tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post2845713926177225433..comments2024-03-28T08:09:24.086-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: Why Skimping on Macro Editing Could Cost You ReadersJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-15687150436463405262014-12-20T11:53:03.021-05:002014-12-20T11:53:03.021-05:00As a reader...thank you.As a reader...thank you.Deena Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12267100019443842145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-3989997493882507702012-06-15T04:03:35.934-04:002012-06-15T04:03:35.934-04:00I am a compulsive hoarder of clothes with stories,...I am a compulsive hoarder of clothes with stories, <br />shoes, <br />paper for tax audits <br />and abandoned novel drafts. <br /><br />On my computer, I have saved 105 revisions of my recently published novel, Crazy Bitch: A Portrait of Domestic Violence?. They chronicle the journey and, even now, there are still changes I wish I could make...Ms Neveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14070117844533082250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-26660509287635789372012-06-06T19:44:18.961-04:002012-06-06T19:44:18.961-04:00You're so right. Rewriting is murder. It's...You're so right. Rewriting is murder. It's good you have such a supportive editor. I'm envious. But did he really write "...to be dealt with, head-on, <i>unflinching</i>"? I know, it's only a micro-error. But he is a professional. Don't pass up the opportunity to tease him about it.duvoisinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14938942109242320052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-28387235884797291462012-06-02T11:02:57.560-04:002012-06-02T11:02:57.560-04:00Well said!!!Well said!!!Dawn Montgomeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13094479667234469671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-26356276283734844522012-06-01T23:59:02.412-04:002012-06-01T23:59:02.412-04:00Thank you for sharing this, Judy. You always have ...Thank you for sharing this, Judy. You always have interesting and helpful things to share.Mart Ramirezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09492840883926331053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-68343363243273768452012-06-01T19:40:54.180-04:002012-06-01T19:40:54.180-04:00Jody, thank you for this article. I just realized ...Jody, thank you for this article. I just realized what I'm in the middle of doing: the macro edit. Taking out big swaths of writing, and figuring out where I need to put stuff in - and this, without re-reading the scenes I wrote months ago, which will need to be re-written, anyway. Working on the story arc.<br /><br />Love it! What fun!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-70529680631764170092012-05-31T05:45:31.123-04:002012-05-31T05:45:31.123-04:00I find Macro edits very time consuming and overwhe...I find Macro edits very time consuming and overwhelming, but in some ways I really like them too. I feel like they really help me get to the heart of a story, and I get to spend more time with my characters.<br /><br />That said, I haven't been through an editor yet. I'll bet the comments, even when correct, can be really discouraging.Rinellenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-79488419602187202292012-05-30T21:50:20.529-04:002012-05-30T21:50:20.529-04:00Hi Francis,
I agree about the ideas. After that fi...Hi Francis,<br />I agree about the ideas. After that first temper tantrum, I always see the benefits of the suggested changes. They have always made my story stronger!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-36907509496065246842012-05-30T10:06:29.321-04:002012-05-30T10:06:29.321-04:00Hah! Yes. Right in the middle of content edits mys...Hah! Yes. Right in the middle of content edits myself. <br /><br />Someone once asked what's a good way to get on with your editor. My flip answer was 'Never tell them your initial reaction to the edit letter.' Because mine is usually 'Waaaah! How in hell am I going to do that?' Even when a) I know they are right and b) I had niggles about that bit before I sent it in, and was wanting/asking for their reaction. <br /><br />But then, as you say, you just have get your big girl panties on and do it. After my initial kneejerk reaction, I actually LOVE content edits - they always, but always, give me ideas on how to strengthen the story. And that's what a good editor does for you.Francis Knighthttp://francisknightbooks.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-17360168429436418772012-05-30T04:27:00.185-04:002012-05-30T04:27:00.185-04:00I began my first novel in the summer of 2004. Half...I began my first novel in the summer of 2004. Halfway between then and now (summer of 2012) the book did its own macro edit. <br /><br />I just woke up one morning and - boom - the book had reshaped itself.<br /><br />The first (re)draft then wrote itself. In seven months. <br /><br />What an encouraging blog: thank you.Sally Crawfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05716797681409311554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-17986816596671343832012-05-30T03:25:34.923-04:002012-05-30T03:25:34.923-04:00It's something I definitely am glad I thought ...It's something I definitely am glad I thought to do during the editing stages. I knew that there were some serious inconsistencies in my characters and some unexplained factors in the overall plot which needed to be dealt with and a second pair of eyes always helps to identify and pinpoint where the work needs doing most. I'm yet to get a professional pair of eyes onto it, but it is on my list of things to do. :) Thank you for sharing!Bonnee Crawfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01513268628209169538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-41278605241318798842012-05-29T22:12:32.336-04:002012-05-29T22:12:32.336-04:00Wow, Luke worded that so beautifully, it's eno...Wow, Luke worded that so beautifully, it's enough to make most writers dig in and work hard for the sake of the reader. Thanks so much for sharing this. It makes me less fearful of the work ahead. And good luck with your rewrite!Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-91055473401287120532012-05-29T18:44:21.880-04:002012-05-29T18:44:21.880-04:00I agree, this stage is REALLY hard. I've under...I agree, this stage is REALLY hard. I've undergone my very first experience with substantive edits and despite the fact that it included a meltdown or two, I knew my editors had so much wisdom and experience under their belts and that the suggested changes really were for the best. The book became stronger and I was amazed by the results of all that hard work. Ok, and now I'm trying not to think about the fact that I get to do it all over again really soon! :)Joanne Bischofhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12850714020955061159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-44337985432767090192012-05-29T18:33:04.752-04:002012-05-29T18:33:04.752-04:00Jody, great post! I always enjoy reading what you ...Jody, great post! I always enjoy reading what you have to share.<br /><br />I think I have the opposite problem. I write a novel in a few months, then spend the next several years macro editing. It's exhausting! But I'm no stranger to ripping my books apart...My last novel is on its 7th rewrite, but I've set it aside for a bit. I realized I needed to work on writing a few new books to get some experience on story building and writing--rather than rewriting. (Because I definitely need practice if my books take that much rewriting!) <br /><br />It would definitely be discouraging to get a book to a point where I'm happy with it, then find out it needs more. Lots of chocolate indeed! Good luck with your macro editing!Teegan Purringtonhttp://teeganpurrington.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-54808163493530035022012-05-29T18:21:59.587-04:002012-05-29T18:21:59.587-04:00Thanks for sharing this, Jody. I think I've be...Thanks for sharing this, Jody. I think I've been rewriting for a year now - it's my first novel so unfortunately I don't have a deadline. My draft had so many holes in it I couldn't read through it. Plus I'm a proofreader, so I quickly get into the weeds and miss the big picture. Nice to know that more experienced authors have to go through these major revisions, too!Elizabeth Saundershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01616212913975457786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-28152854415554978332012-05-29T17:18:49.096-04:002012-05-29T17:18:49.096-04:00Jody, you've made my day!
