  Short Stories
This week: So, what did you think of my story? Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Short Stories Newsletter. I am Shannon and I'm your editor this week.
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A few weeks ago a friend of mine asked me to read her sister's self-published book. I smiled on the outside, but cringed on the inside.
Okay, I admit it! I've always been a bit closed-minded when it comes to self-publishing. I viewed it as cheating (I'm sure my old-fashioned ways played a role in this train of thought), and I rationalized my prejudice by thinking, Anyone can self-publish. There's no prerequisite--no litmus test (yes, I do believe a person's writing ability, or lack thereof, should determine whether or not he/she is published), and if this person's writing is half as good as their family and friends say it is, why hasn't it been published the old fashioned way?
I'm coming around a little, although I'm not sure self-publishing is the route for me. I'll have to think about it some more.
I downloaded the e-book version and read it cover-to-cover. My opinion varied from page to page and chapter to chapter. I frowned. I smiled. At one point I screamed, "Ugh!" aloud and longed for someone to put me out of my misery. There were chapters that made me laugh and others that made me breathe a sigh of relief when I finished them. It was a real love-hate relationship, but my overall impression was a neutral one. I wasn't looking forward to the inevitable "your-sister-is-definitely-an-above-average-writer-but" conversation, but I also knew I wouldn't be able to lie. I'd be honest in my critique.
This is how it went.
"Have you read it yet?" she asked.
"I did. I took it to the lake and read it in two days."
"So ... what did you think?"
"It was okay."
"Just okay?"
"Well, I finished it. That's a good sign, right?" I smiled at her, but she was clearly not in a smiling mood. My attempt to break it to her gently had apparently backfired. I decided to try a different tack.
"I think she told the wrong story."
"What do you mean?"
"The real story is Bev's infatuation with the occult. I think the job-related stuff was an afterthought."
"What do you mean? She should have left everything about the forest service out completely?"
"Yes. If she'd deleted the forest service stuff and focused on the story she really wanted to tell--Bev's secret passion for the occult--I think she would have a much tighter, more satisfying story."
"That's interesting. It makes sense, though."
"Your sister is an above average writer," I said. "Sure, there is room for improvement, but there were passages that made me say, 'Wow, now that is exceptional writing!' How much did she pay for editing services?"
"I'm not sure. We never talked money. Why?"
"Well, I think she got took. There were obvious errors an editor should have caught, like repeating complete sentences two or three times in the same paragraph."
"Oh God, really?"
"Really." I watched her absorb this information before I continued. "I see she's working on the next book in the series."
"Yeah, she hopes to publish it in the spring."
"I would love to read it--give it a once-over before she submits it."
"That would be great!"
"I have this quirk: I highlight as I read ... whether it's a regular book or an e-book. I highlight the really good along with the really bad. I can provide a line-by-line edit of your sister's first book, and I'd be willing to help with her second if she's interested."
The next day she slipped me a piece of paper. "I spoke to my sister," she said. "Her real name is Brandi, by the way. She wrote the book under a psedonym. Anyway, she'd like you to email her the line-by-line edit of her first book ... if you're still willing to send it, that is. She's glad you highlighted the good along with the bad. She appreciated that."
I'm working on converting the highlighted e-book edit points into a Word document. As promised, it contains the really good alongside the really bad. I pinpoint what didn't work for me and why. I also shed light on the exceptionally beautiful. As with all my reviews, I begin with the following disclaimer:
Please keep in mind that any suggestions I make here are just that: suggestions. Pick and choose which ones you like or discard them in their entirety. You and only you can decide what's right for your work. Every writer has an individual style--a unique voice to share with the world, and originality is not only welcome, but encouraged.
I hope to encourage, assist, support, and build a trusting relationship that will benefit both of us. Maybe I can help her become a better writer.
Maybe we can help each other.
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Feedback
The following is in response to "Short Stories Newsletter (October 13, 2010)" :
katherinerose says, "I always like reading about character writing, and I enjoyed your newsletter very much Shannon. Thank you. Flaws in characters is not something I thought about, but now I will work on that.
saraiv says, "What a great newsletter. And the way you presented it was superb as well. Flaws of our flesh always grab our attention. Or in other words, we are all struggling to overcome something. =)"
Zeke  says, "I agree it's good to give your main character a flaw. Sometimes it can even be a major one. I think this makes them more real."
eanderson35145 says, "Roger reminds me of Piney from a play we're doing at the moment, 'A Bad Year for Tomatoes.' Minimalist dialogue can be very funny."
LJPC - the tortoise  says, "Shannon, loved your newsletter The dialog was so funny and felt completely authentic. You're so gifted regarding realistic dialog. Next, thanks for the great point about flaws. All my characters have flaws, but none of them have addictions. It never occured to me before.  Thanks!"
D.L. Fields says, "As the leader of our writer's group would say, 'Your character shouldn't be Flat Stanley.'"
Thank you all for taking the time to read and comment. I hope you had a fun-filled Halloween, and here's to wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by family, friends, and fabulous food. See you next time (December 7, 2010)!
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This week's challenge was inspired by ♥noVember tHiNg♥  . Thanks, COWser!
Would you like to win a Success MB AND 50,000 gift points, just in time for Christmas? Well, here's your chance!
Those of you who entered last year's "Dear Me: Official WDC Contest" [E] ... how did you make out? Did you come close? Send me the link to your 2010 "Dear Me" letter and write me a 1000-word essay (essay can not exceed 1000 words or it will be disqualified) detailing how you either met or fell short of your expectations. The one I like best will receive a Success MB + 50k GPs. Winner will be announced in my next Short Stories Newsletter on December 7. Good luck! |
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Short Stories: November 09, 2010 Issue [#4062]
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