tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post5298956795814751818..comments2023-10-25T03:45:03.077-04:00Comments on Confessions of a Watery Tart: No No No No No! (When Edits Go Bad)Hart Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-27119769464587371982016-02-04T21:30:33.077-05:002016-02-04T21:30:33.077-05:00Having to write three coherent blurbs for a short ...Having to write three coherent blurbs for a short story trilogy I want to publish this spring.<br /><br /><a href="http://gbmjrflashy.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Father Nature's Corner</a>G. B. Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09783331838434598963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-24666350573914335472016-02-04T12:32:14.878-05:002016-02-04T12:32:14.878-05:00I'm a first time visitor here and love the ins...I'm a first time visitor here and love the insecure writers premise for the Wednesday posts! Writing IS a cruel mistress. Editing is...well, also very cruel, but the silver lining is that it should always teach us something - about our book, about ourselves, about our own process. Hopefully editing only makes us and our work stronger - and if it's not, then its time to step back and find out what isn't working. <br /><br />Nick Hornby said writing is "Sitting at a desk, staring at a sentence, and thinking you are the greatest writer in the world. And then, later that day, thinking you are the worst writer in the world - or possibly, thinking both these things within the same 10 minutes."Amy Ardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00619589616117552768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-20051179983722488422016-02-04T12:27:32.865-05:002016-02-04T12:27:32.865-05:00Yeah that is why I like beta readers they point ou...Yeah that is why I like beta readers they point out so much stuff that I may not see no matter how many times I run through it. Good luck on the editing.Brandon Axhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027731412064014586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-27308253029103468932016-02-04T11:51:49.425-05:002016-02-04T11:51:49.425-05:00I can't keep track of my own drafts let alone ...I can't keep track of my own drafts let alone yours but ahem...yep! I did my 50 thousand in November on Crooked Knife. Then I started switching it from first person to third (which I do all the time in drafts) and then realized I was stuck because I needed to finish the first draft all the way through. Yes. So back at that and trying to pretend I'm going to leave it in first so I'll just get the story down. weird.Jan Morrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12727266796590751202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-28325057005755924762016-02-04T11:03:20.164-05:002016-02-04T11:03:20.164-05:00Wow, Hart... that's a lot of editing. Makes me...Wow, Hart... that's a lot of editing. Makes me insecure about a project that I need to edit in the near future. I wish you much success in finally getting to the end. ~Lori~Ravynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16842889270339265787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-51545960403366694722016-02-04T06:15:28.944-05:002016-02-04T06:15:28.944-05:00When I get to the point of not being able to see t...When I get to the point of not being able to see the plot through the prose, I turn my baby over to my BETA readers. That run through by fresh eyes has spotted the problem I couldn't find on more than one occasion and kept me from doing open heart surgery when all I needed to do was take a Tums and tweak a scene. Nancy Gideonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07493107610530282642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-78047974149056517702016-02-04T01:38:04.866-05:002016-02-04T01:38:04.866-05:00Third time's the charm, right? You'll get ...Third time's the charm, right? You'll get there Hart :)dolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-56076629896424618942016-02-03T22:41:33.704-05:002016-02-03T22:41:33.704-05:00No matter how much I edit, something is always wro...No matter how much I edit, something is always wrong. Since I'm in college, I usually have my roommate read something over. I might think something is absolutely brilliant, but she can usually pick out something that's...confusing or just plain weird. <br /><br />I suppose I tend to just get stuck in my head. I need someone to pull me out, so I can actually write a coherent thought!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-17043729708675244302016-02-03T21:07:26.225-05:002016-02-03T21:07:26.225-05:00I've had to go back to the beginning and revis...I've had to go back to the beginning and revise my story probably a dozen times so far. Every time I learn a new technique that I should have applied to my manuscript the first time through, I have to start all over. So I hear your pain. Good luck.Chemist Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-16536455984618194232016-02-03T20:03:21.100-05:002016-02-03T20:03:21.100-05:00God, editing sucks.
