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Post by MaryMuse on Aug 17, 2004 8:30:59 GMT -5
Which is why writers hate editors, but I've been primarily an editor for many years (both in the trenches reading high school essays and as a first reader for friends writing both fiction and nonfiction) and fall on the "cruel to be kind" side of the fence. I wouldn't say ALL writers hate editors. A lot of us see the editor's as a midwife. They coach the parent in "birthing the baby." An editor's job is to make the writer's writing better. A writer really shouldn't hate those who are striving to make their work better, just as a baseball player really shouldn't hate his coach. Now there are bad editors..... (and bad coaches).... but that's a totally different story. (i.e. you don't tell me to do 9 major revisions only to say "I really don't like this.. I think you ought to scrap it and write something new.")
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Post by Queen E on Aug 17, 2004 8:33:56 GMT -5
I wouldn't say ALL writers hate editors. A lot of us see the editor's as a midwife. They coach the parent in "birthing the baby." An editor's job is to make the writer's writing better. A writer really shouldn't hate those who are striving to make their work better, just as a baseball player really shouldn't hate his coach. Now there are bad editors..... (and bad coaches).... but that's a totally different story. (i.e. you don't tell me to do 9 major revisions only to say "I really don't like this.. I think you ought to scrap it and write something new.") I completely agree, especially since I'm a writer and an editor. Unless that's where the niggling sense of self-loathing comes from...
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Post by MaryMuse on Aug 17, 2004 8:39:13 GMT -5
I completely agree, especially since I'm a writer and an editor. Unless that's where the niggling sense of self-loathing comes from... Oh, you're telling me. At the last writer's workshop I attended a couple of months ago, my story got harshly critiqued. It needed it, surely, but while everyone else was getting "you're so talented" along with their critiques, I got nada. Which is probably why I'm now focusing on my non-fiction, which I KNOW I can write, and am stalling on this novel I need to finish because I have an editor from a major house interested in it.
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Post by Julia, wrought iron-y on Aug 17, 2004 8:41:07 GMT -5
I wouldn't say ALL writers hate editors. A lot of us see the editor's as a midwife. They coach the parent in "birthing the baby." An editor's job is to make the writer's writing better. A writer really shouldn't hate those who are striving to make their work better, just as a baseball player really shouldn't hate his coach. Now there are bad editors..... (and bad coaches).... but that's a totally different story. (i.e. you don't tell me to do 9 major revisions only to say "I really don't like this.. I think you ought to scrap it and write something new.") There are exceptions to every rule (and the friends whose work I read are still friends) but the antagonism between authors and editors is the stuff of legend. It is more or less midwifing, though, you're right. Or, more to the point since a baby is pretty much what you get once it's been born, the person who stands on the ground when somebody is painting a barn and points out where they've missed stuff, so they don't have to keep going down the ladder to look, and climbing up to hit the holidays. In other words: it is possible to self edit, but for most people, it takes a bit of distance. Sometimes it's just hitting the "send" button Julia, some days I want to go back and do nothing but correct my own typos and flaws of logic and composition
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Post by Sara on Aug 17, 2004 8:54:13 GMT -5
My coworker Diana gave notice yesterday. Whoa. Still processing this information and what it means, other than that my days of having to listen to Jimmy Buffet are coming to an end. When I hung back at the meeting to see if Yoshi was doing okay, he shook his head, said "This sucks," and asked if I wanted to have lunch at the local pizza place with him. I suspect I'll get some more info there. Whoa...
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Post by S'ewing S'cubie on Aug 17, 2004 9:03:04 GMT -5
My coworker Diana gave notice yesterday. Whoa. Still processing this information and what it means, other than that my days of having to listen to Jimmy Buffet are coming to an end. When I hung back at the meeting to see if Yoshi was doing okay, he shook his head, said "This sucks," and asked if I wanted to have lunch at the local pizza place with him. I suspect I'll get some more info there. Whoa... The depth of your sorrow at the potential loss of this valued person touches my heart deeply.
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Post by Rachael on Aug 17, 2004 9:04:26 GMT -5
My coworker Diana gave notice yesterday. Whoa. Still processing this information and what it means, other than that my days of having to listen to Jimmy Buffet are coming to an end. When I hung back at the meeting to see if Yoshi was doing okay, he shook his head, said "This sucks," and asked if I wanted to have lunch at the local pizza place with him. I suspect I'll get some more info there. Whoa... Huh. Well, congratulations, or bummer, or whatever emotion turns out to be appropriate after lunch. . . .
