tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post5363561845104077234..comments2024-03-28T06:59:34.982-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Ask the Editor Free-For-All is Today!Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-7999689177550817482011-05-04T13:23:10.139-06:002011-05-04T13:23:10.139-06:00Re types of editing: I usually lump it together, l...Re types of editing: I usually lump it together, line-editing (punctuation, grammar, typos) along with story flow, character development, etc. If there is a lot of work to be done in rewrite, then another proofreading pass may be necessary.Heidiwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593338979995203659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-16967270657925281222011-05-04T11:21:11.357-06:002011-05-04T11:21:11.357-06:00My brother pointed out that my hero gets a cup of ...My brother pointed out that my hero gets a cup of tea from his wife and then in the next paragraph finishes his coffee. Later in the book, said hero takes his wife to the bedroom, then does it again two pages later. Well, I guess a guy can't do that too often!Bob Sanchezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08350825385315155962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-85258364475111328072011-05-04T08:37:50.528-06:002011-05-04T08:37:50.528-06:00Adding to Morgan's response to Bob: Typos are ...Adding to Morgan's response to Bob: Typos are a fact of life ... I'm pretty sure my tombstone will read RIQ.Christopher Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667548312923348614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-54336729995336862832011-05-04T08:20:12.602-06:002011-05-04T08:20:12.602-06:00Thank you, Helen!Thank you, Helen!Jagged Edgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01435493375198558451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-23051192992576343502011-05-03T21:22:43.716-06:002011-05-03T21:22:43.716-06:00Thanks Kathyrn. I appreciate the help.
Cheryl
ht...Thanks Kathyrn. I appreciate the help.<br /><br />Cheryl<br /><br />http://ccmalandrinos.comCherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03470069911115912344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-53207896883466813392011-05-03T20:26:22.376-06:002011-05-03T20:26:22.376-06:00Thanks!Thanks!Virginiahttp://virginiapilegard.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-31736802079759301682011-05-03T19:31:12.631-06:002011-05-03T19:31:12.631-06:00Don't use expressions from your own youth like...Don't use expressions from your own youth like "none of your beeswax." So totally lame. That's probably passe, too. <br /><br />Also, when it comes to YA, be sure you check phrases at http://www.urbandictionary.com <br /><br />Because. Just because. :)Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-84983018943705321692011-05-03T19:28:04.321-06:002011-05-03T19:28:04.321-06:00I can tell already we need more research and posts...I can tell already we need more research and posts about CreateSpace. If you know writers adept at using it, let us know! They can guest post.Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-678674243905892242011-05-03T17:52:39.456-06:002011-05-03T17:52:39.456-06:00Bob,
If it makes you feel good, no matter what, i...Bob,<br /> If it makes you feel good, no matter what, it seems it's a miracle if no error appears in a book. That includes traditional publishers!<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-20996249085725446942011-05-03T17:25:44.635-06:002011-05-03T17:25:44.635-06:00(Oops! Made a typo so deleted my post and am repos...(Oops! Made a typo so deleted my post and am reposting it here)<br /><br />Virginia,<br /><br />Re: When to use "which" and when to use "that": The Chicago Manual of Style has a lengthy explanation, but the short answer is "which" almost always needs to be preceded by a comma, whereas "that" is almost never preceded by a comma. <br /><br />Here's an example: "The hotel that we stayed in was expensive." vs. "The hotel, which was in Manhattan, was expensive." <br /><br />And by the way, the Brits use "which" where it's considered incorrect in North American usage. <br /><br />For more detailed explanations on that vs. which, see Garner’s Modern American Usage, pages 782-783; and Chicago Manual of Style, 5.202, page 230.Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-83605007003041985292011-05-03T17:23:11.546-06:002011-05-03T17:23:11.546-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-10462023633019133712011-05-03T16:59:05.763-06:002011-05-03T16:59:05.763-06:00I recently published a novel entitled Little Mount...I recently published a novel entitled <i>Little Mountain</i> using CreateSpace. Despite my best efforts, a couple of tiny errors showed up--after publication, of course. I'd like to fix them but I'm afraid CreateSpace will make my book unavailable for a while, because if I send a correction they will send out a second proof. Do any of you have any experience with this? It isn't critical, but I'd like to get it right.<br /><br />Bob Sanchez<br />http://bobsanchez1.blogspot.com where I'm blogging about the book.Bob Sanchezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08350825385315155962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-28773693010731987812011-05-03T14:57:40.714-06:002011-05-03T14:57:40.714-06:00Mary Jo:
Just wanted to say what a great question ...Mary Jo:<br />Just wanted to say what a great question this is! I see you already have many good suggestions here, but there are so many answers—answers that reveal a lot about the craft of writing—I'm going to make this a topic of a future post!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-3519251364396534022011-05-03T14:46:09.189-06:002011-05-03T14:46:09.189-06:00Cheryl:
