What to cut?

Since I've been in editing mode for a while now, I'm finding in some parts it's darned difficult to tell what needs to be cut versus kept versus re-written.  Kept some scenes, but did a POV switch.  I **think** it's better, but crap, when you're in the middle of it all, it's really hard to be objective.

Of course, since it's my book and by definition I love it, I can justify keeping just about anything.  That's what happened the first time I came at this.  I cut it from about 103,000 words to about 102,500.  Not exactly an effective job.  It's kind of like getting a run at Queen Anne Hill in the snow, getting halfway up and then sliding back down to the bottom (Snow reference since we're in the middle of Snowmageddon here). 

This time I'm trying to focus with a laser beam on the primary internal conflict between the h/h and also what their own internal conflicts are.  As much as possible, anything that deviates from that gets extra scrutiny.  Or at least I hope it does.

Do you have a technique for the first pass, second pass, subsequent passes?  Or do you look for specific things each time?  My "technique" is pretty darned hit-and-miss right now, but I'd probably be a lot more effective if I could refine this a bit. 

So what are your tips for editing?

Really??

Here's something I found on a to-be-unnamed freelance site:

Job: Ghostwriter for historical romance novel
Budget:  $500 to $1,000
Description: I am looking for a writer to write a novel with a historical romance theme.  I have no specifics for the story, so you would need to come up with title, plot, characters, etc.  It must be original, engaging, sexy, fast moving, short chapters, and grab the reader from the first page.  I am not looking for a long, drawn out romance.   We will own all rights including resell and rights.  You will not be permitted to use the content for any other purpose.The novel must be 120 pages minimum, 300 pages maximum.  I also need you to include:- 3 Recommendations for a title (must be original and unique)- A basic 1-2 paragraph summary/report description that simply explains what the novel is about and what it covers.  - table of contents.  Delivery within 60 days of author selection.  I'd like to see a detailed outline with full character descriptions within 10 days.  Daily updates (short emails) are required. This is a very easy job for the right person.   Suggested payment schedule: $25 for plot development and delivery with character descriptions (2-3 pages)  $50 for first 10 pages.  $50 for next 10 pages  $100 when first 100 pages are delivered  $100 on first draft delivery of full novel.  Balance on final delivery of proofread document. 

Is the person posting this job naive, crazy, or out to insult writers?  The sad part is, people with no idea how to write a good work of fiction will bid on this, and someone around the $500 amount will win, and another work of bad romance will be pushed out there for readers, editors and reviewers to point to.  Does the person posting this job think they'll make tons of money off the work, once it's "published"? (I put that in quotes because I doubt the end result will be publishable by any reputable house, so it will have to go self-publishing, which will once again dilute the quality for all those good romance authors self-publishing out there).  Or would someone with an old manuscript that's been rejected hundreds of times decide to utilize this as a way to get some quick money?

Would you take a job like this? 

Revising and editing

Okay, I'm going to get this book edited/ revised by the end of January or die trying.  Anyone else in revision mode?  Anyone have suggestions?  This is not my favorite part of the process, so I'm looking for any and all help I can find.

What's all the shouting about?

As I read the news and watch an admittedly small portion of television, I'm left somewhat dismayed at the level of sensationalism that seems to pervade anything media-related.  And I wonder:  must we shout to be heard above the din?  Must authors write books that "tell all" or let the reader in on some alleged "secrets"?  Whatever happened to shows like Seinfeld, where we could just take a humorous and ironic view of daily life?  What about books?  The top 5 NYT non-fiction titles for this week include one each from Bill O'Reilly and Glenn Beck, two men who make a living off of inciting dissension.  Will it get to the point where we, as fiction authors, need to insert something controversial just to make a sale?  It used to be that controversy would kill a sale; now I wonder if we're headed down a path where, even in fiction, controversy might be required to MAKE a sale.  I think that would be a very sad day for fiction writers.

Author Meg Mims!

I'd like to welcome author Meg Mims to the blog.  Meg has published a historical romance titled "Double Cross" that is a twist on one of my favorite western movies of all time, "True Grit".  She uses a technique that I really like, character interviews.  So without further ado, let me introduce Lily and Ace!

What do you get when you pair up a wealthy, well-bred heiress – sheltered and educated with an impulsive streak – and a gambling, mercenary Texan cowboy?

