tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3690071068685176270.post3468562862793417575..comments2023-10-11T02:03:11.021-06:00Comments on Melanie Stanford Daydreamer To Writer: Too Much Editing?Melanie Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00065112319140571241noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3690071068685176270.post-42949645420594424592011-07-28T11:28:11.747-06:002011-07-28T11:28:11.747-06:00To answer that question--nope. Even established au...To answer that question--nope. Even established authors have talked about picking up one of their books and wishing they could change this or that. Do what you feel is best for the story, but I do think more than three full MS edits is too much. Give agents and editors a chance at that point.<br /><br />Good luck to your edits! Glad I found your blog. :)David P. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17259276981865439853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3690071068685176270.post-69774584885219050852011-07-28T11:23:59.763-06:002011-07-28T11:23:59.763-06:00It's a hard question to answer because I felt ...It's a hard question to answer because I felt like I edited my first book to DEATH, but now that I'm a WAY better writer? I want to take the story and re-write it because it would be easier. And it's not that there's anything specifically WRONG, it's just that it could be better.<br /><br />When you're at the point where you think you've edited to death. Either set it aside for 2-4 weeks OR find a crit person who you DON'T KNOW.<br />Ask them to look over a couple chapters for you.<br /><br />Once you have a few books under your belt - you'll come up with a system.<br /><br />I've read my MS about ten-twenty times.<br />Read aloud to my husband.<br />Send it to reader one.<br />Make corrections, fill in blanks.<br />Send to reader two - do the same<br />Read out loud to myself (because the poor husband doesn't need that anymore)<br />Send it to another person I know.<br />IF I'm unsure at this point, I can still send it to my agent. IF I didn't have an agent, this is where I'd find someone I didn't know. Now that I"m comfortable with the story and am maybe not swayed by every little comment - and see what someone has to say that doesn't know me. I'm VERY leery about comments from people I don't know. They tend to be meaner, and I tend to not trust what they have to say, but it can be another starting place.<br /><br />Wow. That was a mouthful!!<br />Good luck!Jolene Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14809468564016928636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3690071068685176270.post-48320811473461645002011-07-28T11:02:41.650-06:002011-07-28T11:02:41.650-06:00This is my concern too. I think I've edited th...This is my concern too. I think I've edited the life out of my story. *sigh* The thing is that a good agent/editor also knows the market and may suggest revisions/edits anyway no matter how squeaky clean we've made it. <br /><br />I think at some point we are just going to have to walk away. I just hope I know that moment when it arrives.Charity Bradfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01960821077619680661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3690071068685176270.post-72155674225944141742011-07-28T10:00:45.019-06:002011-07-28T10:00:45.019-06:00With editing, I think it's always better to do...With editing, I think it's always better to do more because the more you rewrite the more chances you have to improve the storyline. <br />Also, rad blog, really like the style:)Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793077012143289985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3690071068685176270.post-1273334724758471622011-07-28T08:43:06.682-06:002011-07-28T08:43:06.682-06:00I wish I knew. When every last speck of joy has go...I wish I knew. When every last speck of joy has gone from the process? When you honestly don't know what else to do? When it's in print? I'm gonna try following my gut, listening to my heart, or whatever you want to call instinct. I'll let you know if it works.Ben Spendlovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17715176546668792509noreply@blogger.com