Separating the Editor from the Reader

As I mentioned last week, I've moved into the editing phase of the new book. This might be a good time to tell you to sign up for my newsletter if you haven't already. Newsletter coming out next week with the cover reveal. But I digress.

I also mentioned I'd started reading a historical novel with ghosts. Trying to rev up my imagination for the new series. The book I picked, as most of the other books I chose in May, disappointed. Why, you ask? Partially due to the internal editor that has switched on in my own work, although the things that jumped out at me I hadn't even begun to address in my own work. Word echoes -- the usage of the same word in close proximity, sometimes in the same paragraph without a reasonable excuse to be there. And if I ever see the word turgid again, it will be too soon. The ghost/mystery part of the story wasn't so bad, but the author was so focused on the romance that it tended to get lost with the heroine sleepwalking in her diaphanous nightgown and the hero lusting after her, but banking his desire... well, you get the idea. Hey, I like romance as much as the next person, but this was REALLY heavy-handed. 

These are the days when, as an author, it can be difficult to turn off the inner editor. Hey. We all make mistakes or overlook things. Editors at the biggest publishing houses miss things. I try not to be overly critical, allowing people to be human. With that being said, there needs to be a level of professionalism in the books I read. Seeing extraneous punctuation (two periods--separated by a space, no less--or quotation marks in the middle of nowhere, or the echoed words (when even one use might be too many) can completely tank the reading experience for me. 

On the other hand, when I encounter these types of errors in recreational reading, it draws my attention to them in my own writing. I finished reading "that" book on Sunday. Yesterday, as I was editing BEING NEIGHBORLY (the new book! Yay!), I found many instances of echoes while vetting overused and filler words. But that's why I start the editing process before I send my book to the editor. So that my readers don't run into the same bumps in the road. 

Before I go too far into calling out the other author, I humbly remind myself that missing one's own mistakes is all too easy. I know how the story is supposed to read, so my brain reads what should be there rather that what is there. As we used to say in the day job, even with several people reviewing the work, mistakes still find their way through. With that being said, I go through several editing passes (along with my editor) to bring you the best possible product. 

By next week, I should be less "hyper vigilant" and maybe I can actually enjoy reading someone else's book! 

When a book disappoints you

I’m moving into the final editing phase of the next book, which means I’m taking a breather to read some of the books on my TBR pile. This gives me a chance to come back with a fresh perspective, and to take note of things I might have missed or glossed over. Reading my favorite authors often pushes me to be a better writer. Except when they don’t.

In the past month, I've read a few books that I was deeply disappointed by. First, an author new to me who wrote about a place near where I live and a tour I have taken. Familiar surroundings, you know? Let me say this--the book was well written, the imagery was spot on, and I completely "saw" the story. The problem? It's a serial. Each book isn't a story unto itself. I was not happy when I finished it and the three main suspects were killed off and more questions were raised. After investing my time and interest, I didn't get my payoff. As a reader, that annoys me. I stopped reading Anne Rice for that very reason. I loved her books, but they tended to be cliffhangers. The Lestat Trilogy? She hadn't released book 3 when I finished book 2 and I was NOT happy to read about the vampire climbing into his coffin where he was {gasp!} not alone. What? And now I have to wait to find out? I want each book to be a complete experience. Beginning, middle, end. No cliffhangers.

I also read a book by a "big name" author, one of my favorites, except she's changed genres. Instead of romance, she's been pushed (I'm assuming by her publisher) into women's fiction. She writes brilliant, deep point of view, has a sharp wit and loads of heart. All her romances have been winners for me. The women's fiction, not so much. I'm really sad to say she's no longer one of my favorites. Over the past five years, she's gone deeper into women's fiction, and the subjects are cliche and trite and over the top in many instances. Not to mention addressing too many issues in one novel. Infidelity seems to be a hot button for her. I generally read a book in a day or two. When I'm writing, it might be a week or so because my brain is otherwise engaged. This book took me a couple of weeks because 1) it didn't grab me, 2) it didn't get better, and 3) did I mention cliche? I read it to the end because she does sometimes meander through a book, but there's usually a payoff. Not in this one. If I'd bothered to pay attention, it would be predictable. The characters seemed like ones she'd written before with different names. 

