As I mentioned in a recent post, my editor, Brenda Copeland, has given me back my manuscript, all marked up with red dots and lines and little symbols, and I’ve been working on revisions.
This is my third book and third editor. It’s always a little scary having another person read your work and then make suggestions about changing parts of the plot or the structure of sentences. I’ve been working on this book for a long time and parts of it are several years old. I’ve reread and reworked certain paragraphs so many times that I now have them memorized. So, when I first sat down with Brenda’s notes and started rewriting, I felt a little anxious. When I read certain passages, after deleting a word or even a comma, the sentences sounded off. No, I kept thinking. There’s something wrong with the flow. It was better before.
Then I would read the passage aloud. This is the best way to determine whether a sentence works or not, and once I read the revised sentences, I realized that they were better. Every time. I realized that they just seemed off because I had become so accustomed to reading them the way they had been written, and now they were different. Not worse, just different. Actually, better. Then the revisions became easy. After the first two chapters, I stopped examining each suggested change and measuring it against its former incarnation, and I just made the changes. I’ve been very blessed that this was the case with my former editors as well. Once I got the sense that they understood the tone and the writing, I was able to trust that their notes, and the changes, almost invariably enhanced the writing.
I do have a few things that I’m not sure about and and will discuss these with Brenda. With my previous books, though they were vastly improved by my gifted editors, there were a couple of changes that I agreed to and then always regretted. One of them, in my first book, was in the chapter that I usually read aloud at book readings and I always fumbled reading that page. I had agreed to delete a paragraph that my editor thought was superfluous, but I had really loved the paragraph, felt it added to the story, and now I missed it. It was like a phantom limb. I still felt it there and always got messed up trying to read that section without it.
But I always learn so much during the editing process. This time, Brenda has had to point out my tendency to use run-on sentences, my inability to know, sometimes, when to end one thought and then introduce another, preferring instead, to just accumulate commas and “ands,” tossing in em-dashes–a real favorite of mine– gaining momentum all along until finally I’m galloping headlong, completely out of control, stretching the sentence to within a hair’s breadth of the snapping point. As I have just demonstrated. Here.
Which brings me to another bad habit I’ve developed. This is something I think I’ve picked up from the internet.
People do it on Twitter.
All. The. Time.
They (we) think it’s clever to use fragmented sentences to add humor. Or something. This is fine if you’re tweeting, but sort of lame when you’re an author. Of fiction. Adult fiction. Young adult fiction needs this kind of thing, but when you’re my age and you write like that, it’s kind of like wearing an outfit that’s more suitable for your daughter.
But whatevs.
I’ve been working at The Eyesore because it’s nice and peaceful here. I took the photo at the top of the page when I first sat down to my work. Here’s my workspace an hour later:
I write like I speak…so I’m awful at it.
It’s great that you can put your ideas on paper to share with people. I wish you continued luck.
You. Crack-me-up. Thank you! Can’t wait to read the book, happy writing.
I’m sure you don’t remember, when I first started to follow your blog (couple years ago) You had asked for us to write a little something about ourselves, I had said that I wanted to be a writer, wanted to write about my childhood. I have started this long and exhausting process. Who knew it would be so hard to relive parts of your life you tried so hard to forget! Anyway..whatevs
Mmmm….French press…
Wow, Jodi, I forgot about that entry. Will look for it and post a link here. We’ll have to do it again for all the new people, and also for the “lifers” to update us on what has changed since then. Let’s do it tomorrow!
No one is youer than you!
Beautiful serene place to work. good choice. All i could focus on, in the second picture was the food, the piece of crusty french bread, i became ravenous, I am a. Pig. The.End.
Oh, the bread! Fresh from a local bakery. With cheese from a local dairy. Heaven.
DELISH! YUM!
Glad to hear the new book is coming along nicely. And a clean desk interrupts the thought process of creativity… that is my personal opinion of course, but whatev
If you are staying at The Eyesore tonight, keep an eye on the weather. This end of the Universe is getting freezing rain
I had quite a nice, detailed comment to add, and then I clicked on the second photo to get a better look at the contents of your table. Then lost the comment. Whoops.
Anyway….a) I love your table and b) thank you for sharing your writing and editing process – I’m doing some writing and editing for eventing now, and I’m realizing how much I need to learn about my own writing style and how best to diplomatically edit the work of other writers. Following in my mother’s footsteps!
