tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post3108209496776829188..comments2024-03-28T08:48:51.749-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: How Nitpicky Do We Need to Be With Our Manuscripts?Jody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-74505817180524035942012-10-24T15:10:21.532-04:002012-10-24T15:10:21.532-04:00Thanks for stopping by Kassandra! Yes, we definite...Thanks for stopping by Kassandra! Yes, we definitely have to distinguish between molding the language for our use and then just flat out making mistakes!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-70139034253873081302012-10-24T10:57:38.348-04:002012-10-24T10:57:38.348-04:00Hey, Jody. First visit to your site. Love it! Saw ...Hey, Jody. First visit to your site. Love it! Saw a shout out on Natalie Hartford's site and bopped on over. I'm still learning the craft (aren't we all) and I agree, a well-told story is the key to success whether traditionally or self-pubbed. I intentionally abuse the rules of grammar for a variety of reasons. In dialect most definitely but also sometimes to emphasize something. If it flows, the reader never notices that it wasn't a complete sentence, even though my high school English teacher would cringe. But flat out mistakes are another matter.Kassandra Lambhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12868883056262771642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-67097510292521742092012-10-23T09:05:20.069-04:002012-10-23T09:05:20.069-04:00I couldn't agree more, Rob. Both for the reade...I couldn't agree more, Rob. Both for the reader and for myself, I want to put out a product that is as near to perfect as humanly possible. Of course, my internal editor has OCD, and one minor error can pull me right out of a story. I guess I tend to assume that it's the same for everyone else.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05817149439247706118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-76086432097338076492012-10-06T11:28:36.978-04:002012-10-06T11:28:36.978-04:00I try to craft the story, but I'll deliberatel...I try to craft the story, but I'll deliberately stick in language idiosyncracies that other people stumble over. They fit the language and the culture that I'm writing about, but it has the same effect as writing a whole character in deep south dialect.<br /><br />Oops.Laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04137538450232783883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-37541055792767151272012-10-02T05:27:45.333-04:002012-10-02T05:27:45.333-04:00Bother ! The classic mistake ! I didn't re-r...Bother ! The classic mistake ! I didn't re-read the above and now I see I have written "for me" twice ! Hey-ho ....Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07879110277794171468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-45516803025135264952012-10-02T05:26:28.347-04:002012-10-02T05:26:28.347-04:00I am asked, from time to time, to read somebody...I am asked, from time to time, to read somebody's typescript. It never ceases to amaze me how many people think they can write, how many people cannot spell (bearing in mind the difference between English-English spelling and American-English spelling),and how few are able to tell a gripping story.<br />I think, for me, my problem is more along the lines of whether or not my story is interesting to others. It is all so relative. My book "French Sand" is, for me, a gripping story - yet it does not sell anywhere near as well as the others.<br />Catherine Broughton.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07879110277794171468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-1909177845823803912012-10-02T04:13:59.016-04:002012-10-02T04:13:59.016-04:00I think we need to know the 'rules' of gra...I think we need to know the 'rules' of grammar like we know how to breathe - and then use them thoughtfully. So if we break them we know why, we know the impact it will have on the rhythm of a sentence, on the consistency of character. <br /><br />The art - as I see it - is to write so that the reader cannot see the art! So the words sweep the reader along with the story rather than being tripped up by clunky sentences. But for the writer, this needs meticulous attention to those very sentences!JOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03127111575563904349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-55701802826304826552012-09-28T22:08:29.604-04:002012-09-28T22:08:29.604-04:00Hi, Jody! Having just turned in my 20th published ...Hi, Jody! Having just turned in my 20th published novel, I can say for me its still a struggle to find the balance. Each pass through one of my novels, I focus on something different, either the story or perfecting sentences. It also helps me to give a little time between each read through. That gives me a little distance. This is a great subject that I think all writers struggle with. Thanks!Leanna Ellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14593441784425151288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-20719880419363517152012-09-28T06:32:12.142-04:002012-09-28T06:32:12.142-04:00I'm working on finding the balance right now. ...I'm working on finding the balance right now. In the past, I've gone overboard with the technical and now I'm concentrating on the story aspect. I so hope to find the perfect balance.Traci Kenworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07336373871521363649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-43976195319712015152012-09-27T22:15:23.009-04:002012-09-27T22:15:23.009-04:00Hi Heather,