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Post by Sara on Aug 17, 2004 9:05:24 GMT -5
The depth of your sorrow at the potential loss of this valued person touches my heart deeply. What can I say--that's just the kind of compassionate, caring human being I am.
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Post by Rachael on Aug 17, 2004 9:07:32 GMT -5
There are exceptions to every rule (and the friends whose work I read are still friends) but the antagonism between authors and editors is the stuff of legend. It is more or less midwifing, though, you're right. Or, more to the point since a baby is pretty much what you get once it's been born, the person who stands on the ground when somebody is painting a barn and points out where they've missed stuff, so they don't have to keep going down the ladder to look, and climbing up to hit the holidays. In other words: it is possible to self edit, but for most people, it takes a bit of distance. Sometimes it's just hitting the "send" button Julia, some days I want to go back and do nothing but correct my own typos and flaws of logic and composition Speaking as a reader, and both writer and editor of science writing - I love editors. I mean, as Mary says, there's bad ones (see my graduate advisor for an example of one who can't STOP revising once she's started - I had to finally put my foot down when she was revising stuff BACK TO THE ORIGINAL without seeming to know it), but mostly - lots of published writers need more editing, IMO. I mean, there's necessary exposition, and then there's talking just to hear the sound of your own voice. (Says the woman with 11,000+ posts and a healthy sense of irony. )
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Post by Sara on Aug 17, 2004 9:11:24 GMT -5
Huh. Well, congratulations, or bummer, or whatever emotion turns out to be appropriate after lunch. . . . I'm suspecting it's going to be a combination of the two. Congratulations, 'cause Diana's... Diana. But bummer because it's a hell of a time for her to leave--setting aside that we're trying to get the museum reopened by the end of September, there are at least four fund-raisers scheduled between now and mid-November.
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Post by beccaelizabeth on Aug 17, 2004 9:12:01 GMT -5
BtVS and Ats episodes- any lines/scenes/episodes/storylines you think should have been edited out to improve the whole? or is this a topic liable to go boom?
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Post by Cal on Aug 17, 2004 9:14:04 GMT -5
This is fun, fredspuffed! I googled your question (because my brain is still in neutral this morning) and found: www.harrumph.com/tree.htmlWhich makes me a fig tree! FIG TREE(the Sensibility) - very strong, a bit self-willed,independent, does not allow contradiction or arguments, loves life, its family, children and animals, a bit of a social butterfly, good sense of humor, likes idleness and laziness, of practical talent and intelligence.Why do I always have to be the sensible one? I wanted to be the apple tree, but am really more like the olive in my mind. This is what I am: ELM TREE(the Noble-mindedness) - pleasant shape,tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical. Not sure what I think of that. Oh...I forgot to say: Hi S'cubies!
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Post by Rachael on Aug 17, 2004 9:14:13 GMT -5
BtVS and Ats episodes- any lines/scenes/episodes/storylines you think should have been edited out to improve the whole? or is this a topic liable to go boom? Oooh. I like it. Might go boom - but we're grownups, and it's right in line with discussing how we didn't (or did) like this or that aspect of an episode. Must think on it. 'Cause nothing springs immediately to mind, but I'm guessing there's stuff. . . .
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Post by Julia, wrought iron-y on Aug 17, 2004 9:15:47 GMT -5
My coworker Diana gave notice yesterday. Whoa. Still processing this information and what it means, other than that my days of having to listen to Jimmy Buffet are coming to an end. When I hung back at the meeting to see if Yoshi was doing okay, he shook his head, said "This sucks," and asked if I wanted to have lunch at the local pizza place with him. I suspect I'll get some more info there. Whoa... Always disturbing when this happens, even when it's someone who's been driving one crazy for months. Maybe especially then, because of the whole guilt thing. Julia, not to mention the moments of panic about having more work for a while
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Post by beccaelizabeth on Aug 17, 2004 9:16:00 GMT -5
you know that feeling you get when you find something wierd looking and realise whatever that was, you already ate half of it? Is there a word for that?
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