Monday, January 30, 2012

Morrill's Monday Morning Mashup - 1/30/12


MASH-UP

creative combination
or mixing of content
from different sources.


For me, the past week has been full of writerly challenges. First, after a series of editing back-and-forths with my editor for Broken Dolls, I'd begun to have some concerns that the Japanese culture and the "little girl' nature of my character, Sachi Kimura, were being taken from the story. It was a tough decision, fraught with indecisiveness and fears that my editor had a world more of experience than I, and that I was giving up. But finally, by mutual decision, we ended our editorial relationship and wished each other the best.


Of course, that leaves me with the question, "What now?"


Second, because I had been so devoted to the editing process, I had decided not to enter any of the contests for the Oklahoma Writers' Federation 2012 Story Weaver's Conference this year. But, after the events referenced in my first paragraph, I decided--five days before the deadline--that I would pull together some stories and send them in. Good thing I work well under pressure.


Here are a couple of articles I found that helped me along the way this week:


C.S. Lakin
Once again, Jane Friedman to the rescue. If you haven't yet begun to follow her blog in one of the ways given in last week's mashup, you're missing out. I found useful information on the editing process in two posts this week. On JaneFriedman.com, Jane's guest blogger, C.S. Lakin, posts the article, "Four Ways to Find the Right Editor." Ms. Lakin's article provides good information, as well as links to other helpful sites. But it was in something she said about "fit," that brought me some comfort:
"Sometimes the fit just isn't right."





Jane Friedman
One of the links that Ms. Lakin refers the reader back to is Jane's article "Should You Hire a Professional Editor?" This post lists three elements that explain why hiring a professional editor sometimes leaves her feeling "less confident about an author's work."






Kristin Nador


For those of us who are challenged with keeping up our blogs, Kristin Nador has an excellent series called "Sharpen Your Blogging Habits." From finding your audience to amplifying your blogging voice, she gives step-by-step ideas on one of the best ways to build your social network.









QUOTE OF THE WEEK:


You must meet the outer world
With your inner world or
Existence will crush you.


      -- Mark Nepo

14 comments:

  1. I love your Monday Morning Mashup, Jan. You have once again pointed me to sites providing great information for writers. I checked them out and read their posts. I'm glad I did.

    You made the right decision, Jan. In my opinion, your novel, BROKEN DOLLS needs little, if any, editing at all. It is a wonderful story, excellently written.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jack, for letting me know these links were helpful. Most of all, thank you for your opinion on Broken Dolls. Your support means a lot. :)

      Delete
  2. I agree with Jack on the (lack of) editing needs of Broken Dolls. Great links again this week, Jan - thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jan, it sounds like you've been trying to get Broken Dolls into saleable shape but, in the process, following the advice you've been given has changed the book. It's no longer what you wrote. No one can tell whether any particular story will sell, but I have to ask: is success worth betraying your own voice? Please say no.

    Write your book, not someone else's.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Duke. I feel a strong voice with Broken Dolls. We will see if the book is ever a success, but in the end, I don't want to betray Sachi and her family's voice.

      Delete
  4. Wow! I agree with Duke. I've said all along that it is YOUR book. I think you made the right decision and when the right publisher comes along, you'll be glad you did what you did. Hang in there, gal. Broken Dolls is a great book and it will be published this year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Ruth. Sure appreciate all of your support and positive thoughts. :)

      Delete
  5. Well, I haven't read BROKEN DOLLS but have sampled your writing via short stories in anthologies, on blogs and for writers' prompts. And you're an EXCELLENT writer.

    Did the editor come with the publisher? In other words, do you have to start over with the query process? If so, bummer. I should be doing that now instead of attempting a new novel! You'll get picked up, though. I have no doubt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, Beth, this was a freelance editor, in preparation for a publisher. And thank you for your very kind comments on my writing. :)

      Delete
  6. Sounds like a good decision. You know what the internal essentials are in your story, and when the pubprep process begins to threaten the integrity of your work, it may be time to reevaluate. Though difficult, change may be necessary if the story you're working to sell is not the story you wanted to tell. My naive, untutored, and idealistic view...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. " . . . if the story you're working to sell is not the story you want to tell." Keli, that says it all. Thank you!

      Delete
  7. Thanks so much for the mention of my blog post over on Jane Friedman's blog. If anyone is thinking about hiring an ediotr or getting a critique, I have a lot more info and free material on my critique site. Just mosey on over to www.CritiqueMyManuscript.com. Some writers could really use a critique first before paying for full editing on a manuscript. Happy writing all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ms. Larkin, thank you for visiting my blog. Most of all, thank you for the great information you provided in your post!

      Delete