It’s exactly one month until publication date for Shred Sisters. I started it three years ago with the following sentence: Here are the ways I could start this story. It didn’t write itself, but for the next seven months I couldn’t stop writing. Then two years of revision. LOL. I had the help of many astute and generous readers and finally the best editor I could have hoped for. She took me through two rounds of editing that blew my mind. She helped me re-structure the book, she “alerted” me to my propensity for overwriting, she made sure every emotion tracked. She had big picture notes and incisive line edits. And then with a single piece of advice, she gave me the key.
What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?
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Betsy Lerner 
“Trust your words.” I also tend to overwrite. I’m ever mindful of it.
Diane Melton
it takes the evocation of three senses to make something come to life. Not an exact quote, but this was from Flannery.
the best writing advice is to keep writing.
Write what you know. Yes, it’s trite and everyone hates hearing it, but write what you know doesn’t mean strictly what you know, but where you know. Location, physical and mental, sets the stage for whatever it is you want to write. Yes, it’s part of what you know, but it’s subtle and provides a sense of confidence, a feeling of familiarity, that can be returned to when the story goes off the rails. You can write about whatever the hell you want, but what makes it believable is the background, the pond where something happened, the way the land looks at sunset, etc.; the things you feel as well as know.
Editing is critical, but don’t do it obsessively when the text is flowing. Bill William H. Reid https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Night-Aurora-Colorado-Shootings/dp/1510735526 CLICK HERE to order A Dark Night in Aurora: Inside James Holmes and the Colorado Mass Shootings. (New York: Skyhorse). A powerful book that delves deep into a seriously deranged mind.—New York Journal of Books Visit/Follow Bill on Facebook (/fewer.sorrows) X/Twitter (@ReidWritings) Instagram (@ReidWritesBooks). Mastodon (@ReidAuthor@Newsie.Social)
“It is not about writing, this thing that you are doing — it is about composition. Com. Po. Si. Tion.”
Gordon Lish
This is the beauty of a brilliant editor.
If you could be so kind Betsy, share the key. Mine is stuck in the G D lock.
2Ns
John C. Krieg
There’s two:
“One thing, however, is certain; the only persons whose rejection really counts is your own. No matter how many people return your work, the only one who can send you packing is yourself.”
Betsy Lerner
“Only you can decide what price you are willing to pay to bring your writing talents to fruition, and what is fair trade to assure that when your life flashes before your eyes, it holds your interest.”
Greg Levoy
I am so impressed that you as an editor’s editor are humble enough to give so much credit and thanks to your editor on your latest book. It really makes me reexamine a lot of my resistance to past editors. Yes, I realize that someone set apart and away from the book has a different perspective that could be valuable, but when they start changing titles and restructuring the work, I have to admit that I can get stubborn. So, I will have to take what you have written here under utmost consideration. Thank you.
I am hesitant to give anyone advice concerning this torment and self-flagellation we call writing. I remember when I read Annie Dillard’s “The Writing Life” when she wrote [paraphrasing] that you had to be willing to suffer any hardship, even live in squalor, to bring your work to life, that you should do it. I felt condemned by that because I stayed in a career that paid the bills and wrote as a side hustle. I felt like maybe I deserved that lack of success because I wasn’t willing to suffer for my art. Then I read “An American Childhood” and discovered that she came from fortunate circumstances, and that advice she gave rang a little hollow. So, I’m careful; but when asked by young people, all I’ll tell them is: “A writer writes.”
Joe Konrath at my local library asked what’s the difference between a published author and an unpublished author: The published author never gives up. That’s it in a nutshell. He sent out 100 portfolios and he signed with Jane Dystel decades ago. I met him in about 2008, the year the Book Expo was in Chicago. The rest is history. He has books by publishers and he self publishes also to the tune of a million dollars. He was and has always been very generous. I think that’s the real thing. Be humble, be gracious and grateful.
From the late great agent, Janet Reid, “who is your character, what do they want, and why can’t they get it.”
In more or less words.
Also, that tidbit above in your post, “make sure every emotion tracks.” (GOLD!)
So glad you found such a great editor, both for you and your novel.
And the most helpful advice I’ve received is to write as if you’re writing a letter to a friend. It really helped me let down my guard, stop trying to commit an act of literature, and use a confiding voice.
The very best piece of advice I was given was to read it aloud. While doing self-editing, this is how I find the hidden mistakes I miss when reading.
Also…I think I might have heard someone once say something like, “if you want to write for a living, write like it’s your job!”
Have a great day, y’all
PRint it out and read it aloud. Crucial steps not to be missed. 100%.
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