tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post3121629484181314824..comments2023-11-02T06:50:41.703-07:00Comments on Fantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal: Revisions: Not Just Plug and PlayLorendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17874101070837077093noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-35144695324410700012011-09-24T16:54:07.363-07:002011-09-24T16:54:07.363-07:00Shawna, I've only had the one R&R but I to...Shawna, I've only had the one R&R but I totally agree about it being an insight into the editor's idea of what will be mareketable. Who else would know better, right? And why would you pass up the opportunity to make your story more marketable? I can see not wanting to write *to* the market, or to lose your voice or story, but giving edits a shot never killed anyone. So far. I think :) <br /><br />Thanks for stopping by : )Cathy in AKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08667978358875270260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-14814235207662137812011-09-23T18:07:51.225-07:002011-09-23T18:07:51.225-07:00So far I've had two R&Rs and both have bee...So far I've had two R&Rs and both have been published. I know writers who don't like them, but I think they give an insight to what editors are looking for.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your story and good luck with the revisions.Shawna Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12476399575493212858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-334369719031434112011-09-22T08:09:30.103-07:002011-09-22T08:09:30.103-07:00Louisa, the color coding idea is a relatively new ...Louisa, the color coding idea is a relatively new "ah ha!" for me. I like hard copy too, but my printer has been on the fritz for a while, so I've learned to deal with it : P<br /><br />Thanks for coming back to check on things ; )Cathy in AKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08667978358875270260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-49165758817206983642011-09-21T20:32:19.427-07:002011-09-21T20:32:19.427-07:00So interesting to read about your journey, Cathy. ...So interesting to read about your journey, Cathy. I like the idea of color coordination. I'm very much like that myself. Also, when I'm going through final revisions, I like having a full print-out of the book.<br /><br />I swear I posted earlier today, but I don't see it ... so here I am again!Louisa Baciohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12465650692407681636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-14130290842352926162011-09-21T16:46:12.475-07:002011-09-21T16:46:12.475-07:00That's what I think too, Maria. Not only is an...That's what I think too, Maria. Not only is an R&R a chance to show your stuff to someone who might buy your book, but the enlightenment of "OMG, I can totally do this and take that idea and run with it!" makes me feel like Wonder Woman : )Cathy in AKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08667978358875270260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-20999043514423458122011-09-21T15:32:48.704-07:002011-09-21T15:32:48.704-07:00A Revise & Resubmit should stir the juices of ...A Revise & Resubmit should stir the juices of every red-blooded author.<br /><br />It's an opportunity and a second chance.<br /><br />Any time an editor sends me a note, I get giddy with the possibilities.Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-31493149231800091302011-09-21T09:49:20.153-07:002011-09-21T09:49:20.153-07:00Hillary (hey, aren't you...?) and W&C, it ...Hillary (hey, aren't you...?) and W&C, it has been a heck of a journey, full of lots of twists, turns and double backs :) But all good in the end! Yes, the ocean away without electrons helped, as did fab crit partners ; )Cathy in AKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08667978358875270260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-46595870455732864642011-09-20T21:02:00.186-07:002011-09-20T21:02:00.186-07:00I'm always better at revisions if I've had...I'm always better at revisions if I've had some distance from the manuscript too....but I never had to go a whole ocean away! *heh*Jody W. and Meankittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13733607365443126784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-18894239748419646872011-09-20T19:56:21.143-07:002011-09-20T19:56:21.143-07:00I would *have* to cross a border without my manusc...I would *have* to cross a border without my manuscript to leave it alone for that long! <br /><br />I love seeing how other people triage their edit letters and respond.<br /><br />What an awesome journey you've been on with this story. Can't wait to read it!Hillary Jacqueshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10394482441040531244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-15523149422495251332011-09-20T18:05:11.126-07:002011-09-20T18:05:11.126-07:00*Thanks, Bella!
