some answers? The wonderful Kimberly Blythe, Head Editor at Omnific Publishing has graciously agreed to do an interview at my blog. Kimberly primarily does Copy Editing, the very last step before proofreading, but she's occasionally done developmental edits, and I can tell you firsthand from my Divine Temptation experience---she's also served as an excellent intermediary between author and other editors when there are disagreements.
But here's the thing: I'm not going to ask the questions. YOU are. Anything you've ever wanted to know from an editor's standpoint, please ask away in the comments, and I'll post her answers in a couple of weeks. (I want to be respectful of her time, so depending on how many questions I get, I may not be able to forward all of them, but no worries---I've got more editors in my pocket that I will have answer any that don't get forwarded this time.)
So whaddaya wanna know?
Also, for the first time EVER Alex's book, CassaFire is on sale for only 99 cents. Only through the 10th. Here's a link & a Tweet if you want to share the great news:
“Top Gun Meets Battlestar Galactica” Amazon Best Seller and Pinnacle Award Winner CassaFire on sale .99 http://tinyurl.com/qaz7kxr
Aaaand, don't miss this 10-book giveaway (including Three Daves) to celebrate the release of Moonless by Crystal Collier in paperback!
Comments
I've been through it, so if you've too many questions, you can dump mine.
Do you ever get caught up in the story and forget you are supposed to be editing?
MORE SNOW.... I AM OVER IT! LOL. How've been. Miss you tons!
Sadly.I'm stuck here all winter... it figures, right. The worst winter in Chicago for years and I can't escape to Florida. BOOO! LOL.
GREAT idea... ask the editors. But before my question, I so understand where you're coming from with Editor's edits. As you know BG is UNDER ATTACK! My editor is making so many ehem, suggestions. Killing off characters, creating new ones, changing tense, softening the edges of characters, fleshing out characters, changing the ENDING! I mean I'm in a whirlwind and I am only two thirds through.
Yes, it's not the book I started for sure, but it is going in an interesting direction. I don't always agree with the suggestions, but over all... for those who have never worked with an editor... the experience is certainly memorable. LOL.
As soon as I finish the "final" rewrite, I have to send you the "new" version. I know you'll be shocked since you liked the original so much.
EEEK! It's almost turning into a love story... EEK again... Maybe Omnific will like it even more. LOL.
As for my question for Kimberly-- You've read the first chapter of a manuscript... what makes you want to keep reading and what would make you pass?
What common mistakes does she see most?
Thank you :)
This is a great tease for the post. I want to know how an editor deals emotionally with having to edit a manuscript that is in a hated genre or is written in a hated style. That would be tough for me!
And I'm so glad you shared Vibby with me. It's a wonderful story!
www.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Questions like "Should I have another slice of pizza?" and "If I do, where will it stop?"
My questions right now are very pizzacentric. That's because we have pizza sitting four feet away. I imagine my questions will get better in time.