http://www.floggingthequill.com/flogging_the_quill/2008/02/flogometer-fo-6.html
My debut novel Master's Mistress was a two year journey for me. Through highs, lows, bouts of self pity and more, I struggled through. When I sent the first chapter to Mr. Raymey for review I wasn't sure what would happen but I thought what they hey, can't hurt.
It did. My pride took a pounding for about half a day then I kicked myself in the behind and said listen to what he says, take what you can from it and run! I'm glad I listened to myself. Master's Mistress was the #1 Bestseller for May 09, for Champagne Books - a feat that I never believed was possible, but I'm happy about it anyway!
Let me know what you think of his words. They're hard, quick, and concise in my opinion, and not for the weak of heart - but so very worth soaking in.
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I agree with most of his edits, for 2 reasons. One, less is more, always. Unless you're Shakespeare writing for the Nurse--unless your character or narrator is necessarily wordy--then don't be, especially in narration. Secondly, how a writer edits his wordiness is how he creates his style. For that reason, wordiness is the killer of style. He was trying to omit needless words--important enough--but he was also trying to show you how to edit and create a writing style.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree that you always want to have active writing. Flashbacks are passive, as written like this. You especially don't want to have passive writing at the beginning of your work. Readers--and agents--will be turned off. If a flashback is necessary--I start my ms. off with one--write it in the present tense. The reader will understand it's a flashback--or, in my case, a PTSD moment.
Hope this helps!