Aug 23, 2023·edited Aug 23, 2023Liked by Randy Susan Meyers
This is great! When I worked as an editor, I tried to be oh-so-faithful to the author's "voice," even when I didn't love their word choices. But the art of editing is to do that while bringing organization and clarity to the work. I always approached manuscripts as a reader first, editor second, so that the edits were (hopefully) strictly necessary. That said, it was easier to do with nonfiction than fiction or kids' books!
Aug 22, 2023·edited Aug 22, 2023Liked by Randy Susan Meyers
Yes. When I workshopped an essay that was taken from my memoir in progress I had to bite my tongue when a member of the workshop passed her moral judgement on the subject of the essay (and the book). But it showed that I needed to work harder at showing what made this person worthy of the way I felt about him. And that not every reader is right for every piece. And that a good advisor will focus on the writing and not their opinion of the subject.
This is so wise! I especially like the advice about whole book critique groups--so that not only the arc of the novel is evident, but also how the characters and their relationships might change and evolve. (Meeting less often to enable the reading of longer sections seems like such a good idea, too.)
Fabulous advice as always!
This is great! When I worked as an editor, I tried to be oh-so-faithful to the author's "voice," even when I didn't love their word choices. But the art of editing is to do that while bringing organization and clarity to the work. I always approached manuscripts as a reader first, editor second, so that the edits were (hopefully) strictly necessary. That said, it was easier to do with nonfiction than fiction or kids' books!
Thank you . Your keen support and compassion has allowed me to grow as a writer.
Yes. When I workshopped an essay that was taken from my memoir in progress I had to bite my tongue when a member of the workshop passed her moral judgement on the subject of the essay (and the book). But it showed that I needed to work harder at showing what made this person worthy of the way I felt about him. And that not every reader is right for every piece. And that a good advisor will focus on the writing and not their opinion of the subject.
perfect take: not every person is right for use as readers!
This is so wise! I especially like the advice about whole book critique groups--so that not only the arc of the novel is evident, but also how the characters and their relationships might change and evolve. (Meeting less often to enable the reading of longer sections seems like such a good idea, too.)
It works soooo well!