Why editors will always have jobs

Recently, I contacted an editor to help me with Mist on the Meadow, my newest creation. I've worked with this editor before, and I was comfortable with her style when I sent her Living Canvas.  We were still getting to know each other then. So when I contacted her this time, I expressed my desire to improve my writing. Boy, did she answer the call.

I'm still "cleaning up" Mist on the Meadow, so I don't feel that it is finished yet. This is a good thing. Particularly since I now have homework to do for the editor before I hand it in to her. I am aware of certain "crutch" words in my work, words that are overused and/or unnecessary. I know the difference between passive voice and active voice, in fact I read a blog post this week (maybe it was last week, time is getting away from me) on just that topic. So when the editor sent me a list of words to cull out of my manuscript (or at least trim back), I was shocked to see how many of them had slipped through. She also clued me in to some of the passive phrases that are commonly used. Ouch. I was amazed at how often I had used these "bad" things. Bad habits. I also discovered an idiosyncrasy of mine, a speech pattern of my own.

I'm sure I've mentioned in older blog posts about "go to" phrases that people use. Crutch words that don't belong. My husband says "already" way more often than it is truly applicable. Some people pluck in the work "like" and others use the phrase "you know." Think about your conversations with teenagers. So imagine my surprise when I realized that one of my "go to" phrases is "it isn't as if . . . " Going through the manuscript, I stumbled over this phrase repeatedly. Stumbled. Stubbed my toe. My feet are black and blue already! (that "already" was for DH).

Just when you think you know what you're doing.

I'm always learning something new. I thought I knew what to look for, and in many cases I did. Some of it happens naturally when you realize something doesn't sound right, and some of it sneaks through anyway. By picking apart and looking for these phrases independent of the writing process, they become much more apparent. I've added a new step to my writing routine as a result.

In addition to the mechanics, editors can also dissect your plot points. What works, what doesn't, what's been dropped along the way. They don't have the same emotional attachment to the story, and that subjective part? The part that keeps agents and publishers from connecting to it? Editors don't have to connect with the story, just the writing (although it helps if they like the story). Their job is to see the disconnects, the places that sabotage those agents and publishers from connecting. When I was younger, I had a hard time reading a Harlequin romance novel because I spent more time picking out the mistakes than I did connecting with the story. I can say that today the editors are much better, and I don't feel that same reluctance to pick up a Harlequin. That experience taught me that it doesn't matter how good the story is. If the writing isn't strong enough, you're going to lose your audience. That's why I want to grow as an author. I want to be a better writer. And that's why a good editor is so important.

Mist on the Meadow will likely be available for publication/distribution early next year. In the meantime, check out Living Canvas. For those of you in Illinois, there is another book signing this weekend in Hoffman Estates (click on the Events tab above for details). I hope to meet you there!

"nobody goes to book signings anymore"

And now, back to our regularly scheduled program . . .

You will often hear authors talking about how uncomfortable they are doing public appearances. I heard it on Saturday from the authors who joined me for the book signing. It isn't easy to say, "I'm wonderful, buy my book!" That requires a certain level of arrogance that doesn't come naturally, but it is a necessary part of selling books. Add to that, the typical personality of an author is someone who spends large amounts of time alone with their computer living in an imaginary world. Now you want to throw them out with the real world? And so begin the anxiety attacks. The longer you do it, the easier it comes. Does that make it easy? Not by a long shot.

There are some authors who argue that you don't need to do book signings. E-books are outpacing printed versions, and then, what is there to sign? There's still something to be said for those brick and mortar stores. It's in connecting with your readers. Talking to people who read your books. Giving people a personality to put with the name on the cover of the book.

