tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post2315920866573800746..comments2024-03-28T10:41:26.999-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Editors Know NothingDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-65906969088611536512011-09-09T11:41:24.927-06:002011-09-09T11:41:24.927-06:00What a wonderful point of view you express here, H...What a wonderful point of view you express here, Helen. To add one more thought, it's the very reason I suggest my developmental edit clients go elsewhere for proofreading--by that point, I too am overly immersed in the project.Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-44679213004016576342011-09-09T10:58:27.608-06:002011-09-09T10:58:27.608-06:00Norma, do you write P.I. characters? You have skil...Norma, do you write P.I. characters? You have skills to track someone down!Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-14972356161447116432011-09-09T09:56:33.624-06:002011-09-09T09:56:33.624-06:00Star, we might turn your question into a month-lon...Star, we might turn your question into a month-long exploration because there are various paths to becoming a professional editor. Thanks for asking!Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-43572345443500216612011-09-09T09:02:56.745-06:002011-09-09T09:02:56.745-06:00I found a great editor. She edited my first ms, pa...I found a great editor. She edited my first ms, paid for by the small publisher who accepted my book. That book ended up as an EPIC finalist, so we did okay. Then, when I decided to self-publish my second, I tracked her down. (I told her I was stalking her.) And she found ways to improve my "perfect" ms. It's the only way to go.Norma Husshttp://www.normahuss.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-72127816383261914752011-09-09T06:09:39.598-06:002011-09-09T06:09:39.598-06:00Lol, cute and informative article. It tickled this...Lol, cute and informative article. It tickled this editor's fancy. <br /><br />"I know nothing!" I'll scream that at clients. Lol. Just kidding. I will NOT, but it could be funny...Lauren @ Pure Texthttp://www.pure-text.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-66340782255313723412011-09-08T21:59:53.440-06:002011-09-08T21:59:53.440-06:00I've always had the *best* editors (including ...I've always had the *best* editors (including you, Dani!)... and I always listen carefully to what they have to say. :-)Ann Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06348291444414701054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-73942862902433342702011-09-08T21:19:00.091-06:002011-09-08T21:19:00.091-06:00And don't send your manuscript to an editor un...And don't send your manuscript to an editor until you've gone through it two or three times for your own fixes. <br /><br />When you think it's just right,then send it along. Unless you're a genius, you'll be surprised to find it isn't as perfect as you thought.<br /><br />Morgan Mandel<br />http://www.morganmandel.com<br />http://morganmandel.blogspot.comMorgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-41243468736662126472011-09-08T20:19:00.097-06:002011-09-08T20:19:00.097-06:00So true, Heidi. Even editors need editors.So true, Heidi. Even editors need editors.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-25361384552355686272011-09-08T17:56:36.757-06:002011-09-08T17:56:36.757-06:00Right on, Helen! Even though I'm an editor mys...Right on, Helen! Even though I'm an editor myself, I need a fresh pair (or more) of eyes to go over my manuscript before it's ready to go. You just get too close to your own work to see what needs to be done.Heidiwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593338979995203659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-32451917590285090172011-09-08T14:10:29.253-06:002011-09-08T14:10:29.253-06:00I look forward to the time that I'm ready for ...I look forward to the time that I'm ready for objective eyes to look at my work. I'm inching forward and this post has made me realize even more how important a good editor will be.Lizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170701034715108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-9631515350147927602011-09-08T12:35:30.572-06:002011-09-08T12:35:30.572-06:00I'm that way, too, Maryann. I love finding a s...I'm that way, too, Maryann. I love finding a sentence or paragraph that just takes my breath away!<br /><br />Gayle, check in your area for an editing class. Sometimes local writing groups will give them. <br /><br />Christopher, as we say in Texas, you're a hoot. You not only CAN handle the truth, you're very funny.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-18459074665530503972011-09-08T12:06:55.155-06:002011-09-08T12:06:55.155-06:00Christopher, you make an interesting point that ne...Christopher, you make an interesting point that needs to be explored. Is it "the truth" you can't handle or the way it's presentd?<br /><br />I work with a lot of writers, and their manuscripts range from atrocious to a hair's breadth away from outstanding. In both cases, I commend what they've done, make suggestions about changes I feel would benefit the manuscript, and explain the reasons why those changes are essential. Never do I tell writer that a work is horrible because I'm a writer, too; I'd be crushed if an editor told me that. But facing the truth in the sense that the editor is on your side, a silent member of your team whose sole purpose is to make your work shine.