Before we get on with our fabulous guest blogger today, we just want to send out a big Plotmonkey HUG to all our friends in the path of Hurricane Ike! Please be careful, be safe, stay dry and let us know that you’re okay when you get a chance!
Lots of love–
Julie, Leslie, Carly & Janelle
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And now…
Once again, Blaze Babe Jamie Sobrato is in the jungle! She’s gorgeous, she’s talented, she’s funny…and she’s awesome at coming up with great Blaze titles. Her latest is on the shelves now…have you bought yours? I have! Today, she’s here to talk about editing. Her timing couldn’t be more perfect as I’m finishing up this book now and will be editing shortly. Of course, I have a “no reptiles, no rodents” law in my house (yes, the World’s Largest Guinea Pig earned a special dispensation on account of cuteness and ease of care.) Her advice is dead on. I see a much shorter manuscript in my future.
And her new Blaze, SEDUCING A S.E.A.L., is out this month! Click the cover to see more at Amazon!
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Eating My Words: Furry Adventures in Editing
Iʼve tried to teach my rabbit (whoʼs more intelligent than you might think) to edit my books for me, but mostly he just eats the manuscript pages. Then one day it struck me that maybe heʼs onto something–perhaps making a few pages disappear isnʼt such a bad idea.
We writers tend to cling too much to our words, thinking the more words we use, the more likely it is that weʼve managed to put the vision we had in our heads accurately onto the page. This is especially true early on in our careers, before weʽve discovered that nothing is sacred, that even the most beautifully-crafted passage or scene may need to be cut if it doesnʽt serve the book well overall.
Iʼve judged many an unpublished writersʼ contest in which every entry bears evidence of the authors manipulating their formatting–using the most word-count friendly fonts, playing with the margin–in the belief that if they can just squeeze in that one extra scene or page or paragraph, the judges will surely see what talent they have.
But it doesnʼt work like that at all.
Editors (and with some great luck, contest judges) are experts on what makes a book work, and much as it depresses us writers to hear it, they can usually tell by reading the first page–or even the first sentence or paragraph–if they want to read on.
Hereʼs a valuable exercise: gather up about twenty or more novels you have close at hand, including some you love, some you havenʼt read yet, and some you didnʼt enjoy. Then sit and read the first page of each one aloud. It helps if you have a fellow writer there too. Youʼll quickly begin to get a sense of how easy it is to judge whether a book is going to be good, based on that first page.
Iʼll bet that among the books you love, the first page is truly compelling. The writing flows, something about the plot, voice, and characters grabs you instantly, and whatever makes the book great is clearly evident right there at the start.
The same is inversely true of the books you didnʼt enjoy. Whatever is lacking, itʼs there on the first page, and you donʼt need to read any further to know.
Now if youʼre really brave, do the same exercise with your own books. I have, and of the books I havenʼt sold, I can promise you the reasons were evident in paragraph one–no need to read any further.
So how does this help us improve as writers? I hope it helps us lose the desire to cling to every word, for one thing. Remember that itʼs not how many words you cram into a story that matters–itʼs how elegantly you present the essential ones, the ones the story could not live without.
And if you canʼt bear to cut the words yourself, try getting a pet rabbit. Theyʼre ruthless editors.
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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*sigh* You’re right…I know you’re right….but it’s so hard (heavy whining here) to cut out that scene that you love so much. That you worked so hard on. That you were so proud of spinning the words just the right way and that’s so cleverly written.
Thanks for being here with us today and for shoving me off the cliff!
They really are great words of wisdom – even if they are hard to swallow.
And I too hope everyone in Ike’s path is safe. I just heard from my aunt that my cousin in Houston is okay. Of course, no power but their house is okay and they’re safe and that’s all that matters.
Have a great Sat. everyone! And thanks again, Jamie, for being here!
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Welcome to the jungle, Jamie! Great advice. I use my Newf puppy who’s being housebroken (and just likes to eat paper), Jamie.
Alannah, I feel your pain! :wallbash: I just finished cutting 24,000 words from a manuscript to meet submission guidelines. It hurt. A lot! But I have a better book for it. Today I finish my synopsis and tweak the query. Then it goes merrily on it’s way and I get to start the next project while I wait for a response. *crosses fingers* If you really love that scene? Set it aside and use it for a short story or novella. Craft a story around that one scene. That way, you get the best of both!
Everybody in Texas and Louisiana, stay safe! We’re waiting on the rain to reach us up here in Okie-land. Back to work.
