tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post2669796189116903441..comments2023-09-05T12:51:25.656-05:00Comments on edittorrent: Re comments about revisionEdittorrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295505709568570553noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-40437305018528767132009-05-20T11:09:20.128-05:002009-05-20T11:09:20.128-05:00You got it!:)You got it!:)Riley Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15817930302085699222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-45976526695505417502009-05-19T21:21:08.360-05:002009-05-19T21:21:08.360-05:00Yes, the corsage line.
But I do expect to be ackn...Yes, the corsage line.<br /><br />But I do expect to be acknowledged. :)<br />AEdittorrenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14295505709568570553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-53526054266387181772009-05-18T14:18:00.000-05:002009-05-18T14:18:00.000-05:00Hahaha, Alicia! Can I use the corsage line?
And ...Hahaha, Alicia! Can I use the corsage line?<br /><br />And JT: Yup...I um, just handed mine in and I can tell you that I haven't stayed up burning the midnight oil this consistantly since I was in college. Well, now that I think about it, I was burning something else back then...those were the days (Insert a huge sigh here). <br /><br />But JT, seriously, the best of luck with your revisions:).Riley Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15817930302085699222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-73443893489536256072009-05-17T23:50:00.000-05:002009-05-17T23:50:00.000-05:00LOL Alicia! :) Thanks! I was just curious, and ...LOL Alicia! :) Thanks! I was just curious, and that makes sense to me. <br /><br />JTJulie Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02880895598847092028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-78618018130955186712009-05-15T16:21:00.000-05:002009-05-15T16:21:00.000-05:00JT, I'm sure that's happened, as a matter of fact!...JT, I'm sure that's happened, as a matter of fact! I don't think I'd care all that much. It seems such a waste of emotion to take these things personally. Usually (not always-- there are self-destructive types) writers are doing what they think is best for their careers, and who am I to tell them they're wrong? Until we have a signed contract, I figure neither of us have a lot of obligation to each other. Be polite and do what seems right, and what else can we expect?<br /><br />When I make suggestions to improve a manuscript, that's what I'm doing. The author isn't under any obligation, anymore than I am. We have to be sensible about this situation. It's free advice. Take it or don't, but when I offer it, it's a gift. (That means you shouldn't go off fuming that I had the temerity to suggest changing anything.:) If you want to take the corsage and go off and dance with someone else, that's okay. <br /><br /><br />You can, of course, acknowledge my help in the acknowledgments in your book. :)<br />AliciaEdittorrenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14295505709568570553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-42404383406966982072009-05-15T11:56:00.000-05:002009-05-15T11:56:00.000-05:00Bwha! You too Murphy? I feel like I've fallen of...Bwha! You too Murphy? I feel like I've fallen off the planet while doing my revisions. *G*<br /><br />I haven't had a chance to really dig into this topic (as timely as it is) but it struck me the other night at 2 am... How would the publisher feel if - after three or four or five rounds of revisions and helping a non-contracted author -- that they pulled said revised MS from your consideration and after all that help and sold it to someone else by using all the revisions and help you gave them?<br /><br />I don't know why that question popped into my head. I guess I was curious about the "from the other side of the fence" scenario.<br /><br />...okay, that question actually made sense at 2 am. Hm.<br /><br />JTJulie Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02880895598847092028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-52960254295619037142009-05-13T11:59:00.000-05:002009-05-13T11:59:00.000-05:00I think there are some really brilliant points her...I think there are some really brilliant points here! Professional vs 'creative' professional, I never thought about it like that before and this may be true. When you create something its close to your heart and emotions so its hard to rememeber to be professional when someone is telling you that it isn't good enough. This is where expectations come in to play. If you expect to have to work harder, even after you go to contract, (Murph, I liked your example of going into a company with certain expectations and this should be no different) then I think the agent/editor/author relationship will be better prepared to have a meeting of the minds over content.<br /><br />Always a pleasure to read this one.<br />And Em, I told you she couldn't stay away;).Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11703292678697973295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-57645746237532992582009-05-13T11:12:00.000-05:002009-05-13T11:12:00.000-05:00Sorry that was so long, but I hear writers moan so...Sorry that was so long, but I hear writers moan so much about agents/editors (and vice versa). I think it's all about good communication and expectation setting.PatriciaWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04572087157439187319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-71367576297195662292009-05-13T11:11:00.000-05:002009-05-13T11:11:00.000-05:00I don't think it's so much that writers don't want...I don't think it's so much that writers don't want "unproductive" feedback. In fact, I believe most writers would welcome any feedback that will help them to grow and move closer to their goals.<br /><br />As others have pointed out, I think its about expectation setting. Writers understand that different agents/editors want different things, and they're willing to do the work that either moves this particular relationship forward (contract) or moves their writing as a whole forward. Unfortunately, most writers will believe that each round of revision is moving them closer to contract. Not getting one will result in disappointment at best.<br /><br />It's hard for a writer to know what to do. General stuff like holes in the plot or POV, a writer can get and will want to fix. But, wholesale changes that shift the tone or focus of the story might work for you but not for another agent/editor to whom the writer tries to submit after not contracting with you. <br /><br />To be fair, it would help the writer to know whether you intend to move his relationship with you forward (contract), or are just trying to help overall. If your interest in contracting is not strong enough to do so, but strong enough to give feedback, the writer is a bit in limbo. Perhaps he could better spend his time working with an agent or editor who has a stronger desire to work with him. On the otherhand, perhaps he'll miss out by not doing the work you suggest.<br /><br />I get that you need to be sure, especially with new writers. So your expectation setting has to be adjusted so that there is clarity about what might happen (or not) and why.<br /><br />What's a writer to do?PatriciaWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04572087157439187319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-19250904908896379622009-05-13T10:25:00.000-05:002009-05-13T10:25:00.000-05:00Em...