I'm not a big name author (yet). People aren't flocking to the book stores to see me (yet). So I have to go out and introduce myself. Hand people a bookmark and invite them to come over to find out more. No pressure. I'm not going to inflict myself on someone who is browsing. They'll come in their good time if they're interested. And on Saturday, they did. I met several new people and I had a lot of interesting feedback from people who buy books. People commented on the cover. They commented on the blurb. So many people said they thought it looked interesting (and no, they weren't just being nice). That kind of feedback is helpful. They had no trouble telling me my other covers weren't as intriguing, or the blurb copy didn't hook them. (I won't even digress into the finer points of #1) trying to write a good blurb or #2) an "interesting" cover.)

So maybe the world is becoming more electronic, less social. But its days like Saturday that make being an author more interesting. Telling them about the book you put your heart and soul into writing, and seeing the glazed expression on their faces when you try to explain the next project (which you haven't yet written a good blurb for). It was also an opportunity to network with other authors who were there with me, to share our experiences.

And to make new friends.

Thanks, Dana

I love you, Mom

Words that bring tears to a mother's eyes, whether they are spoken by a one-year old or a twenty-one year old.

Permit me a day of self-indulgence.  For those of you that have been following my blog, you know that I have an intense day job, which is one of the reasons why I write. Stress relief.  October 15 is one of those deadlines that my crew has to meet. There is the satisfaction that comes with meeting a deadline, but angst when you realize there are other things demanding attention and no time to get it all done. As I was riding home on the train, exhausted and frustrated by the pain of the deadline, I started looking ahead to my next commitment. 

On top of deadline, I had a book signing on Saturday (which went very well, thank you to everyone who came out!). Next weekend I host a baby shower. The weekend after that is another book signing. Then there's the next book, which I would dearly love to get to my editor in November, but I have edits yet to push through. This has been a very busy, intense couple of weeks with more busyness all the way through October, and then there's the Christmas season peaking at us. Yes, I was beginning to feel very overwhelmed. Can you see me with my hands in my hair, my eyes bugging out? For those people who ask, "Wow, where do you find the time to write?"  Well, some days it isn't easy, but again, it's my outlet, and when I don't find the time to write, it makes me that much more anxious and stressed.

So back on the train, riding home after deadline, out of the blue (and isn't that when it means the most?), my cell phone vibrates. In the display, a very short, but extremely well-timed message. "I love you mom :-)"

Gotta tell you. That never gets old.

One day, my son will find his Ms. Right, and those messages will likely be harder to come by, but until that time, I'm going to enjoy every random expression of love that comes my way.  He's going to make some lucky girl a great husband one day.

I love you too, EJ.

Come visit me!

I will be at Barnes and Noble in Schaumburg, Illinois on Saturday, October 13, 2012, between Noon and 4:00 p.m. (CST) signing copies of Living Canvas.

Woodfield Plaza Shopping Center
590 East Golf Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
847-310-0450

Stop in and say hello!

The healthy writing life

I've been spending way too much time on Pinterest looking for baby shower ideas. One of the fun things is all the neat things you can do with food.  I'm loving that.

My niece-in-law has been doing a blog on her weight-loss journey with one of her friends, and she has had some fun food ideas. Like most people, I struggle with maintaining my weight/losing weight, so today, I'm going to share with you one of my favorite "diet" foods. Sorry for the bad timing on this, but we are fortunate enough to live in a world where we can get fresh (or relatively fresh) fruit year-round. So although this is coming after the summer season, hopefully you will still find it useful.

I don't like vegetables. There. I've said it. My husband is always asking me what's wrong with me, my mother tells me I don't know what's good for me. My mother-in-law just tut-tuts and wonders what to feed me. I EAT vegetables. Don't misinterpret. My mother fed me vegetables at every meal growing up. I know they're good for me. I am concerned about my health. I EAT VEGETABLES. I just don't like them. But I love fruit . . .