I’m also re-reading An Innocent right now…which chapter is it?
i was just thinking the same thing. what chapter…. and will you share the paragraph that was removed?
I don’t remember the paragraph anymore. It was in the first chapter. I guess it’s no longer a phantom limb.
Are those your socks on the table? LOL!
Yup
I’m an em dash addict.
I was wondering the same thing as JoAnn. Ann’s still life….with socks?
That seems like a mighty big piece of bread for little you. What a great view from your desk.
I want to know how you can eat bread and still be so in shape? Can’t wait for the book!
I’m a breadie. Love my bread.
me, too. sigh…. if i could, i’d make every meal a carbeque.
Bread is my bestie
What’s on the blue plate, far right of pic?
I had a great writing teacher in college who said the editing process is the most painful part. You sometimes have to cut sentences that are soooo good. He said to always write those cut sentences in a journal to keep them. That way you can maybe use them in another piece or at least feel they live on somewhere. Loved your phantom limb analogy.
I just read this yesterday…. tips for authors being edited. Thought they were really great. (Not that you need help from a complete stranger…but hey, we’re all here to help each other – yes?)
http://redroom.com/member/lauren-lise-baratz-logsted/blog
Thanks Carol! These are great.
Bev, Your post made me laugh out loud! The food caught my eye too!
Anne, I make my coffee in a french press every day, everyone else seems to be doing keurig, glad I am not alone!
Is the french press easy to use? I have always wanted to try one of those but shy away. How easy is it to use?
I put the coffee in then put in the boiling water. I let it sit while I am doing other things a few minutes and then push it down and it is done! It is a bit of a pain to clean, especially since my husband doesn’t want me to let any coffee grounds go down the drain (we have septic), but I just scrape it out with a spatula and rinse. They do break every now and then though, from use. They usually last me a few years.
Easy and nothing tastes better.
Hahah Laura! where in NJ are you? I just moved to Jerzey .
As an artist, I start out with canvas and paints…then I get hungry…then thirsty. Nice to see someone else’s table looks like mine!
Hi Ann – Great to hear about Brenda’s work from a writer’s angle. Love her, lover her work. (Also a fan of French presses and creative mess.)
Ok, now my comment needs an editor – love her, LOVE her work.
Brenda is my editor too and I’m awaiting my edits! I’m even more excited now that I’ve read your post.
I feel like we’re siblings, Amy!
I’d love to feature you on my Women’s Fiction Writers blog if your book(s) fall somewhere under that broad umbrella. Take a look. You’d be in great company!
http://womensfictionwriters.wordpress.com/2011-wfw-interviews-guest-posts/
And yes, it’s always nice to meet an author-sister.
Ann, I was reading your post, and following along nicely, enjoying your story. I even identified with the never-ending sentences, and dashes, and lots of “ands”, until I came upon the photo of that beautiful, golden, doughy, crusty loaf of heaven. Now I’m hungry, like Bev.
No more edible props, please!
Aislinn nomm nomm nomm nomm
You all crack me up … I too quickly became focused on the bread! And the cheese!! nomm nomm nomm nomm
Nothing better than baguette and good cheese! I would have added a glass of red wine though! Funny how we’re all focusing on the food.
Jane, where can I sign up?
Esterel, Quebec! That’s where my cottage is! Amazing view on the frozen lake with a nice warm fire. I can compete with Ann anytime!
Your work space is wicked awesome!
I would love to write a book one day. I have a stack of letters from my great aunts and uncles written to my grandmother after she immigrated to Canada in 1948 with my grandfather and my mom and uncle that would be a great source of information for a family based novel. Currently, I am taking a creative non-fiction course and am learning a lot. I enjoy reading about your experiences with the writing process. Your are an inspiration to me and I love the socks!
For those of us aspiring to or in the process of writing our first books, do you have some tricks of the trade or wisdom to reveal? Is a literary agent necessary?
Jodi, I think publishing has changed and is changing so much now that electronic book sales are starting to take over. I’m not an expert but there is a TON of information on the internet about getting published with and without agents. Agents are very important if you want to be published by a mainstream, well-known publisher. A good agent will know who to send your book out to, etc. Many people are self-publishing now, though, with good success, and you would not need an agent for that.
