pbray: (wga-dexter)
pbray ([personal profile] pbray) wrote2007-12-12 10:20 am
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Notes from copyediting

This is the sixth time I've had this copyeditor, and I have to report that this is the lightest series of edits I've ever had. The queries took up less than one page.

I wish I felt that this was a sign that I've grown as a writer. Instead the pessimist in me is convinced that she missed giant gaping problems, so I've been staring at each individual word.

There are still some parts of the book that I like, which is a rarity at this stage of the process. I cracked up while reading the scene of Josan translating a poem--his life is very much in danger but at this particular moment he's ignoring everything else because he's obsessed with getting his terms correct. [livejournal.com profile] lnhammer I was thinking of you while I wrote this part--because I knew that if this were your book you'd have been able to come up with a nifty poem to stick in this spot, instead of the careful dodge* that I had to do.

Anyway, one last skim through at lunch looking at all the spots that are still tape-flagged, then off to mail it after work.

*Note: if the circumstances call for poetry and you don't feel up to the task, then make it clear that the lines included are a translation of the original, and have your viewpoint character mock how bad it is.

[identity profile] jjschwabach.livejournal.com 2007-12-12 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)
However, many of us are perfectly willing to read over the MS if you feel like you're missing some huge problem. It's no trouble. Honest.
And I can keep a secret, I swear...

[identity profile] pbray.livejournal.com 2007-12-13 12:30 am (UTC)(link)
Hmm... why do I suspect a plot? :-)

Thanks for the offer, but I think everything is good and have shipped the manuscript off to New York so I can enjoy the holidays with a clean conscience.

Where clean conscience is defined as coming up with a new book proposal....

[identity profile] jjschwabach.livejournal.com 2007-12-13 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
You can't blame a girl for trying...

After all, when Ysobel becomes Empress...?

When Josan reveals his true nature....?
(Watches Tricia's Buddha-like smile.)

I wish I had the problem that my publisher couldn't wait for my next.

[identity profile] pbray.livejournal.com 2007-12-13 01:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Well the current issue is deciding just what the "next" will consist of... hopefully there will be good news in the New Year.

[identity profile] jjschwabach.livejournal.com 2007-12-13 11:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Hard cover!

Paying you so much money JK Rowling will turn greener than the cover of Half-Blood Prince!

Book tours that drag you to Hawaii! In January!

[identity profile] pbray.livejournal.com 2007-12-14 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
Hey, I'd settle for Hawaii in August :-)

[identity profile] jjschwabach.livejournal.com 2007-12-16 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
True that.