<br /><br />I'm going to share with you a true case that proves this point. Some years ago, a writer came to me for a proofread of his manuscript. It was very, very badly written. With the thought in mind of creating a marketable book, I did (with his permission) an edit of the first chapter. He went ballistic. After informing me in succinct terms that he had an agent and a publisher waiting for his wonderful story, he paid me for my services. I never heard from him again. Recently, however, I happened upon his book online. He'd self-published it.<br /><br />Who was loser here? Me? No. He paid me very well for the few pages I edited. He was. Obviously, that agent and publisher evaporated after they received his "finished" product. What could have been a facinating, well-written book in his genre will never appeal to readers. By extension, those readers are losers, too, because he had a good story line. However, its presentation screamed "amateur," and his "facts" (it was historical) were all wrong. Impossibilities peppered his scenes, and his credibility as an author died before it took its first breath of life.<br /><br />My suggestions: Interview editors, ask for a sample edit to see how they handle both your work and you, and believe in yourself and your ability to write a great book (even if it's with the help of competent, caring editor). <br /><br />You as a writer and as a person are unique. Your perspective, your stories, and your heart deserve the opportunity to be heard through the pages of a quality book. Please don't sell yourself short by not using an editor because you're attached by an uncuttable umbilical cord to your words. You deserve better than that.Linda Lanehttp://www.denvereditor.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-31156660592914736082011-09-08T11:47:54.363-06:002011-09-08T11:47:54.363-06:00I enjoy editing myself (not my own work, I hasten ...I enjoy editing myself (not my own work, I hasten to add) but other people's work. How does one become a professional editor? I'd be interested to know.Stella Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06699491230987143490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-9349220548213241352011-09-08T11:32:36.332-06:002011-09-08T11:32:36.332-06:00Very good point regarding the need for someone wit...Very good point regarding the need for someone with a "fresh pair of eyes" to tell you the "hard truth". I can see how knowing nothing works to the writer's and the editor's advantage.Angela Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03324366495151363782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-50315297406985248262011-09-08T10:24:01.046-06:002011-09-08T10:24:01.046-06:00Great reminder about the importance of "fresh...Great reminder about the importance of "fresh eyes", especially from a professional editor. I agree with all you said, but will be honest and admit I am sometimes jealous of things my clients have written that are pure gold. I do tell them how nice that passage is, but part of me has just that little twinge of "gosh, I wish I had thought of something that clever." I have the same reaction when I find a gem in a published book, a phrase or sentence I want to read over again, just to savor the beauty of the writing. Those little twinges are what prompt me to work just a bit harder to try to create my own little gem.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-71909920447129347532011-09-08T10:20:27.036-06:002011-09-08T10:20:27.036-06:00I can't handle the truth.I can't handle the truth.Christopher Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667548312923348614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-35411456504974080332011-09-08T10:16:37.949-06:002011-09-08T10:16:37.949-06:00Thank you for making such an important point, Hele...Thank you for making such an important point, Helen. It's vital our manuscripts get seen by someone who's never experienced its evolution. What matters it what it is now, not what it has been.Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-60557711301169153662011-09-08T10:16:06.555-06:002011-09-08T10:16:06.555-06:00Aw, you two girls are cute
I think you're both...Aw, you two girls are cute<br />I think you're both great writers<br />and I love following you on FB<br />In April, Pat is going to a Writers Convention in Henderson, NV. I"m hoping to get some 'editing' advice from them as well<br />Wish there were "editing classes"<br />one could take<br />enjoy your day<br />an avid fan! Gayle<br />newportinvestigations.blogspot.comporkysgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11781395979353985721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-4017135575654546932011-09-08T09:51:41.183-06:002011-09-08T09:51:41.183-06:00I don't usually have a whole lot to mark on yo...I don't usually have a whole lot to mark on your manuscripts, Morgan!Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-83661833854773724912011-09-08T09:22:18.614-06:002011-09-08T09:22:18.614-06:00I have a really great editor - Helen Ginger! Thank...I have a really great editor - Helen Ginger! Thanks for all your helpful suggestions to make my manuscript better. I learn from what you say, plus get nudges about things I knew but somehow manage to forget.<br /><br />Morgan Mandel<br />http://www.morganmandel.com<br />http://morganmandel.blogspot.comMorgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00885472833094930724noreply@blogger.com