Not only have you c...Jody, you've made my day!<br /><br />Not only have you convinced I'm not crazy to think tackling my revision letter is hard work, but you've given me a name for it: macro edits. Thank you!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-60274875888863653232012-05-29T17:04:32.467-04:002012-05-29T17:04:32.467-04:00Thanks so much for sharing your experiences, Jody....Thanks so much for sharing your experiences, Jody. To know even seasoned authors face fear like this is going to be helpful when facing multiple rewrites, whether before or after getting editor advice.patti.mallett_pphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453756965198648016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-18398245511020460862012-05-29T16:22:40.049-04:002012-05-29T16:22:40.049-04:00Macro edits sound really scary:( Thanks for the r...Macro edits sound really scary:( Thanks for the reminder that's it's so your readers can enjoy the story! So even though I don't want to do them...I guess they need to be done....c'est la vie ;)<br />Great post!Lorna Faithhttp://www.surfingforshoes.com/wordpressnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-83682975965419164372012-05-29T15:50:48.993-04:002012-05-29T15:50:48.993-04:00Lovely post, as usual. It's really a great exp...Lovely post, as usual. It's really a great experience to be edited by people who care about your story. I am blessed in the same way as you--my editor really edits and are about the story. I hear more and more that books are not getting edited. That has not been my experience at all. Thank goodness!Mollie Bryanhttp://www.molliecoxbryan.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-60988296640170979302012-05-29T15:30:03.922-04:002012-05-29T15:30:03.922-04:00As a wanna-be novelist, I’ve yet to experience the...As a wanna-be novelist, I’ve yet to experience the macro edit. But I imagine that it is akin to having a visitor in the hospital right after you’ve had a baby.<br /><br />The visitor glances at the baby, shrugs and offers his two cents.<br /><br />“Eh, not bad, could use some more hair on top, lose the angel kiss, even out the skin tone.”<br /><br />Are you kidding me? I labored for hours to bring this baby into the world. She’s perfect!<br /><br />But then I’d have to wise up, realize that a book and a baby are two different things, and get to it.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing. I love your honesty!Sara Sudermanhttp://sarasuderman.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-29945105779323051682012-05-29T15:02:34.213-04:002012-05-29T15:02:34.213-04:00P.S. Sorry for what looks like a repetitious first...P.S. Sorry for what looks like a repetitious first sentence, but the first one disappeared, so I started again, only to have both sentences appear when the comment posted. Weird!!Carol J. Garvinhttp://careann.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-16556598815682701462012-05-29T15:00:33.053-04:002012-05-29T15:00:33.053-04:00Jody, I love how you share your personal reactions...Jody, I love how you share your personal reactions. You are so *real*, LOL... I love your honesty in this, Jody!<br /><br />After several revisions, I did a complete rewrite on one of my earlier stories. It involved some plot changes but also POV and tense changes. Then I revised several more times until I was sick of working on it. I wish I'd had the experience to know I should have started with the rewrite, but it wasn't until revisions weren't helping that I finally went there. As newer writers I think we get hung up on the minor things, worrying about a hook, brilliant sentences, perfect grammar, etc., and it's not until we learn more about the craft that the importance of bigger things becomes evident.<br /><br />As much as editing input may seem like criticism of our initial writing, wanting to make the reading experience as good as possible is reason enough to welcome the suggestions. I like your editor's attitude. :)Carol J. Garvinhttp://careann.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-37539077520272984872012-05-29T14:29:31.879-04:002012-05-29T14:29:31.879-04:00After breathing a much needed sigh of relief after...After breathing a much needed sigh of relief after publishing the second book in my trilogy, I am now delving into micro edits with a completed contemporary project I put on hold. Hard work sometimes, but always needed.Wendy Tyler Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10841984342368861282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-71659102572950795132012-05-29T12:28:45.431-04:002012-05-29T12:28:45.431-04:00I've gone through my first draft, and I'm ...I've gone through my first draft, and I'm working on my own version of macro editing. I have SO much to rewrite! Sometimes, I get discouraged because it's so much work. And when I ever get to the stage of publishing, I know there will still be a lot more work! It's all worth it, in the end.Handy Man, Crafty Womanhttp://www.handymancraftywoman.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-33463421363818414672012-05-29T11:05:42.717-04:002012-05-29T11:05:42.717-04:00I agree, Susan! Luke's notes were TOTALLY reas...I agree, Susan! Luke's notes were TOTALLY reassuring, especially hearing that even the best authors never nail their first drafts. Makes me feel less like a loser! ;-)Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.com