Thank you. How does one find a reputable agent? I’m at a point where I don’t know if I should continue, if it’s good enough. My husband has read some of it and of course he says it’s good but he also knows the characters already. I have about 10,000 words so far.
Jodi, if I may throw in my 2 cents, Poets & Writers Magazine–if you’re not already reading it–is my first and best recommendation to all things writerly.
And you can probably find back issues at your local library #winning
Best of luck!
Thank you so much Denise
I haven’t seen nor heard of it!
It must be so difficult to be told to ‘delete a paragraph’ that you know is important to keep or to make changes to a sentence that you know should not be changed. Out of curiousity….what happens if you say ‘no’ to the changes? Or after a lengthy discussion, you/the writer, say the paragraph must stay…does a third party get involved?
PS Talk about run-on sentences and using dot….dot….
In the instance I cited above, I agreed to the change, even though part of me felt it wasn’t right. I believe if I had said, “the paragraph is really important, I’d like it to stay,” the editor and I would have had a conversation about it and it might still be in the book. Editors usually have good reasons for their changes and I’m usually grateful that they are making the book better.
The “Eyesore” must be an ideal place to re-work your book. There are apparently no distractions there, even from loved ones, and you can read aloud at any volume or intonation. You can even leave cheese and bread at snout level without losing them while you stroll the floor.
Hope you are saving the favorite paragraphs as future inspiration, whether they ever make it to print or not. They are obviously important to you and could be a trigger for some future work.
Your write beautifully in English, Tweetish, and Facebookish, so I’m looking forward to “The Good House.” I loved your first two books and can’t wait for this one.
Btw, we saw “Two if by Sea” last night. There’s another language altogether!! Zany fun and old home Boston stuff. Lol.
Denis fly fishing?!?!?!
Carbs are a natural anti-depressant for me. Bring on the bread.
Hello Ann fans!
It been awhile since I commented
Did you miss me?
Ann, the edit process must be grueling
I know I am such a delicate flower when it comes to criticism I couldn’t handle it
I cry,cringe, and pout for days if someone corrects my grammar on a comment.
I can’t wait to read your new book!
Ps I am a grandma now if you want to see he’s on my blog:)
Tammy,, Welcome to Club G!! Your grandson is adorable,, congrats.
Can I go completely off topic for a moment to share something? 3 times in less than a week, I have seen a bald eagle at one of the reservoirs near my home in northeastern NJ. Though I have seen them several times before, it is thrilling each time I see this majestic bird in the wild. I cannot stop thinking about it.
So exciting, Maureen! Think there’s more than one?
Carol, I’m not sure. I have been scouring the internet for information, it seems that if there are two, they are mates and will nest. I have heard reports that two eagles migrate to this site every winter, but this is the first time I have actually seen one. The first time I saw him, he was flying, and I saw him perched in a tree in the same spot two days in a row. I’ll post again if there is anything worth reporting.
Carol, I passed this spot this evening, and there were TWO bald eagles sitting together on the same branch. There was another very large bird in the same tree, above them. I think this was an immature bald eagle – I have learned that they do not get their white feathers until they are 5 years old. The two together had unmistakeable white heads. I have also learned that eagles mate for life. The two together were sitting so close to one another, it looked very intimate, though it sounds strange to say that about birds, but it just did. So now, my over active imagination has conjured up the idea that this is a family, the immature one being offspring from a prior year.
These birds were very visible from the road, IF you were looking for them, which I was. Every time I have seen them, I can’t help but be amazed by the number of cars just passing them by, completely clueless to the fact that this rare treat, our national symbol, was right there if they just looked.
Maureen, that’s awesome! And you don’t need to worry about noticing animals’ interactions around me. More people should realize that animals do think and have feelings. Those people would have to slow down a bit and open their eyes though.
We lost one of our horses last month. His stable mates fretted at the sight of his ordeal–and visibly grieved his loss for nearly two weeks.
Please keep us posted re the eagle family! Fascinating fun if they nest there!
Have you been riding?
Somehow, though I can’t quite articulate it, sightings of bald eagles and reworking notes from editors into a manuscript seem to go together perfectly.
I should’ve ended that sentence with the thing I most edit on new/young student manuscripts: the . . . meant to indicate great portent or that soap-opera level of dramatic emotion