This might also be a place to mention I'm not a fan of Nicholas Sparks. Not because he doesn't write good books, but because I don't want to cry at the end of a romance. I want that "feel good" feeling. One of my friends handed me The Notebook, and the ending caught me completely off guard. First and last one for me. Yes, I've seen some of the movies they made from his best-selling novels. Best-selling. That means he's good. But he's not for me.

Granted, as an author, we don't write a winner every time. These books had a lot of blood, sweat and tears poured into them, a lot of hard work. The writing is commendable. For me, the stories fell short. In regard to my "former favorite" author, she's lost me as a reader after several of these women's fiction forays. She has a big fan base, and I'm sure others will continued to be wowed--impressed. 

Back in the day... when I was growing up... ugh. Listen to how that sounds! The thing is, the authors I read when I was young were consistent. They didn't suddenly jump onto a trend. They wrote what made them famous and stuck with it. I have another favorite author who has been steered into the women's fiction genre (I'm sure the publishers/agents are pushing them away from romance), but she's managed to hold onto her stock in trade. She calls them "longer" books, because she adds more relationships in addition to the couple that gets together at the end, but when the focus shifts, something gets lost. (I haven't given up on her yet!)

So back to my TBR list. I have some new-to-me authors to read. Trying something new on my next read. Historical with a paranormal twist. Another disappointment. The author wants to make sure you know this is going to be a sexy novel right from the get-go. While I'm waiting for the plot -- and she does address the plot -- there are a lot of diaphanous nightgowns and heated reactions and "highly inappropriate thoughts" that are extremely distracting. Okay, I get it. This is a romance. But can we get there gradually rather than going straight for the *boing* factor? I want to read about the ghosts they're ignoring at least as much as I want to read about how they're getting to each other.

Are you a do-not-finish? A die-hard, read anything your favorite author puts out? Loyal to the end? What do you do when an author disappoints you? 

The Final Countdown - Choosing a Title

I'm closing in on The End of the next book. I'd love to tell you the title, but this is one of the struggles of writing a book - giving it a name that screams "pick me up!" In the push to get it finished, I've been putting the title on the back burner, devoting only random thoughts to it. We're getting down to the wire now. I need to decide on something soon. I'm thinking this week, since I'm editing and reviewing.

Some of the ideas that have resonated with me are "Funeral for a Friend" and "Reaper Cushions." Neither of those scream romance, although both of them address the theme of the book. Reaper Cushions is a play on the word repercussions and reflects my hero's penchant for "dad" jokes. The joke goes, "Why shouldn't you get into a pillow fight with Death? Because it has Reaper Cushions." Lame? Yep. But it made me laugh. My sense of humor is bent that way. As the story opens, we discover one of the friends has died. That affects the heroine. Then we discover that the hero's former roommate also died, which means both main characters are dealing with grief in very different ways. Harold and Maude came to mind (although that was the title of the movie, not the book). Is the book dark? Macabre? Not really, although when dealing with death, there are obviously moments. 

I spent some time looking at the titles of other new releases, and I have to say I'm largely unimpressed. I don't want to write a title like "Carrying the Billionaire Boss's Love Child." I'm sorry, those are just unimaginative to me. On the other hand, I have seen some fun turns of a phrase (which is what I'm hoping to stumble on). Things like "Miss Belief" and "Miss Understanding." 

The new release is expected in July, so I'd better get with it, eh? Stay tuned...

Ghost stories

I'm full speed ahead on the new book, and I have a date with the editor. You can look for the final Hoffman Grove installment (yes, this is definitely the last one) to hit the shelves in July. 

In the meantime, I'm also preoccupied with the new series plans. Two very distinct fieldtrips leading to three very definite story lines, which I intend to jump into as soon as this one is done. (More fieldtrips planned.) Since I'm going back to the "haunted" theme, one of the inevitable questions people ask me is "Do you believe in ghosts?" Most recently, the docent on my last house tour. My answer? "I don't NOT believe in them." Have I had ghostly experiences? I'd have to say yes, because I've been able to supply examples when people ask me. Are they the typical hauntings you expect when you think of ghosts? No. They will, however, hold me in good stead as I dream up scary stories to tell you! Hoping I don't scare myself! I have to say writing the Epitaph series scared me a few times.

I'm thinking I might share a few ghost stories right here on my blog as I prepare to spend more time in haunted houses. 

Which brings me to my question today. Have you ever had a ghostly experience?