tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post3715256641178047374..comments2024-03-28T10:41:26.999-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Pitfalls and Pratfalls of EditingDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-53053819600849333522010-04-23T21:44:24.423-06:002010-04-23T21:44:24.423-06:00My day job is as a chief copy editor, and one of t...My day job is as a chief copy editor, and one of the first things I emphasize with staff members is that "style" is not a moral issue. Little is absolute right and wrong; rather, most style calls are simply matters of internal consistency. On debatable points, houses should simply weigh the evidence, make a call and stick to it.<br /><br />If you happen to be in the unenviable position of establishing style at a publishing house, my advice is to read widely and not be too dogmatically beholden to any single bible. "The Elements of Style" is often useful. It's also a contradictory, wrongheaded mess. Same with AP. (Though, I must say, my biggest gripe with AP is not necessarily its positions but its utter inability to reflect those positions in its own copy. But I digress.)Craig Lancasterhttp://www.craiglancaster.net/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-81940545729993829772010-04-23T07:21:42.273-06:002010-04-23T07:21:42.273-06:00I actually find it a huge relief to know standards...I actually find it a huge relief to know standards vary. I have a journalism degree, and was SURE I knew most of my stuff, but have had first readers make certain changes. I think so long as we are consistent on some of this stuff, so they can tell we are following an acceptable standard, rather than not having a clue... then we yield to whoever the decision maker is on what we end up doing in the end...Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-7604065377931591912010-04-22T21:52:15.057-06:002010-04-22T21:52:15.057-06:00I'd go with the person who represents whatever...I'd go with the person who represents whatever publisher I have a contract with, unless the difference doesn't make much sense. Then I'd have to politely ask the editor to reconsider.<br /><br />Morgan Mandel<br />http://morganmandel.blogspot.com<br />http://facebook.com/morgan.mandelMorgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-86122876576430042742010-04-22T19:28:48.631-06:002010-04-22T19:28:48.631-06:00Two editors sitting next to each other in the same...Two editors sitting next to each other in the same publishing house will add and remove the same commas in a manuscript. More important are the house rules regarding treatment of numbers and internal dialogue and other such things. Every publishing company has its own quirks, usually established by whoever is in charge at the moment.L.J. Sellershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-76171150612343125842010-04-22T19:15:21.149-06:002010-04-22T19:15:21.149-06:00That happens. I think different people can have di...That happens. I think different people can have different view on how to "manipulate" the language.<br /><br /><a href="http://steamyfantasy.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow"> In Quest of Theta Magic</a>Enid Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12248877161249788607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-71976072243186771032010-04-22T12:46:50.324-06:002010-04-22T12:46:50.324-06:00Susan, charm works well with editors. I've eve...Susan, charm works well with editors. I've even had clients charm me. :-)<br /><br />The important thing to keep in mind is that style does - or should - rule when it comes to fiction. For instance many mysteries are written with sparse wordage and often incomplete sentences. A grammatical nightmare for an editor who only looks at proper usage. <br /><br />And to me, rhythm is the key to style. What breaks the rhythm isn't right even if an English teacher says so. :-)Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-15448133534138824772010-04-22T12:25:10.886-06:002010-04-22T12:25:10.886-06:00I've found when there are conflicts between &q...I've found when there are conflicts between "house" style and freelance editors, I usually go with the flow, unless the flow somehow interferes with the rhythm of my work. I've been lucky enough in my 12 books to almost always have editors who understand and respect the quirks of individual writer's voices. And in the case of the times when I wasn't that lucky, I've spent the time to explain what works best with my particular writing voice. So far, that's charmed my editors. ;~)Susan J Tweithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07672965940786234043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-36012434195561826682010-04-22T11:33:11.100-06:002010-04-22T11:33:11.100-06:00These days punctuation and grammar, especially in ...These days punctuation and grammar, especially in fiction, seem to be more about voice and style than technical accuracy. The rules are getting blurry. <br /><br />If I do a first read on a manuscript, I always tell the author that no matter how many suggestions I make, a publisher's editor may see things differently. As a matter of fact, any two agents or editors may disagree. It's still best for the author to use a professional reader or editor before submitting to an agent or publisher.Patricia Stolteyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17192369425956406122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-91410618739567044962010-04-22T10:14:15.031-06:002010-04-22T10:14:15.031-06:00Excellent post, Maryann. A freelance editor does s...Excellent post, Maryann. A freelance editor does so much more than check grammar. You're right, there are always quirks between freelance editors and editors in different houses. And I say, yay! <br /><br />HelenHelen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-20646797959969869692010-04-22T07:23:05.759-06:002010-04-22T07:23:05.759-06:00Interesting post; how this works in the world of f...Interesting post; how this works in the world of fiction writing.<br /><br />I have similar problems and challenges when writing science papers; first with 3 reviewers who often have different opinions (on both science content and writing styles), then with the associate edior, and finally with the copy editor who only looks at language and style. The copy editor usually improves the language, I admit (English is not my first language). However, sometimes the langauge editing introduces changes in content (e.g. conclusions), which I cannot accept ... no wonder it takes forever to get these damn papers printed and published >:)<br /><br /><a href="http://cold-as-heaven.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> Cold As Heaven </a>CA Heavenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07558100567878233142noreply@blogger.com