tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post5250653636717517368..comments2023-10-25T03:45:03.077-04:00Comments on Confessions of a Watery Tart: Run for the Castle AaaaagggggghhhhhHart Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-35077516866501497392009-07-27T21:08:23.165-04:002009-07-27T21:08:23.165-04:00Editing does feel that way, a true Sisyphean task....Editing does feel that way, a true Sisyphean task. You're always running away from the French, I'm pushing a boulder up a hill, and just when I think I've got it done, it rolls down and I have to start all over again. That's the main reason to get a book published (it certainly isn't the money or acclaim!)-- to know that you are really finished with the thing.Pat Bertramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07029664976723092097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-59333667778872362162009-07-27T20:47:41.368-04:002009-07-27T20:47:41.368-04:00Man, I think you've got a problem I'd like...Man, I think you've got a problem I'd like to have. I can turn my amount of words into a haiku at the drop of a hat. I LOVE editing down. Send me your manuscript and I'll send you mine and you can fatten it up. As if! Oh well- just a thought. When I'm editing down I feel like I'm reducing a sauce to make it one intense thingy. Only I need way more words to do that. Alright, I'll stop being jealous and get to work on mine. Quite a process neh?<br />Jan (aka Crazy Jane)Jan Morrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01771180344305042855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-13763477615389287942009-07-27T18:05:10.340-04:002009-07-27T18:05:10.340-04:00Galen and Elizabeth-thank you both so much for the...Galen and Elizabeth-thank you both so much for the feedback, and Galen, HUGE thanks on suggestions.<br /><br />I toyed with a little while with the idea of breaking it apart, but it is really a single story. It is the wording thing I am struggling with now. I can make it shorter with really precise language, but that is what brought up the 'no longer me' feedback. My VOICE needs a little more to it. I don't think I'm hugely verbose, but I tell the tale from four characters perspectives and the wording provides important clues as to who is perceiving at the moment.<br /><br />I am carefully currently identifying agents who've had big successes with long first works (my first choice would be Amy Williams, who represents Elizabeth Kostova--the Historian is a really long first work and she managed a 2 million dollar sale on it). I've only got one chance there though, so everything needs to be PERFECT before I dive down that road, but there are a few successful long first works every year. <br /><br />At this point, I think I'd rather sell another work before losing my style completely. This one just won't hold up at less than... say 140K. And that is my writing style--my next 'hot one' planned will also be long, so I think I am just better off finding an agent who is up to it, even if it is harder to do.<br /><br />Call me stubborn...Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-21928492508193390952009-07-27T08:52:17.571-04:002009-07-27T08:52:17.571-04:00Hi Hart...you've clearly got a good vision for...Hi Hart...you've clearly got a good vision for your story. I'm thinking about Rowling, who had the entire plot in her head from day 1, but broke it down into 7 (I think?) books. I don't know if that would work for you (and, clearly, it would be a huge amount of editing), but it's always a thought.<br /><br />Best of luck,<br /><br />Elizabeth<br /><a href="http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> Mystery Writing is Murder</a>Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-67796088350011752532009-07-27T08:38:36.514-04:002009-07-27T08:38:36.514-04:00Very interesting post. I’ve seen several good pos...Very interesting post. I’ve seen several good posts about this topic. ES Craig wrote one about book length. The Blood Red Pencil…I think…wrote one about revisions and an organized plan for same. (Which it sounds like you’re doing, by the way.)<br /><br />I think you’re exactly right about word count…at or near 100K is probably the magic number for new authors…and that only avoids the automatic rejection machine. So, if that’s true, what could you do?<br /><br />Well, first, I feel your pain. While that’s comforting, it doesn’t move the editing-ball forward. So, may I humbly offer a couple of thought: <br />• Is your work one that might be made into a series? You could break it into two parts—or more. <br />• Is it possible to excise complete chapters, maybe combining the information in two or more chapters into one, smaller chapter. <br />• How about tight sentences? I’m sure they’re tight now, but I mean super tight. Even one extra descriptor per sentence can pile up the word count pretty quickly.<br /><br />Re-reading this, I hope it doesn’t sound preachy or know-it-all, these are just points I’ve read elsewhere…I don’t practice them myself, you understand, I just heard tell they’re good ideas. <br /><br />Revision can be fun. You see your work coalesce into the object in your mind’s eye. I hope you’re having just a little fun at it, anyway.<br /><br />Best and respectful regards, Galen<br /><br /><a href="http://www.galenkindley.com/blog" rel="nofollow">Imagineering Fiction Blog</a>joe doaks-Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05283066862112820202noreply@blogger.com