As an editor, I take pride in not interfering
with a novelist’s voice and ultimate decisions. No, really. I always, always have
the author’s
well-being at heart, and I am always, always nice, not the least bit crazy. At all. Well, except maybe for when . . .
The
Find-a-Synonym Game Goes Wrong
We all know a synonym is a word or phrase that means
exactly or nearly the same as another word. But it’s the “nearly the same” that
can make me a little crazy. For instance, I
think one grimaces when in pain, either physically or emotionally. Yet Microsoft
Word lists grimace as a synonym for frown, and I have seen that synonym used
in more than one book without said pain, making me want to grab a permanent marker.
As someone who is sorta kinda entitled to
her own opinion, I beg you not to go with grimace for the heroine who is merely
unhappy, not even though Word says it’s okay. Not unless she is also in the
middle of a grimace-worthy ugly cry or has truly and severely broken bones in her
body. For all that is
precious, please play the synonym game by my rules. Sniff, sniff.
Notoriety
Is a Good Thing
If I made a list of word misuses, notoriety would be at the top. And this
time Word's list of synonyms back me up. Notoriety is not a good thing. It does not mean
one is “of note.” It means notorious, bad. Downright nasty sometimes.
So if you tell me your character has
gained notoriety for his crimes, fine. But if your character comments that Mother Teresa gained
notoriety for her good works, I am climbing through the cybersphere to get
you. And while I have you by the neck, I might go after you for other possible
infractions, like penning anxious when you really mean eager, or jealous when
you really mean envious, or . . . Oh, sorry. I got carried away, and some of
that goes back to the synonym game anyway. Interfering is hard work.
Bodies
Can’t Do That
This is a hard one, I know. But again, I am
begging. Unless your hero swallows the tears coming out of his eyes and flowing down his cheeks, those
tears cannot clog his throat, right? Yes, I know you don’t want to write about the gross snot
that can drain into his throat, making for a nice, debilitating clog so he can
hardly tell his love how much she means to him, but, please, work around this somehow.
And think about your heroine’s
poor, poor heart. If it drops into her stomach or lodges in her throat one more time, she
might not make it to the last chapter of your book. I can see it now, on page 184:
Publisher’s Note: We’re sorry,
but this novel has ended a little bit prematurely, before the really good, award-winning part, because the character of Mary
succumbed too soon. Her heart traveled to and from her stomach one time
too many. But we hope you’re still eagerly [not anxiously, unless you are quite
concerned about who will replace Mary] awaiting book two in this thrilling series, Body Wars.
Okay, okay. I’m not really a bug-eyed, crazy
editor. Not much. But, yes, if I ever edit something for you, and
your novel involves lips, I may have to ask if you are sure lips can form a thin
line. Just because my fat lips won’t do it doesn’t mean it's not possible.
I’d just like some photographic evidence, please. Is that too much to ask?
After twenty-four years with publishing house Zondervan in Grand Rapids, Michigan, most recently as an executive managing editor, Jean Bloom returned to Central Indiana to be near family and take her freelance editorial business full time (Bloom in Words Editorial Services). Her personal blog is Bloom in Words too, where she often posts articles about the writing life. She and her husband, Cal, have three children and five grandchildren.
After twenty-four years with publishing house Zondervan in Grand Rapids, Michigan, most recently as an executive managing editor, Jean Bloom returned to Central Indiana to be near family and take her freelance editorial business full time (Bloom in Words Editorial Services). Her personal blog is Bloom in Words too, where she often posts articles about the writing life. She and her husband, Cal, have three children and five grandchildren.
Photo credit: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=109069&picture=fuzzy-mascot
What a delightful blog, Jean! I'm also a freelance editor and my list of things that make me crazy gets longer and longer as I've switched from editing nonfiction to editing fiction. I always assure my clients that I'm on their side... ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh, and I forgot to mention that I'm also a Hoosier, living in Central Indiana.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nan!
DeleteA grimace can also show disgust (which is a dictionary definition), and I sometimes use it that way--especially if my protagonist has been frowning too much. But I agree with the points you made.
ReplyDeleteYes, I can think of many disgusting things that would make me grimace. :) Thanks, Kathryn.
Delete