Topic: Writing a novel and editing

Conventional wisdom seems to be that if one writes a novel then one should have a professional editor edit it before it is published.

However, I feel that if I did that, then the novel would not be "by me".

So, even if the professional editing of the novel improves it, even if I were to agree that the version after the editing improved it, I would still feel that it would not be "by me" but would be a derivative work based on a novel by me.

I cannot think that I would want it published with just me listed as the author, because that to me seems untruthful.

Please discuss.

William

2 (edited by GB 2022-03-19 23:48:12)

Re: Writing a novel and editing

Professional or not, good editors do not rewrite. They will suggest changes, but it is up to the author to act on them or ignore them. What little I've read of your past novels suggests to me that you do need a good editor.

Re: Writing a novel and editing

Hello Geoff

Thank you for your post.

In relation to my own novels, firstly it is nice that you have read at least some of what i have written.

I know that two people have kindly read it all and that a few other people have read at least one chapter.

Anything in particular that seemed to need altering please?

I only have two certificates in creative writing, each regarded as equivalent to 0.2 of a GCSE. One certificate for each term of a two-term evening course that I took in 1997. Assessment was by participation and a portfolio of one's own writing. The course included lots of types of creative writing, for examples, short stories, one act plays, haiku.

When my progress with the invention that the novel is about seemed to be in the doldrums in 2016 I decided to try to write the novel as a way to try to make progress.

The novels are rather unusual in that they are two things in one, both a sort of science fiction novel and a way to convey my ideas. One feature is the way that two or more characters can discuss something, so as to present various ways at considering something.

I know that the conventional way to write a novel is to complete it before publishing, but I published as i wrote, chapters not always in numerical order. If I had used a process of writing it all before publication it is possible that I would never have got it finished.

One person, in the early days, with not many chapters published nor wriiten, who I had asked for comments, expressed the opinion that the story did not enthuse him - I forget his exact way of putting it - but that it did convey my ideas.

If anyone would like to have a look at the finished novel, it is available, free to read, no registration required or requested, as follows.

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~ngo/novel_plus.htm

The novel was intended to be complete story in itself. However after completing it I missed writing it so there is a sequel but it is not yet complete.

William

Re: Writing a novel and editing

I agree with you about the editor smile
no matter how good the editor is or the suggestions, it's really about conforming to a 'standard' of expectation by the readers.

If we all do that, nothing new ever be written.
Same with screenplays... cookie cutter-stories and productions.
I should know, being a film producer for decades... haha

My scripts and stories are not conforming to 'standards' and 'am not interested for someone to edit it. The text, stories are there as if I was speaking to you directly... misuse of words, failed structure and content is plentiful. That's just me, my character.... shows the lack of higher education smile

Yet, people want me to tell them stories of my life, real or imagined. My delivery of a mundane story, add a bit of color and presentation will get the result.. a smile, laugh or deep thought of the seriousness of the subject matter.

Started a weekly post few years ago about and old man such as myself, musings....
So the title is Musings for Geezers.

Young people don't care about it. It doesn't contain car chase, explosions, drugs and wild sex in the subway car after midnight smile

Geezers.
We all had life experiences and it's time to talk about it or read... and remember the good times we all had and some really shitty ones as well.

Here's an example of my posts. I will have a website soon as I find my WebPlus software for my Win-7 machine....



https://i.postimg.cc/N27Z11mm/photo-2023-09-11-10-05-02.jpg