Comments on: Castration By Drapery, Or, The Importance Of Good Editing

By: ktwice

ktwice — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 19:14:14 +0000

Dearest Mother, I believe I am correct in my use of the word “was”, though this is one of those things that I could, if inclined, argue either way.* Doesn’t the subjunctive mood imply that if something were to be the case, then you would use the word “were”. But if something is indeed the case (the “were” implying that the case is actually false), then you may use the “was” form of the verb? Because I am indeed already a fan. Of course, my use of the word “would” might tip the scales in your favor, though the more you twist it, the stickier it gets. I actually spent more time considering which form of “to be” to use than I did on the shoes I wore that day. And I always carefully consider my shoes.
* This is why the husband often suggests that I disagree with everything as a matter of course. Because I do.

By: The Aforementioned Mother

The Aforementioned Mother — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 17:15:02 +0000

First, I must thank you for taking those two books and giving me the room to turn around. Secondly, I am supremely proud of you and the exchanges I’ve just read, but then I read your last comment. Please, my favorite oldest child, remember when one uses the past subjunctive of the verb “to be”, one must use the plural verb “were”. (…if I weren’t…) How’s that for editing. Love ya.

By: ktwice

ktwice — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 04:43:06 +0000

I wouldn’t disagree with the electronic copies being part of the problem theory. Proofing is such a painstaking process that sometimes you need to do it manually. Mistakes happen — I certainly make enough to know that.

By the way, you’ve been incredibly gracious about this. That alone would make me a fan if I wasn’t already.

By: Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 21:08:13 +0000

~Twelve books in various stages would leave absolutely no time for a person to shop.~

Oh well, my God! My heart actually stopped for a moment at the thought.

I wish I knew, and could speak to authoritatively regarding the typos and missteps that seem to be more of a problem lately. Partially, I think it’s the e-copies of mss that go in–though I send hard and e. And I know that now and then I’ve caught or corrected something in galleys that hasn’t made it into the finished copy. But then I’ve missed corrections that have.

After the holiday madness, I’ll talk to my editor/publisher and see if we can work on the problem. Honestly–and no sucking up as she doesn’t surf the net–I have one of the hardest-working and smartest editors in publishing. But shift happens.

By: ktwice

ktwice — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 20:52:11 +0000

Nora — having been on the receiving end of dangerous draperies, I can agree. I appreciate that you took the time to comment (please don’t think that I was suggesting you were one of the “above editing” authors — the story was about someone of an entirely different gender). I have noticed increased grumblings from readers for several years now when it comes to the close editing of books; I don’t know why this seems to be happening more and more often. It clearly didn’t stop me from reading the book (nor did it stop me from stealing the next in the series from my mother — if I didn’t take books, she’d have no room to turn around in her house).

And I’m glad you clarified the number-of-book-in-the-pipeline question. Twelve books in various stages would leave absolutely no time for a person to shop.

By: Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 12:29:25 +0000

Let me say first that draperies can be very dangerous things.

However, I have no excuse and no explanation as to why there were so many mistakes in the book. It shouldn’t happen, and it falls on me, my editor, the proofer, the typesetters, the publisher. We’re all to blame, imo, when something like this happens. I can only go on record apologizing for all of us.

And also go on record as saying I’m not one who feels I’m above editing. I believe, strongly, that every writer needs an editor. I value mine very much.

While it’s true no one messes with my process, my editor is very much part of that.

As far as books in the publishing pipeline–twelve?? At the moment I have four novels and a novella in house for publication next year. That’s about par for me.

By: ktwice

ktwice — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 04:04:30 +0000

While I would agree that nobody should mess with what is clearly a successful process (heck, I find it a struggle some days just to write two paragraphs, I can’t even comprehend having that many books in the pipeline.), even the best need editing. I once heard that there is a certain echelon of authors who feel they are above the editing process. Nobody is that flawless. This is the first time I’ve seen so many errors in one book. It was bit surprising to me. And I think it does have a negative impact on consumers.

Thomasina — nothing depicts of the importance of a careful proofreading like that story. It’s hard for the author to explain that one to his or her mother…

By: Deb Smith

Deb Smith — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:37:23 +0000

As a lowly semi-peer of Nora Roberts aka J.D. Robb, I recall talking to Nora’s agent years ago and being informed that “No one messes with Nora’s process,” and that, on average, Roberts had six-to-twelve pre-pub books in the pipeline every year. Wowser.

By: Cindy Procter-King

Cindy Procter-King — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 20:37:05 +0000

LOLOLOL. I can’t comment, just laugh hysterically at Thomasina’s comment.

By: KathyF

KathyF — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 20:34:47 +0000

I’m pretty sure that in the not-too-distant future the word “it’s” will be accepted usage for the possessive form of “it.”

And by the way, my mother-in-law who knows something about these things informs me that draperies are never to be called drapes.