Q&A Friday!!
One of the hardest things to do in the middle of summer is work when it seems like everyone else is vacationing, lounging by a pool with a great book, or going to the movies. But writers write, summer, winter, fall and spring. What can make our job as writers easier--no matter what time of the year it is--is to make our editors' and agents' jobs easier.
How can writers make their editors' and agents' jobs easier?
Labels: editor and agent relationships with writers, writers
posted by Mo H @ 7:42 AM
10 Comments:
Editing, plain and simple. And that means going back through the book that one extra time to not only find the typos and such but also inconsistencies in character, plot holes, etc., and fix them. The easier the read for the editor/agent, the better reputation you get for being a dependable writer. And I think with that come extra opportunities.
Trish,
I think that's so true. If a writer can to right to line edits, think of the time and money saved, too.
Another thing a writer can do, that has worked for me, is to hit your deadlines. Because I was able to get my stories in on time, I was asked to write more for the Mossy Creek series. Being dependable is huge.
My Mom and I LOVE the Mossy Creek series, Mo! I gave her the complete set so far for Christmas this year. (I did it so she would stop snagging my copies of the books she didn't have!)
I have an agent, but not an editor, but I think an author can make an editor or agent's life easier simply by writing the very best book she can. Write relatable, believable characters that people can really become emotionally attached to, put them in impossible situations, make the situations worse and then solve them. Easy, right? Yeah! Right!
I had a request for a full and a partial at the conference. I ran through the MS one more time, sent it to my CP for a final look, and will line edit once more before sending it out. I have been terrified about waiting too long, but both requesters said to sent it when it was ready. It's a complete novel, but ready means as polished as I can get it before they read it.
I hope I am making the right decision. I also want to show them I can work fast and meet deadlines. I gave myself two weeks for the partial and 2.5 for the full due to travel plans and company arriving this week.
Louisa,
I'm so glad you and your mom are fans. Critters of Mossy Creek will be out in September. I think anyone who loves animals will love it.
I agree about doing your best. It's a good feeling to know you've given it your all before sending to editor or agent.
Christine,
First of all, congratulations on getting requests for a full and a partial! The time you spend polishing will be worth it. A couple of weeks is not a big deal. A couple of years is a problem.
Thanks Mo--I want to make sure it is as good as I can make it before I throw it out to them. And summer is so busy! We've got company, travel plans and then school starts August 10.
I figure if I send this all out before school starts, that's less than a month after the requests. Whew.
Of course, I'm not doing anything productive now--brain is tired.
Learning from your mistakes! I'm editing the third book for this editor and I can already see what she will have me change, so I'm changing it preemptively. Less work in the long run---at least, I hope!
MJ,
Learning from your mistakes is a great one. Here's hoping we all do!
Jessica Faust posted a blog earlier this week about people sending work that's "Good Enough". Well worth a read if you haven't.
http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2009/07/good-enough-is-never-enough.html
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