I’ve worked with several different editors for the series I’ve written/am writing.
Each editor has been very different. I’ve actually really appreciated the differences because I’m getting a different perspective each time I go through an edit.
My editor for the new series has kept me on my toes. I’m not good on the phone (actually, I hate phones), so I usually try not to talk on one. I’m also someone who makes books up as I go along…I don’t outline.
This editor likes to talk on the phone and review outlines. :)
The process has probably been good for me. Although it’s been challenging.
Our last conversation, though, showed my discomfort with both phones and outlines, all at once. My editor said, “Yes, the story you’re planning sounds really good. But I was wondering if you could change the killer?”
Now, if I’d been emailing, I would have written something really polished back. I’d have said I was delighted to change the killer and here were three alternates. Did she have a preference?
Since I was on the phone, though, I said, “Uhhhhh….”
It wasn’t that I was upset about making a change. Actually, I frequently change the killer while I’m writing my book…or even after I’ve written it. Easy enough, because all the suspects have motive, means, and opportunity. It doesn’t really matter to me which one does it because I’ve set up up so any of them could have murdered the victim.
But the difference was that I hadn’t written this book out yet…it was an outline. And I was on the phone. And I hadn’t thought it through.
Once I’d recovered and told her I’d be happy to make the change and would email her the possibilities, I took a look at the outline. She’d blown my mind enough that I couldn’t even remember who the other suspects were.
I found, though, that if I changed the killer, it actually was going to make the mystery a lot more interesting. As I started exploring the possibilities, more ideas came to me. Some of the ideas weren’t going to work, but others were more interesting.
It really changed the entire book, since it was an outline. If I were just doing a revision of a finished book, it wouldn’t have probably changed it that much…because I’d just have tweaked it in a few places and rewritten the last couple of chapters.
I’m still no fan of outlines (even though this particular instance worked out well), but it made me think about the other project that I’m starting right now..the one that I’m not outlining. I always have a big-picture idea of a book when I’m starting out, a general direction I’m heading in. In fact, I usually write the back cover copy for a book before I start writing the manuscript.
Maybe I could write several completely different big-picture ideas for the new book. Wildly different from each other. And see which one I like best.
Do you come up with different outcomes of a book when you’re brainstorming? Or do you latch onto the first feasible idea you have (which is, ordinarily, what I do…although I frequently revise it later)?
Elizabeth – I’m sure it must really keep you on your toes to work with the different editors you’ve worked with. I’m so glad that you liked what happened to your WIP after you’d made that change. I know it’ll be a great story.
I have to say, I’m an outliner. I am. But that said, I only do sketchy outlines. That way if something happens as I’m writing, I’m flexible enough to go in a different direction. That happened with the manuscript I just finished. I ended up adding two new major characters and completely changing the personality of another. It all worked out well, too.
I haven’t planned anything that could remotely be considered an outline. I’d be willing to give it a shot if I had a multi-book deal, though. Meanwhile, I’m a “change as you go” writer, so I don’t get to “the end” and have to go back and make major changes.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
Yes, I normally have several possible culprits. In terms of plotting, how detail do you do it?
Every Savage Can Reproduce
Enid–I make the plotting pretty vague, if it’s up to me and not required by an editor: Victim and why the suspects wanted to kill him, suspects and how they related to the victim, why my sleuth is involved in this case, who the second victim is (I usually have 2), who might have wanted to kill the 2nd victim and where the suspects were during that crime, and whodunnit.
I usually list out several different ways it could end before choosing the best one!
I’m a big outliner and I always know who the killer is before I write it. In fact, I always start with the killer and work the mystery around that. For me, the victim doesn’t really come alive for me (no pun intended) until I start the novel. The killer is key, for me.
omg, it sounds like we have the EXACT same approach to writing books. I have a big picture idea, something like a back cover blurb, and an idea of how it ends. AND I despise talking on the phone to editors/agents, too. Either I forget all they said or I’m like you: Deer in headlights at every question/suggestion.
But I do think your evolving approach is a good one. I might try it next. Good luck! :o) <3
Margot–You’re so organized! It seems like a very reasonable way to write a book to me. I don’t know why I have such a hard time with it.
Laura–I’ll have to try that. :)
Clarissa–Interesting! For me it all starts with the victim. Maybe I’ll try the next book with the killer and see how that goes.
Terry–It’s tough, I’ll admit. I’m just not an outliner…usually.
LTM–Yes, it was a deer in the headlights moment! Ha!
Thanks for the good luck wishes! I’m trying it out today. It’s sort of out-of-the-box thinking for me, because I *know* the idea I’ve got will work…but maybe there’s an even better idea.
I stick with the ending, but the journey to that end changes directions many times. All in the outline of course, because I couldn’t write without one!
You’re going to learn outlining yet, Elizabeth.
I rarely write anything down before beginning the ms, but I do let the characters roam around in my head for a few weeks before I start. I generally have the beginning & ending planned, the rest works itself out. :)
Everyone is different, each project even I think! But what I find most interesting is that it’s that simple to change the killer. :D Pretty neat inside info from a mystery writer.
I’m a total pantser. No outline. It makes me feel caged in. That said, I HATE editing when I have no idea what direction I’m going with the story. I want to do better with a rough outline and free writing. I’m trying to on my YA Horror I’m working on. Thanks for the post and ideas!
Reinforces the concept of giving other people’s ideas a second thought – even if your knee-jerk reaction is negative. Good for you!
Some editors perform a minimal level of ghostwriting to meet these ends, and some provide suggestions to the author for alternate wording or layout of chapters.