I personally have not noticed a big d...Hi Heather,<br /><br />I personally have not noticed a big difference between CBA and ABA standards. My publisher (Bethany House) has never mentioned to me that they prefer dialog tags a certain way or action beats instead of "said." I actually use a bit of both in my writing. So I don't think there are any hard, fast rules for this. Again, I think it comes back to the story. If we're telling a riveting story, editors aren't necessarily going to care if we use "he said" versus an action beat. In other words, we shouldn't be sweating those things. Obviously, we should do the best we can to hone our writing skills and employ techniques that will make our stories flow smoothly. But overall, I've found that my publisher isn't hounding me and nitpicking every word of my story. They're more concerned about getting the story into something readers will love.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-24363665432080832122012-09-27T22:09:54.140-04:002012-09-27T22:09:54.140-04:00Hi Rob,
Yes, by the time a book is ready for publ...Hi Rob,<br /><br />Yes, by the time a book is ready for publication, we should have that book in as perfect a condition as we possibly can. As a traditionally published author, my books undergo multiple in-house edits before hitting shelves. I would think that a self-published book should undergo the same rigors of editing.<br /><br />Readers deserve our best! But the other truth is that if a story is gripping enough, most readers will overlook some of our unintentional blunders.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-65892194381254397632012-09-27T22:05:44.532-04:002012-09-27T22:05:44.532-04:00Hi Andrea,
Great point! We need to match grammar ...Hi Andrea,<br /><br />Great point! We need to match grammar and word use to the character in BOTH dialog and narration during that character's POV. Thanks for the great reminder!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-62743545833677731852012-09-27T22:03:30.258-04:002012-09-27T22:03:30.258-04:00Hi Gina,
I can totally relate to how you're f...Hi Gina,<br /><br />I can totally relate to how you're feeling!! By the time I read my Galleys, I feel that it's the worst story ever! I see every glaring "mistake" all the adjectives and adverbs that I could have cut, and the repetitious words, passiveness, etc! But the truth is, we're being overly critical at that point! Readers aren't going to care about an extra adverb or two! They'll be looking at the story.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-85034939430606830522012-09-27T22:01:25.259-04:002012-09-27T22:01:25.259-04:00Hi Becky,
Yes, a poorly formatted manuscript or c...Hi Becky,<br /><br />Yes, a poorly formatted manuscript or chapters riddled with errors gives editors and agents just one more reason to say no to our books. And we certainly don't want to be rejected simply because we didn't take the time to make our books as professional as possible.<br /><br />I think, however, many writers tend to get hung up in the little details and think they're getting rejected because of them. But usually the rejection has more to do with the quality of the story (that it lacks originality or freshness or just isn't put together well). That's why I think it's important for writers not to keep on laboring over the same book year after year attempting to make it perfect. But rather to keep on writing new stories! Hope that makes sense!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-76153424803414012052012-09-27T19:45:48.183-04:002012-09-27T19:45:48.183-04:00I would tell your friend that there is a certain d...I would tell your friend that there is a certain dialogue standard within the CBA. It is NOT the same as the ABA standard. The CBA frequently expects beats (action) to indicate who's talking--not the "he said, she said" structure of yesteryear. Action tells who's talking now. (for example: "Get out of my house! Jenny whirled back toward the stove.") Not my fave thing, but if you don't nail that, it will stand out like a sore thumb with the agents/editors. At least that's what I've found! What do you think, Jody? I STILL haven't read any of your books (*sigh*).<br /><br />Heather Day Gilberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12353914883176152555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-78426356583325964222012-09-27T19:11:21.364-04:002012-09-27T19:11:21.364-04:00At first blush, "nitpicky" may carry a n...At first blush, "nitpicky" may carry a negative connotation, but to truly honor the reader's commitment of time and energy, anything--weak plot structure, stilted dialog, spelling / punctuation errors--that interrupts the vivid and continuous reader's dream must be eliminated from a book's final form. My editor is nitpicky, and even a little snarky at times ... and I wouldn't have it any other way. I owe as near-to-perfect a book as I am capable of to my potential readers.<br /><br />To the growing ranks of self-published authors, our common goal should be to produce books that are indistinguishable from traditionally published works. Hire a freelance editor, proofreader, book designer, whatever it takes to make your book as near-to-perfect as possible ... before you publish it!Rob Mahanhttp://robmahanbooks.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-49982978002376102042012-09-27T14:57:34.970-04:002012-09-27T14:57:34.970-04:00"...to boldly go where no man has gone before..."...to boldly go where no man has gone before." <br /><br />This is the 20th century's most famous split infinitive. Certainly Gene Roddenbury knew the rule about not splitting infinitives, but he did it anyway, just because he could. (I hope I spelled his name right.)<br /><br />My college grammar professor called this "flouting the maxim," and he drummed into us that it can be a very effective literary tool...but only if one knows what one is doing. <br /><br />I like your example of matching the grammar and word use to the character. And that means narrative too, not just dialogue. A scene written in a certain character's view point, needs to sound like that character.<br />Andrea Stronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04561504163570350209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-37267067940295098642012-09-27T11:19:15.535-04:002012-09-27T11:19:15.535-04:00As I do my final read through on a novel I wrote y...As I do my final read through on a novel I wrote years ago, but contracted THIS summer, I'm still finding some areas of weak writing and passive words. But I can't go back and change them all! If I did, the story would never get out. So if something comes to me while I'm writing to make a sentence stronger, I change it. People already like the story, so I'm not too worried about a few more WASes than I'd like to see. The bottom line for me is if they are so into the story that they don't notice some of the "weak" writing, than I did my job!Gina Conroyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13647753231391009981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-59685783629084033532012-09-27T11:05:53.009-04:002012-09-27T11:05:53.009-04:00Good morning, Jody,
