Aug. 27th, 2014

[identity profile] mbarker.livejournal.com
Writing Excuses 9.35: What to do when you disagree with your editor

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2014/08/24/writing-excuses-9-35-what-to-do-when-you-disagree-with-your-editor/

Key Points: Beware the mismatch. Publishers usually understand that you and your editor may not match. Is that a risk there? Yes. Conventions are good places to build relationships. As a writer, if things are not working, saying so will not blacklist you and ruin your career. Not saying anything may ruin you. Make it a business decision, not personalities. Lay out the groundwork and offer an alternative. You may be orphaned, or passed on to another editor. When you have an issue, look at your priorities. "It's your book, you have to be happy with it." When you disagree, step back and look for what needs to change -- it may not be what the editor thought it was. If you disagree, try a phone call and talk it out. Be aware that the editor has marked all these changes and given them to you -- but that doesn't mean they are beating you up with repeated notes, they are just being thorough. Watch for shared visions! Licensed IP is different -- it is their book.
Negotiation and friendship? )
[Brandon] Excellent. Dan has a writing prompt for us.
[Dan] Yes, I do. I had one. I forgot what it was.
[Brandon] I even prepared you ahead of time.
[Dan] I know. I remembered what it was and then... Okay, I remember what it is now. Totally unrelated to anything we've been talking about. Okay, you're going to write like a sword fighting scene or a fencing scene à la Princess bride where they're kind of jabbing wittily at each other with every stroke. But then, you're going to make the witty jabs part of the magic system...
[Brandon] Oooo
[Dan] That makes the fight possible.
[Brandon] That's really cool. Well done.
[Howard] Suddenly he really isn't left handed.
[Laughter]
[Brandon] This has been Writing Excuses. You're out of excuses, now go write.
[Applause]

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