Double Crossing is a twist on “True Grit” that takes place on the 1869 Iron Horse – months after the Union and Central Pacific railroad lines joined at Promontory Point. Nineteen-year-old Lily Granville is stunned with her father is murdered and vows to track the killer – her father’s lawyer, who also stole a valuable deed to a gold mine – across the country to California.  After convincing a good friend to escort her, Lily arrives in Omaha and discovers that someone is now tracking her. Could it be the killer? And why? Lily decides to enlist “Ace” Diamond, who agrees to protect her – for a price.

Q for Lily – how did you first meet Ace?

A – He literally crashed his way into my life. I was stunned. He’d been brawling in the street and I felt my Christian duty was to help him when he landed at my feet. But then I caught sight of his Confederate belt buckle with the Texas Lone Star. Guilt overwhelmed me. My father would never have approved of such a man, and I was suspicious of the story he told me about my aunt’s husband. However, I soon realized I had no choice but to hire someone like Ace Diamond, who had far more experience with his fists and weapons than the friend who’d escorted me to Omaha. Ace seemed the most unlikely “angel of mercy” as an answer to prayer! But I suppose beggars can’t be choosers.

Q for Ace – what was your first impression of Lily?

 A – The moment I set eyes on that pretty filly, all golden-haired and sweet, with the most kissable mouth, I was bushwhacked. Couldn’t remember my own name.

Q for Lily – were you surprised that Ace bargained with you over his fee?

A – The nerve of that man! He claimed he wanted to go to California, and then he wouldn’t accept the fair wage I offered. He even demanded an expensive Pullman ticket! And then I found out he’d been bragging about the bonus I promised once we arrived safe in California. Really, Mr. Diamond was presumptuous and forward, given his tendency to—well, I will only say that he’s no gentleman. I shouldn’t have been surprised at all. He was a mercenary, plain and simple, and I was too naïve to see it.

Q for Ace – why did you accept Lily’s offer?

 A – Riding shotgun on a train, and gettin’ paid? Easier than winning a hand of poker.  But don’t you believe that I didn’t earn my fee. And then some.

Q for Lily – before the railroad trip, what was your dream for a happy future?

A – I wanted… well, I hadn’t decided. Charles wanted to marry me and serve as missionaries in China. We both heard the same lecture in Chicago. My father wanted me to marry a decent man, a good provider and give him grandchildren. He did not approve of the idea of me living half a world away. And while I did want adventure and independence, I wanted to be somewhere safe and to enjoy long talks with Father, sketch my pet lizard in the lovely garden or watch the leaves change in fall and the snow fall in winter. Father’s death changed everything. I blamed Emil Todaro for his greed and betrayal. He ruined my life and I wanted to see him hang.

Q for Ace – what about you, same question?

A – A good woman in a nice, cozy bed. Now I’m aiming for that woman to be Lily.

If you haven’t read Double Crossing yet, here’s where you can find it!

AstraeaPress

Amazon

Barnes& Noble

Thankful accomplishments

I want to wish everyone a hearty Happy Thanksgiving!  My kids are home and I'll be heading to California with the youngest to get her car down to L.A. 

In the meantime, I'll have a guest blogger here on Monday.  Meg Mims, author of "Double Crossing", has penned a twist on the classic "True Grit" movie, one of my favorites (the original, with John Wayne).

So tell me, what are you thankful you've accomplished during the past year?  Have you finished a book?  Entered a contest?  It doesn't have to be a big thing, but I think sometimes we forget to pause and pat ourselves on the back for what we've done.  I know it's human nature to focus on the stuff we DIDN'T get done, but put that aside for a few days and give yourself credit.

Me?  I've finally resurrected the bullfighting book and it's getting closer to being sent in again.  And I've been studying writing books and learning the craft ever better. 

How Dark is Too Dark?

I have several ideas floating around in my head, but the one that keeps coming back is dark, dark, dark.  Post-Civil War, and the heroine would basically be dealing with PTSD, even though it certainly hadn't been identified as a specific condition back then. 

How dark is too dark a book for you?  The Harry Potter series was dark, especially for something aimed at kids and young teens.  How far can you go in the historical romance genre?  Stephen King can get away with pretty much anything, but he's an outstanding writer and writes in the horror genre.  His stuff is SUPPOSED to be dark. 

Meagan Chance writes dark, and a lot of people consider Anne Stuart's stuff to be dark, although I just find it. . . intense, I guess is the best way.  Not overly dark, at least for me. 

What makes a book 'dark' for you, and at what point does it become so dark that you put the book down?  What great books have you read that were dark?  Any great, dark romances?