I used to hate it. And I mean...God, editing sucks.<br /><br />I used to hate it. And I mean, like, REALLY hate it. Still do, mostly, except that I approach it with the following thought: Caitlin, you're making it better.<br /><br />It's the only way I get through editing. Promising myself every time I sit down, I'm improving the story, whether it's correcting grammar or finding a major plot hole and having to run back through my WIP, nearly to an entire re-write (which I did on my first book in my series. Almost stopped me from writing).<br /><br />But it didn't. And I'm a better writer for it.<br />As you are, every time you work :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-18281075955436046842016-02-03T17:30:52.452-05:002016-02-03T17:30:52.452-05:00LOL, its always easier to see without prejudice so...LOL, its always easier to see without prejudice someone else's problems in writing and in life I think. I think it might be the emotional connection with your own stuff that works as a blind spot. Some people work through this better than others. I found for myself sometimes it is learning from another person how they viewed it and determine the problem, after that they can teach me to see the problem in new way. Sometimes its just a matter of tips and tricks I never thought about or an approach. <br /><br />My biggest weakness in writng--I tend to see the whole picture, but have trouble connecting the dots. I had a friend I could tell something, as much as I had come up with, tell them the problem I was still having and they were good at spotting the A-Z (blank spots) to get to the whole picture I created. I have learned a lot from them. I hope that was understandable, but I think I get what you are saying.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.junetakey.com" rel="nofollow"> Juneta Writer's Gambit </a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> Juneta keyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08815758043024184034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-5962521365830477882016-02-03T15:09:14.577-05:002016-02-03T15:09:14.577-05:00Sounds like you have it under control. Is there re...Sounds like you have it under control. Is there really a rule about how many edits you are supposed to do before a book is complete? It might take a little longer than you planned but your book will be very well crafted when you are finished and your readers won't care how many edits it took to get there.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11271149538259398956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-82309996778397520542016-02-03T14:29:59.887-05:002016-02-03T14:29:59.887-05:00Hey, Hart,
The only thing I can think of is a cri...Hey, Hart, <br />The only thing I can think of is a critique partner or someone who's really good at stuff like that who'd be willing to read early versions of your work. J.L. Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05666634455836834179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-7484932600598419622016-02-03T14:01:30.694-05:002016-02-03T14:01:30.694-05:00Susan--that is about exactly what it take me. Low ...Susan--that is about exactly what it take me. Low to mid teens. I try to include a couple rounds of peer feedback before that, but 15ish to the copy editor.<br /><br />Em--the developmental would be between concept and line--helping spot plot holes, pacing, stuff that requires context and can have trickle effect so they need to read the whole thing. Then again I may misunderstand concept editor--I see that person as someone who helps at the outline/idea stage, but it's possible they do more than that.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-73162157535625652142016-02-03T13:21:01.543-05:002016-02-03T13:21:01.543-05:00Hmm? Developmental editor. I've not heard that...Hmm? Developmental editor. I've not heard that term before, only line, copy, and concept editor. I don't even count edits and drafts, I just keep plugging away until it reads right.Karen Baldwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-34562182711082405132016-02-03T13:06:30.692-05:002016-02-03T13:06:30.692-05:00I always print out my first drafts and then fill t...I always print out my first drafts and then fill them with ink. I've heard very successful writers say them do up to fifteen drafts before their editor ever sees a manuscript. You do as many as you need to for the story to work.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-82959700973035923582016-02-03T13:03:14.119-05:002016-02-03T13:03:14.119-05:00I know when the time comes I'm hiring an edito...I know when the time comes I'm hiring an editor. So I'll go through the early drafts myself with some beta readers first. Then hire editor because quite frankly I don't want to be an editor. I'll pseudo edit a bit then hand my baby over to professionals. Maybe you need to have an editor take a look at a few chapters for back up. Chrys Few is offering editing services and she really would not mind helping you out. Here's her latest blog post and yes it involves editing. <br /><br />http://writewithfey.blogspot.com/2016/02/new-editing-services-iwsg-articles.html?showComment=1454522284536#c7438892897049800386Sheena-kay Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17712661419116636671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-84036283169461197142016-02-03T12:20:22.445-05:002016-02-03T12:20:22.445-05:00Editing is HARD. And it's even harder to look ...Editing is HARD. And it's even harder to look at your book-baby and realize it's still jacked up, and to know you have to start from the beginning. Again.<br /><br />You're a trooper, though. I have no doubt you'll get to that end again!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11952125198101179121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-59774901025090072562016-02-03T12:09:04.181-05:002016-02-03T12:09:04.181-05:00Hi Hart. I completely understand your feelings abo...Hi Hart. I completely understand your feelings about that missing thread and adding it and then starting again. I also agree with one of the comments on a writing partner. My writing crit partner has helped me so much. She and I write the same sort of thing and we both work really hard at our work. Brainstorming with her has helped me out of the mud a time or two. You sound so motivated and I bet you will get it done and it will be amazing . Erika Erika Beebehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12899619461035583262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-47311914199154141122016-02-03T10:54:59.474-05:002016-02-03T10:54:59.474-05:00You should find a CP that can give you some of tha...You should find a CP that can give you some of that developmental help you give others.<br />Editing is the worst, and the best. Good luck!Yolanda Renéehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09085436784133103221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-10006111385043772892016-02-03T10:27:39.480-05:002016-02-03T10:27:39.480-05:00Oh Hart - I can feel your pain .. good luck and re...Oh Hart - I can feel your pain .. good luck and relax to readjust ... you'll finish it off soon ... cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-51082800812699478832016-02-03T09:41:53.104-05:002016-02-03T09:41:53.104-05:00My stuff tends to get many edits in the beginning ...My stuff tends to get many edits in the beginning but less in the end. I think it's because I go back and edit so much while I write.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-66578982817667446702016-02-03T09:27:01.454-05:002016-02-03T09:27:01.454-05:00Insecurity can make you procrastinate finishing th...Insecurity can make you procrastinate finishing the book. You will always find "one more thing" to fix. Good luck.Diane Burtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03754105332297068271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-58696254640219690312016-02-03T09:22:29.887-05:002016-02-03T09:22:29.887-05:00Well, at least you caught it before the very end.
...Well, at least you caught it before the very end.<br />I have a critique partner who I run outlines by before I start writing and he helps with the development part.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-78066423039562562052016-02-03T09:07:36.686-05:002016-02-03T09:07:36.686-05:00I feel like I'm trapped in an edit cage myself...I feel like I'm trapped in an edit cage myself! Hopefully in the end, it's worth it.H. R. Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06715450637785127208noreply@blogger.com