I had added something to the effect that "H...Em...<br /><br />I had added something to the effect that "However, this is a business and if I want to be published, sometimes I might need to balance the my story vs revision thing but deleted it.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15060752369115661100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-91775003477423780212009-05-13T08:37:00.000-05:002009-05-13T08:37:00.000-05:00Yes it's a business, driven by the creative proces...Yes it's a business, driven by the creative process of the individuals who work in the industry. That brings a bunch of ego - on both sides of the table. Most editors I know are writers to. They have their own creative thoughts about a story. Is it their desire to get the best story for the purpose of the business or is it their writers ego that gets in the way. This would explain why some stories fall apart during the revision rounds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-2725147832161195262009-05-13T08:14:00.000-05:002009-05-13T08:14:00.000-05:00I agree with Jean as far as it's 'MY' story idea b...I agree with Jean as far as it's 'MY' story idea but as Murphy says, it's a business. Which makes me wonder. Does the creative element in all this create the huge grey area? I can probably say that better and I'm drawing a blank. I do know that I would like constructive critism, after I've taken the time to send something in. PLEASE!:)emhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02680468150513341426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-49946270468984046532009-05-12T22:02:00.000-05:002009-05-12T22:02:00.000-05:00Holy crap Batman! Just came up for air ( from doi...Holy crap Batman! Just came up for air ( from doing revisions all day) so this is a perfect subject to find on your Blog. Thanks Alicia, for giving the other perspective on the revision ‘process’. <br /><br />For me? The most important thing that you said is:<br /><br />I'm employed by my publisher, not by the submitter, and my job is to bring to contract only manuscripts she'll want to publish-- not to reward writers for their hard work with a contract.<br /><br />As a writer I always remind myself that this is a business. And like all businesses there is a certain level of expectation that comes with hiring a professional ( yeah, you’re a profession - as a writer you are being hired to create a specific project for a particular purpose. There’s form, style, count - just to name a few things, to take into consideration, right?) . Now, speaking strictly of the non- publishing industry - when I land a job at a firm, I don’t go in the next day and say wow, I’m glad that’s over. I go in with the expectation that there’s knowledge to be gained and work that needs to be done to increase productivity or sales or whatever. So, (insert me tapping my lips here) What’s the difference in the mind-set between how a creative professional and a professional view a business? Is it that the professional seems to enter a company empty handed bringing only himself and expertise and the creative professional enters into a publishing contract feeling like they’ve given up something already? All their hard work? Their creative brilliance beautifully typed and agonized over - so somehow they feel they have more say in how it’s all going to work? Probably. But, at the end of the day, both are still BUSINESSES and should be treated as such. <br /><br />For me, I tell anyone who reads my work, I want to know where the weakness are. Cause let’s face it, you can be stroked all day long on what’s working - but if you don’t understand what’s not - you’ll never grow or improve.<br /><br />Boy, it was great to find this tonight!:)Riley Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15817930302085699222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-33257071700552012332009-05-12T21:42:00.000-05:002009-05-12T21:42:00.000-05:00If you want those comments and feedback, how about...If you want those comments and feedback, how about a short "line" in your cover letter?<br /><br />Something like...Thanks for your consideration. Any comments you have would be (totally, seriously, thoroughly) welcomed. <br /><br />On a more personal note...I'd be grateful for any suggestions that'd improve chances at publication, since that is the goal. However, I'd always remember it's "MY" story and someone else's ideas may not be what I had in mind.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15060752369115661100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-29590529393995645022009-05-12T16:35:00.000-05:002009-05-12T16:35:00.000-05:00I'm getting the idea that many authors don't want ...I'm getting the idea that many authors don't want un-"productive" advice (that is, advice that isn't going to come with the product attached-- the contract)? <br />That's okay with me-- saves time-- but the teacher in me thinks that's sort of a shame. <br /><br />Let's say you're an author who DOES want advice, who is happy to go 10 rounds and will learn from each, who is (as we comp teachers say) more focused on the process than the product.<br /><br />How would you go about making that clear, that you want as much feedback as possible?<br /><br />AliciaEdittorrenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14295505709568570553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-41128353200648803772009-05-12T15:47:00.000-05:002009-05-12T15:47:00.000-05:00Well, you already hinted at the solution.
The firs...Well, you already hinted at the solution.<br />The first case you mentioned is not problematic: you do your one revision round, and then you know how things are.<br /><br />The second case is the trickier one. But well, just be open. I know authors are vain, I know nobody wants to hear about his flaws, but if I had submitted a manuscript and you'd tell me "I like your voice and I like the story, but there is this POV problem which I consider fundamental. We would be happy to evaluate your manuscript again after you have fixed it"- well, in this case I'd know exactly where I stand. I wouldn't consider this revision as a first round with you, but as one I'd have to go through anyways. <br /><br />In the other case, if after one or two revisions you are still unsure about me as an author, I would probably come to the conclusion myself, that you and I do not really belong together... no matter whether I have published anything before or not (I, personally, have not)<br /><br />It's like consultancy. My boss used to say, you have the clients that fit you. I suppose it's the same with authors and editors.MrsMusicnoreply@blogger.com