“There are plenty of bad editors …

“There are plenty of bad editors who try to impose their own vision on a book.”

Terri Windling

Taking someone else’s story and keeping their ideas, their vision, their voice alive, but cutting away the parts that sneak in to hide the truth in the story – it’s hard work.

It’s rewarding work.

Seeing a story brought out to its fullness – amazing to be a part of that process.

Working on edits and revisions of Melinda McGuire‘s Josephine, and it is an incredible journey.

It does make it easier when there is such a strong foundation to work with, but cutting and re-arranging and adding to and taking away and doing it all in close proximity with the author, discussing each step, playing out the repercussions of the decisions, it is a challenging, rewarding wonderful process.

I don’t have to impose my vision on the book. My role in the process is to help Melinda bring out the vision she has for the characters, for the plot, the setting, the story. So the requirement for me? I have to believe in the author’s vision.

It is an exciting process and one I thoroughly enjoy!

A word for those who are writing

photo credit: Tim McFarlane via photopin cc

 

 

Prompts, journals, and writing partners

How goes it with you, writers?

Do you use prompts?

Do you journal?

Do you have writing partners?

If you use prompts, do you try to make those connect into something bigger once you reflect on the writing exercise? Or, do the prompts act as a springboard for you – getting your writing muscles stretched and flexible?

If you journal, does that act as your brainstorming session? Or is it more of a diary?

Writing partners – what do you expect from them? What do they expect from you? How do you know you’ve found a “good” one? How do you know you are being helpful?

Also, how do you put aside your own writing endeavors to help others who are writing – and should you?

Sitting here with my editor glasses on, reading through an amazing manuscript, wondering about the writing process for those of you who are actually in the act of opening your veins.

Love to hear from you,

Ann Marie Abelard