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Ask Meg
Jan 23, 2013 5:00:56 GMT -6
Post by annae on Jan 23, 2013 5:00:56 GMT -6
Meg, In your blog you say you're changing the book during editing. Are the changes major storyline changes and change your thoughts on the direction of the book, or just changing the timing of events? How major are the changes? I'm not asking for spoilers (although I wouldn't object if you do), Im just really interested in the changes made during editing and how big a change you would make to the series while editing just one book. Also who decide the book wasn't good enough as it was, you or your editor? Sorry if this bores some people but I'm really curious. Thanks Anna
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Ask Meg
Jan 23, 2013 11:37:35 GMT -6
Post by Meg on Jan 23, 2013 11:37:35 GMT -6
To be very brief, the episode was running super long, there was too much exposition, and I knew the entire package was weak when I handed it over to Emma. I have some super bad habits of falling too in love with details. Which is unfortunate when you think how important it is to pay off all the suspense we've built up PLUS set the stage for the continuation of the series.
I just plain did a really sh*tty job of it because I'm bored, which shows up quite clearly on the page. It kills some of the fire to work on something when I know exactly what's going to happen, and Emma, being sensible and quite annoyingly gracious about the whole thing, asked, "What can we change to make this a challenge for you?"
What we decided was to frame this episode in a completely different way than the others. I took one scene from the existing episode and decided to make it the entire structure. It means chopping up the scenes, reordering some things, highlighting what's really important, summarizing others. This way, it won't be dull as hell for me to rebuild and revise, and more importantly, a quicker, more engaging read.
Think "Out of Gas" meets "The Usual Suspects."
So today we're doing the fun bits -- deciding what's most important, re-outlining completely, ensuring I don't leave loose ends, and triple-checking continuity.
Good times, I tell you. And since lunchtime (and playtime) is over, I'm off (after confessing way more than you probably wanted to know).
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Ask Meg
Jan 25, 2013 5:43:10 GMT -6
Post by annae on Jan 25, 2013 5:43:10 GMT -6
Thanks Meg, I find the whole editing business fascinating. And having to re-write stuff, hell i can't even write the first time around! Thank you for sharing. Good luck. I look forward to the finished product!!!! Anna
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Ask Meg
Feb 13, 2013 9:27:32 GMT -6
Post by ilyushin on Feb 13, 2013 9:27:32 GMT -6
Meg, do you really want to bother with Fifty Shades? Knowing how much the editorial details get to you I am worried for you sanity with the writing. I made myself do all three because the idea behind the story is cool, but OMG did the writing (errors and just plain bad writing) get in the way. Could have been fabulous, wasn't. Anyway, I would be interested to see what you think of it and if you can finish it :-)
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Ask Meg
Feb 13, 2013 16:55:05 GMT -6
Post by Meg on Feb 13, 2013 16:55:05 GMT -6
Yeah, I'm actually looking forward to reading it. It's been waaaaaaaaaay too long since I've gone on an erotica/erotic romance binge.
Of course, I haven't read Game of Thrones yet, either, and I'm dying to get to that one. Plus I go on these like... comfort food Potter and Percy Jackson binges, which is kind of bizarre, considering I grew up on romance novels.
Anyway, what thread was it where I was supposed to warn people about release dates? We're getting really close with ATQM.
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