When in Doubt, Take it Out
If there's a line or paragraph that makes more than one of your critique buddies go "huh?" the easiest fix is to take it out. As I've said before, you don't want anything to stop your reader. If you look at the copy edits page, there was a "please clarify." Again, the easiest fix is to strike the sentence, and unless it is close to my heart, I'll do that -- otherwise I'll revise, like "Please reword."
Now, on the "please reword" I don't know if she meant it was awkward or what. I think I did "her throat clogged with fear" and got a please reword which I changed to the standard "her chest tightened." One of the things I ALWAYS stet (keep the same) is when I get a rewording that includes "felt"..."she felt..." That is telling, not showing and I try to show as much as possible.
Of course when working on the copy edits, some things are easier just to let slide by...or delete. Sad but true for me at this time in my life. I have a lot of other writing I should be doing.
Love to all,
Robin
Now, on the "please reword" I don't know if she meant it was awkward or what. I think I did "her throat clogged with fear" and got a please reword which I changed to the standard "her chest tightened." One of the things I ALWAYS stet (keep the same) is when I get a rewording that includes "felt"..."she felt..." That is telling, not showing and I try to show as much as possible.
Of course when working on the copy edits, some things are easier just to let slide by...or delete. Sad but true for me at this time in my life. I have a lot of other writing I should be doing.
Love to all,
Robin
posted by FantasyAuthor RobinDOwens | 8:33 AM
4 Comments:
That sounds like a sound principal to follow. Why fight about it if it's not something that you feel strongly about?
Belated congratulations on your Prism award! (I don't read blogs on-line regularly, but still--congratulations!) --Rose
someone once told me that there will be ten major (and countless minor) arguments over the content in a book and the author will win perhaps two, so save it for something important!
Intersting note, sex, I hadn't thought of that before. I know for Sorceress I had to change the name of my heroine -- had no chance of winning that one. This time, however, I've been using my STET more often...
Robin
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