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Thanks Jamie, for being here today. My writing is sort of on hold right now… I fell into a slump and haven’t pulled myself out yet
Maybe today’s blog is a lesson I haven’t yet learned, which just might be my problem!
Silver I love the idea of keeping the much loved scene for another story or book if it doesn’t work in the current work in progress!
:hug2: To everyone in the path of Ike, prayers are with you.
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Welcome to the jungle! Great words of wisdom and they are so true!
Your bunny is just adorable. My niece has one, she’s house broken and everything. Amazing.
Have a wonderful Saturday. Everyone in the path of Ike, please stay safe. I was just looking at pics on the internet and in the newspaper. What devastation. I hope everyone who works at RWA headquarters is safe as well.
Cher
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Welcome back to the jungle, Jamie! What a GORGEOUS Blaze cover!!! :dominatrix:
I hope everyone who was in Ike’s path is safe!!!
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Hi Jamie!
Great advice. I am that reader that knows on page one I will or won’t like the book.
If in Ike’s path don’t take chances. Use your head and not your heart.
Just finished LLFoster’s Servant (the Acceptance). Better than the first.
Different than her norm is a huge understatement.
A smile for the day from Zoey::snoopy:
I am so liking my new friend.
She walks on all 4′s, just like me, and loves to taunt me.
She chases me with determination even though I am so much faster.
She shares her toys and she has some fabulous ones.
I particularly like the brightly colored snap togather beads.
I have however gotten into trouble for chewing the little knobby ends off.
And right after she eats she tastes so darn good.
I can lick her from head to toe and never get tired.
By now you’ve guessed she is Mommy’s grand daughter.
I have to get back to making sure she stays out of trouble.
See Ya!
Zoey
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Hi Everyone, Thank you for having me back! And big hugs to our Gulf Coast friends out there–I hope you’re all safe.
Ah, yes, the pain of cutting the beloved scene… I try to console myself with the idea that nothing we ever write is wasted. It’s all just part of the collective effort of our becoming better writers. Or something like that.
And yes, bunnies make great (if high-maintenance) pets. I have two, both of whom are litter box trained and free range in the house. Their only truly obnoxious habit is chewing cords, so my laptop computer cord is coated in electrical tape from many a munching, and it emits sparks whenever I drag it across the carpet.
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Oh, and Julie, you are way too kind!
BTW, I didn’t know you had a guinea pig–that’s one of the few animals I don’t own! But I was tempted. They’re soooooooo darn cute. I wanted to get an animal large enough that the snake definitely wouldn’t try to have it for dinner. :-/
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Welcome back Jamie! I love your books and have your current Blaze in my tbr pile.
Hope everyone in the Gulf Coast area is safe! Have a great Saturday everyone.
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Jamie–so glad to have you here!! I think I was out of town during your last visit, so here’s a double big welcome.
And that’s fantastic advice–I am also editing a book I need to turn in on Monday and, as usual, am trying to trim the bloat.
No rabbits here, guess my trust Delete” key will have to do!
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Jamie, Welcome to the Jungle. I’ve read several of your books. This new one looks good!
To all those in Ike’s path, stay safe. May there be no devastation to your home or loved ones. :pray:
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Jamie, trust me…unless your snake is a python, Button would be too big for it. The piggy is the size of a small rabbit. He’s HUGE. And very smart. Wildly smart. It’s scary, how smart this rodent is.
I’ve never had a good relationship with bunnies, so it’s good to hear that they can be litter box trained. That sort of blows my mind. My brother had a bunny and it pooped and peed everywhere!
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Julie, I think prey animals like guinea pigs and rabbits are underrated–they’re much smarter than people give them credit for. I do have a python but he’s a small one that wouldn’t attempt to eat anything larger than a rat.
Rabbits are easily litter box trained if they have been spayed or neutered. That seems to eliminate some of their more obnoxious habits like spraying and such–same as with cats.
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A rabbit, eh? Thanks for visiting with us today, Jamie!
For everyone effected by Ike – stay safe!
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Welcome, Jamie! Sorry I’m so late.
But seriously, she’s right. Writing should be tight and pertinent and compelling.
Awesome advice. Although clearly you don’t know me well. If I lose words, I may not have a manuscript at all. I tend to come in SHORT!
Last thing! I LOVE your rabbit! :grin1:
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Jamie, the rabbit is such a cutie!
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great to see u jamie, hot cover, love your blazes