All you need to do is create enough contex...Cheryl:<br />All you need to do is create enough context so the reader can intuit the meaning. Kids are particularly adept at this, as is evidenced when they try to use a word in a sentence that they don't know how to pronounce-- they know the word only from reading it.Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-90143063408392474742011-05-03T13:28:04.662-06:002011-05-03T13:28:04.662-06:00Hello everyone. It's been a little while since...Hello everyone. It's been a little while since I've been here. <br /><br />My question is in regards to my MG historical. I used the term straw tick and a person in my critique group didn't know what that was. What's the best way to handle terms a young reader might be unfamiliar with?<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />Cheryl<br /><br />http://ccmalandrinos.comCherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03470069911115912344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-34985288008251044572011-05-03T12:18:53.069-06:002011-05-03T12:18:53.069-06:00Please discuss when to use "which" and w...Please discuss when to use "which" and when to use "that." I though "that" was for objects and "which" for people . . . wrong? Help!Virginiahttp://virginiapilegard.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-26638278059841148432011-05-03T11:42:32.279-06:002011-05-03T11:42:32.279-06:00Paige, the biggest problem I have seen in formatti...Paige, the biggest problem I have seen in formatting have to do with hidden code that Word may insert, as well as writers who are still relying on manual indents instead of setting up a page using styles. With digital printing and publishing the standards for the basic page set up are much different than they were for paper submissions.<br /><br />As to your second question, self-pubbing one project should not hurt your chances of getting an agent to represent another work. Just make sure that the quality of the self-pubbed project is the best it can be. You don't want something that is hastily written and not edited out there as a representation of what you do.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-47292596250795933632011-05-03T11:11:45.747-06:002011-05-03T11:11:45.747-06:00Farrah,
Word count depends on where you're su...Farrah,<br /> Word count depends on where you're submitting the manuscripts. Different publishers have different guidelines.<br /> If you're self-publishing, you have more leeway and choices. Amazon has word count specifics so you can get it under the right classification, such as Amazon Singles, which are shorter. <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-78679005344190521342011-05-03T10:31:35.041-06:002011-05-03T10:31:35.041-06:00Is there a specific word count one should strive f...Is there a specific word count one should strive for a novel? When does it stop being a short story and become a novel? I'm worried about not having enough words in the end...Farrah from The Book Faery Reviewshttp://tbfreviews.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-31227008900350402272011-05-03T10:20:28.015-06:002011-05-03T10:20:28.015-06:00John Betcher -
You have a great start already in t...John Betcher -<br />You have a great start already in that you have a blog. <br /><br />If you're on Amazon, be sure to make use of their multitude of forums and that you've filled in everything you can on your Author Central pages, including the feed to your blog, profile photo, reviews, anything you can think of.<br /><br />On the page for your book, make sure you have tags, and encourage others to click and agree with our tags.<br /><br />Get on Facebook, Twitter, the two main social networks, and make sure you go there often and amass followers as well. <br /><br />Join egroups if you haven't already. <br /><br />Go on a blog book tour if you haven't already.<br /><br />Some say the more books you have out there, the better. Also, articles are said to help.<br /><br />These are some ways, but it's all a cumulative effort. There's no saying when it will all click in, because people need to be reminded you're there. <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-18846280303497977192011-05-03T10:18:36.537-06:002011-05-03T10:18:36.537-06:00I have to add this about editors: even if you'...I have to add this about editors: even if you're a great editor yourself, at least get a few first readers and a proofreader for your own writing. You're just too close to it to be a good editor on your own book. Curiously, it's usually the folks who don't think they need an editor who have weak stories - stories with great potential, but with serious flaws they just couldn't see. I see this in fiction as well as non-fiction.Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-1162958992850012082011-05-03T10:14:00.429-06:002011-05-03T10:14:00.429-06:00Cutting word count: take a hard look at every sent...Cutting word count: take a hard look at every sentence that doesn't truly move your story. Look first at narrative and then inner dialogue if you use it. If the protagonist says in italics "what a self-serving jerk", does the reader really need to know that? Can't we discern that in other ways? Only a few words, but these kinds of crutches add up over 300 pages. And kill those darlings! You know - those fantastic flowery paragraphs you slaved over, or that bit of research you just have to use in some way. Slash!Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-23553090230785884982011-05-03T10:10:57.614-06:002011-05-03T10:10:57.614-06:00Mary Jo,
I usually have the opposite problem. I&...Mary Jo,<br /> I usually have the opposite problem. I'm always looking for ways to get my word count up!<br /><br /> To reduce your work count, eliminate as many adverbs as possible. Use action verbs instead. <br /><br /> Then go after the adjectives, especially double ones. Then tackle the tags. Use them only when a reader can't figure out who's talking. Can you substitute action instead?<br /><br /> What about redundancy? Do you say the same thing in lots of different ways? Pick the best and get rid of the rest.<br /><br /> Hopes this helps you.<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-31712241435128882952011-05-03T10:08:25.003-06:002011-05-03T10:08:25.003-06:00I think the best way to stand out from the pack is...I think the best way to stand out from the pack is to write the best story you can in your authentic voice. Start with a solid and compelling story. Then polish it with all the other components you mention. But first... did I already say this? Write a story that makes your reader follow you, sentence after sentence, no matter what the topic. If you don't know what I'm talking about, find books that exemplify this. Maybe we should write a blog post about it here.Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-45636863941780982312011-05-03T10:07:38.565-06:002011-05-03T10:07:38.565-06:00John,
Create Space takes care of the mechanics o...John,<br /> Create Space takes care of the mechanics of getting a book done. Also Amazon does a lot of promotion, but usually once your book is showing promise by lots of sales. <br /> Unless you're super terrific at editing, I highly recommend an editor. In fact, many editors use editors themselves, because you need some distance from your own work. The mind fills in too many blanks to make the manuscript look how the author envisions it.<br /><br /> There are many great editors right here that can help anyone who needs one. I'm not an editor myself.<br /><br />Morgan Mandel<br />http://morganmandel.blogspot.com<br />http://facebook.com/morgan.mandelMorgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com