There are dozens of recipes using fruit, and I've tried dozens of smoothie recipes to ensure I'm eating my daily dose and more (although with fruit, that's usually not an issue). I've had conversations with people at the day job about smoothies, and some of them mention kale and spinach in smoothies. EWWW!  Green smoothies? And then I spoke with one of my friends at work who convinced me to try the spinach ones. She says the kale ones are still a little off-tasting. Okay, she convinced me. I tried it. And you know what? It was GOOD! I never tasted the spinach. Granted, I eat spinach salads, so spinach does put me off the way many veggies do, but what a cool idea!  So here's the deal.

Strawberries.  Lots of them. If they're on sale, buy them up and freeze them. We're at the end of the season and they were just cheap at the store, so I bought a bunch (I also have a strawberry patch in my garden). And bananas.  They were on sale, too. But I couldn't eat them all before they "expired," so I started freezing them in smoothie sized servings. (Oh - and peaches, or pineapple, or whatever strikes you or is in season).

If the fruit is fresh, I start with the spinach at the bottom of the blender. A handful. Maybe even two. Top it with your fresh fruit (example: one banana + 5 big strawberries), a half cup of milk and another handful of ice cubes. This usually translates to about 24 ounces of smoothie for me. Blend it up and YUMMM.  It's green, yes, although I've found that adding blueberries makes it purple (not green). 

As the growing season ends, I'm freezing the fruit in smoothie bags. When making a smoothie with the frozen fruit, skip the ice cubes and do a half cup milk and a half cup of water. The frozen fruit will provide the ice.

Quick, easy, delicious, NUTRITIOUS. I'm getting my vegetables! It fills me up. And if you want something to chew on, you've saved enough calories to supplement with a granola bar, an english muffin, or a piece of toast, or a bagel (although you should still pay attention to what your calorie intake is if your goal is weight loss).

Good stuff, I'm tellin ya.

A Vacation in your Living Room

Now that I've completed my series on inspirations, let me take you on a trip.

I recently returned from a trip through the Mediterranean, inspired and motivated.  There were some very interesting observations I made.

On the downside, there is a distinct lack of real estate, so the cities are very overcrowded. The unemployment rate is high, so pickpockets abound (keep close watch on your valuables). And there is graffiti everywhere. Everywhere. Traffic is insane, and yet walking the narrow, cobbled streets is a sensory experience.


Aix-en-Provence, France

I walked through an open-air market in Aix-en-Provence (that's pronounced "ex"), France, and smelled freshly ground spices available for sale. Flower vendors. Fruit and vegetable vendors. The closest thing we have over here is a Farmer's Market that shows up once a week for a couple of hours. Over there, the market opens every day, all day. (I would insert a picture of the market, but there was an unfortunate mishap with the photos in France).

Port of Toulon - France

 
 There are walled cities along the coast, designed to keep invaders out, straight out of a history book or a medieval romance novel. While sections of these walls have been knocked down or eroded, they are still very much in evidence. Every town square has a fountain, and there is statuary everywhere. And don't get me started on the abundance of churches/cathedrals/basilicas. Turn a corner, see a bell tower. Architecture is stunning. We walked through one village that remains inside its walls (although the doors to the walls have long since been removed). No cars on those streets. If I were any good at writing history, I could easily imagine a young French woman carrying a basket of something through the narrow passages, not unlike Cyd Charisse in Brigadoon (okay, wrong country).

Eze-Village, France



All of this led me to contemplate settings for stories. I've frequently used vacations as backdrops, but I almost always come back home to Chicago somewhere in the story (Living Canvas is a prime example of vacations in Scotland and in Fort Lauderdale). I have to tell you, my imagination has already kicked up a story in Aix, but it will have to wait until I've completed edits on Mist on the Meadow.



Eze-Village, France



Do you enjoy "destination" stories? Stories that take you on a tour of some place you've never been, or some place you love? A vacation in your own living room? Or is the locale an insignificant backdrop?

Guest appearance

Today I'm appearing as a guest at Terry's Place. 
http://terryodell.com/terrysplace/

Pop on over and see what I have to say about the axiom, "Write What you Know."  Then check back here tomorrow for my regularly scheduled post.

Ciao Bella!