*JM, I re-read the MS a lot too, ...*Thanks, Bella!<br /><br />*JM, I re-read the MS a lot too, to the point where I'm almost sick of it by the time I'm ready to hand it in : ) But slowing it down helps.<br /><br />*Thanks, Janni, and so am I ; )<br /><br />*Jenny, it amazes me how many people don't follow up an R&R. It's a golden opportunity to get input from an editor or agent! And I'm not nearly as organized as it sounds : ) I like your method of rewriting the comments. That's a great way to see if they make sense! and thanks, I'm glad Rulebreaker is out there too : )Cathy in AKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08667978358875270260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-14052460315287556482011-09-20T16:33:37.580-07:002011-09-20T16:33:37.580-07:00I remember Deb Nemeth (my Carina Press editor) and...I remember Deb Nemeth (my Carina Press editor) and someone else (was it Rhonda?) having a discussion about revise and resubmit letters to authors and how many people don't follow up the opportunity. Was it 80%? It was something startling. <br /><br />Cathy, your system sounds so organised. I start by handwriting the key changes the editor has asked for -- not the changes themselves, I rewrite the requests. I don't know why that works for me, but having them scribbled down as dot points clarifies things for me -- plus I get to cross them off one by one, giving me a sense of getting things done.<br /><br />So glad Rulebreaker got published!Jenny Schwartzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00320451924849353120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-64492450865643114582011-09-20T16:03:40.055-07:002011-09-20T16:03:40.055-07:00So great that you ended up with a contract. :-) Go...So great that you ended up with a contract. :-) Good on you for doing the hard yards.Janni Nellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02979062079450926014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-37948733558511401862011-09-20T12:42:46.378-07:002011-09-20T12:42:46.378-07:00Great breakdown of the system that works for you, ...Great breakdown of the system that works for you, and could work for others. <br /><br />I find myself re-reading and re-reading my MS, when I change things. That can slow down the process, but it forces me to check to see if what I'm doing makes sense with the story flow. <br /><br />I am deeply grateful to my editor for her teachings. I've learned that if an editor calls something out, nine times out of ten, it's because I haven't explained myself properly to the reader. <br /><br />Thanks, Cathy - and congrats again on Rulebreaker.JM Cartwrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15079799019564716584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-15816642259749269222011-09-20T12:07:52.165-07:002011-09-20T12:07:52.165-07:00Great advice, Cathy!Great advice, Cathy!Bella Streethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00575030622140076879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-7042960141834808092011-09-20T11:43:28.111-07:002011-09-20T11:43:28.111-07:00Exactly, Jeanette. I don't think you can compl...Exactly, Jeanette. I don't think you can completely ignore a WiP, but giving it some distance is a huge help. Or having a beta reader you trust. Recently, I rec'd notes on my current WiP from my agent's boss, who hadn't read the first book. She made all kinds of comments about the world and such that I took for granted. Frustrating to delve into the work AGAIN, but well worth the effort : )Cathy in AKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08667978358875270260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-70240444447992766012011-09-20T11:00:47.843-07:002011-09-20T11:00:47.843-07:00Great insights here. Some days when I feel unprodu...Great insights here. Some days when I feel unproductive, I have to remind myself just how much of the work of writing and revising happens when we're "not working" on a project - our brains are still going, and if we don't step away, we can't get the distance we need to see the flaws in our own work.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing!Jeanettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12102373588337709091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-31445855857905153592011-09-20T10:19:01.778-07:002011-09-20T10:19:01.778-07:00Agreed, Rachel! And you can't beat the satisfa...Agreed, Rachel! And you can't beat the satisfaction/relief of a postitive response after all that hard work : )Cathy in AKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08667978358875270260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-54066007328345232142011-09-20T09:47:14.814-07:002011-09-20T09:47:14.814-07:00Great post. It's the weaving that makes it spe...Great post. It's the weaving that makes it special and extra hard. lol. If revisions were easy, it might mean they weren't done right. lol.Rachel Firaseknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-24135279240917641882011-09-20T09:23:31.539-07:002011-09-20T09:23:31.539-07:00Happy to help, Pamala, even if it's just to as...Happy to help, Pamala, even if it's just to assure you on some small level : ) Good luck with the revisions and requests!Cathy in AKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08667978358875270260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-3141346308902882582011-09-20T07:28:48.875-07:002011-09-20T07:28:48.875-07:00OMG, THANK YOU for this post! I'm revising my...OMG, THANK YOU for this post! I'm revising my manuscript because of requests for full (no revision letter yet) and taking a great editing workshop but THIS is what I needed to hear about the revisions process. Because I think that sometimes we can't figure out how to fit OUR story to what someone else (crit partners) thinks it should be.Pamala Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12823051545160002135noreply@blogger.com