Tag Archive for: Self-Editing

Why I Like the Word Send by Debra H. Goldstein

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For a writer, “end” often is
considered the most wonderful word. I prefer adding an “s” and changing “end”
to “send.” Why? Because until a story is accepted and published, I don’t
consider it to be a final piece. Rather, the story can be edited and improved.

Often, a writer thinks a
story is ready for publication, but when it is rejected, the writer realizes
there are ways to make it better. For example, I recently submitted a story,
Day After Thanksgiving Soup, to an open anthology call. The story received fair
consideration, but ultimately was rejected. After receiving notice of the
rejection, I read the story again and several things jumped out at me. Even
though I had thought the story was written and edited to perfection before I
submitted it, I now saw several flaws. There was an instance of poor word
choice and several places I could tighten the tale. I revised the piece and sent
it to Mystery Weekly. A few days later, I received word Mystery Weekly wanted
to purchase it. Last week, not only did Day After Thanksgiving Soup appear in
the paperback version of Mystery Weekly, it was featured on the cover.

This isn’t the first time
I’ve written a short story, submitted it, had it rejected, rewritten it and
found a home for the “new and improved” version. In fact, in a few instances,
the rejection step occurred multiple times, but the final published piece was
always far better than the one I started with. The same has held true with my
novels.

Whenever they were
rejected or criticized by an agent, publisher, or beta reader, I carefully
reviewed their comments and looked to see if there was a way to make the
manuscript better. There almost always was.

Writing is an ongoing
process. If one willingly revises and is flexible, one’s writing is going to
improve. The consequence of improvement is more acceptances – even if it isn’t
at the first point of submission.

How many times was your typed “end” really “send?”

On Giving Talks About Writing

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Lately I’ve read several blogs about what to do when appearing on TV or giving talks. I love giving talks about writing and about my books.

This video was taken when I gave a talk at the Hanford CA library about my books.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYf11ShLhKo

I had a runny nose that night, which you’ll certainly pick up on as I keep wiping my nose. My daughter-in-law is sitting by the books, and she is who I picture in my mind when I’m writing about Deputy Tempe Crabtree.

This is more or less how I look and sound when I’m giving a talk most anywhere–though I don’t usually have a runny nose.

I recently gave a talk on Self-Editing to a pleasant and welcoming group of authors at a lovely bookstore in the foothills on the way to Yosemite National Park. Everyone was welcoming–and no one challenged me after they realized I really did know what I was talking about. Another thing that helps is I always tell mistakes I’ve made and managed to get through into my published books, despite all the eyes that looked at it in manuscript form.

The biggest goof was in Deadly Omen, the first in my Deputy Tempe Crabtree series. Tempe drives around in a Blazer which becomes a Bronco and then turns back into a Blazer, and this happens several times. I admit it, I don’t pay much attention to cars. Whenever I get a new one I make sure that my adhesive banner with my website on it is stuck on the back of the new car so I won’t have trouble finding it in a parking lot.

In Calling the Dead there’s a name change on a page–the man is called something, then his name changes (it’s a close name) then changes back. When a reader pointed it out to me, I informed the publisher and it was changed before the next round of printing.

I always warn all writers to print out their manuscript when they are ready to proof-read. Proofing on the computer just doesn’t work. Your eye seems to fix all the mistakes.

Once when I had a broken ankle, I decided to work on an old manuscript because I didn’t feel like starting anything new. I went through the novel zealously, changing words, making sure pronouns agreed with nouns, all the things I know to do when editing. But–I didn’t print the book out. Instead I sent it off to a publishing house that has always published everything I sent. What I received from them was a polite note that I should consider what the first reader had to say, and if I fixed all my mistakes, send it back for another look through.

When I read it again, I was horrified to see that in many cases where I changed a word, I left the old word in too. There were other mistakes too–ones that I’d have easily caught if I’d printed out the manuscript and edited it one last time before sending it off. And no, I’ve never tackled it again.

Another good idea is to put the manuscript aside for at least a week, then go over it one more time.

Going back to the presentation, I hope that I saved those writers from the humiliation that I felt when I received that message from the publisher.

All in all, it was a terrific afternoon. I enjoyed meeting new writers, seeing two old friends, and talking about my favorite subject–writing.

Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com