This is such a tough subject ...Good morning, Jody,<br /><br />This is such a tough subject - and that sounds so trite when I look at it. But I have read quite a few manuscripts over the last several years (mine, included!), and one of the first things that sets me on edge is the appearance. If it's not formatted correctly, I sigh and prepare myself for a tedious read, regardless of how fine the writing/story-telling may be. <br /><br />Nitpicky? Maybe. But I can't tell you how PLEASING it is to get an MS that has everything in the right place; margins and headers and footers and chapter breaks, etc. all lined up and uniform. When those areas aren't addressed, the whole flow of the MS is broken up. Commas out of place, one paragraph that should be three, the word 'they' twice on page 200 - those things don't bother me at all. Those are oversights and happen to the best of us. <br /><br />Not making formatting a priority, however, tells me a few things about a writer: 1) They haven't taken the time or made the effort to follow instructions - RED flag! 2) Presentation is not priority - RED flag, especially when we're presenting Christ! 3) There must be some kind of entitlement going on inside that doesn't require them to follow the same rules as everyone else who's working so hard to get their manuscripts just right - RED flag! <br /><br />This is exactly why it is sooooooo important to have critique partners, fellow writers who will hold each other up and help work out the kinks BEFORE someone on the business side of the publishing industry slaps you down. I so appreciate the crit partners in my life who look at my work and point stuff out before my work goes public. It's kinda like having hubby tell me my dress is inside out BEFORE the date, you know?<br /><br />I'm going back inside now to turn my dress right side out.... <br /><br />Blessings,<br />Becky :-)<br /><br /> <br /><br />Becky Doughtyhttp://www.beckydoughty.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-23361376497119028922012-09-27T10:59:56.137-04:002012-09-27T10:59:56.137-04:00Hi Lindsay, Yes, that story is SO key! It has to b...Hi Lindsay, Yes, that story is SO key! It has to be unique and fresh and gripping. So finding that break-in story is always a challenge. That's why it's important to keep writing and not to give up after the first book or two. Because we never know which story will be our break-in book!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-16302268040065984782012-09-27T10:58:26.598-04:002012-09-27T10:58:26.598-04:00Hi Joe, by the time our book reaches publication, ...Hi Joe, by the time our book reaches publication, we would hope it to be fairly flawless (especially after several good edits). But that isn't always the case, unfortunately! <br /><br />However, I've learned that a book doesn't need to be perfect to garner the attention of agents/editors/publishers. A writer might be a good story-teller, but might not be a great self-editor. And that's why we really need to invest in an editor (if self-publishing) or have the benefit of good editing through traditional publishing.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-18477148223727428632012-09-27T10:52:03.618-04:002012-09-27T10:52:03.618-04:00You're welcome, Shelly! It's a great topic...You're welcome, Shelly! It's a great topic to explore further!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-72894735838904521122012-09-27T10:47:33.190-04:002012-09-27T10:47:33.190-04:00I know I can write; I have the degrees to prove it...I know I can write; I have the degrees to prove it. ;) jk. But in all seriousness, I've been rejected mostly because my story wasn't unique enough, etc. So I know I need to focus on craft, structure, plot, brainstorming, etc. It helps to know where we are weakest, because I think all of the elements work in tandem to get you noticed.Lindsay Harrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09379628592162011068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-78783442214994955582012-09-27T09:45:34.698-04:002012-09-27T09:45:34.698-04:00As an avid reader, I expect grammar and punctuatio...As an avid reader, I expect grammar and punctuation to assist in communicating the story to me, without distracting.<br /><br />When I have to read a sentence multiple times trying to figure out what it said, because of poor sentence construction, missing words, or incorrect punctuation, that is distracting.<br /><br />Dialogue that flows as I would expect the character to speak is not distracting, but natural.Joe Potehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00128078440003054702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-61500815793328173812012-09-27T07:16:32.437-04:002012-09-27T07:16:32.437-04:00Jody,
Thanks so much for elaborating on this topi...Jody, <br />Thanks so much for elaborating on this topic! I try to be conscious of basic grammar rules when I'm writing but have intentionally broken some as well for the sake of the story. Particularly in dialogue. Since I write contemporary romance, I try to write dialogue in such a way that people in my every day life would sound like. I also like using the short, choppy sentences for effect. Shelly Daumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02783105000628699370noreply@blogger.com