CUT? or STET! as the case may be
Never Defend Your Work: HA!32 total reviews
Comment from judiverse
Did a bigtime editor like Dreyer really write that? That was truly excessive wordage. People often don't like to have their own work criticized, even though they claim to welcome criticism. When I was in a writer's group, one lady was always talking about "gentle critiques." Informal usage seems to be the thing these days. There's hardly a distinction made between "like" and "as." This is interesting and amusing. It describes how writers' sensitive feelings may prevent them from seeing errors or turning on the reviewer. Great work. judi
reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
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Did a bigtime editor like Dreyer really write that? That was truly excessive wordage. People often don't like to have their own work criticized, even though they claim to welcome criticism. When I was in a writer's group, one lady was always talking about "gentle critiques." Informal usage seems to be the thing these days. There's hardly a distinction made between "like" and "as." This is interesting and amusing. It describes how writers' sensitive feelings may prevent them from seeing errors or turning on the reviewer. Great work. judi
Comment Written 02-Dec-2022
reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
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Thankssssss, Judy!
Actually, the book was overall very well-received; it got 4.5 stars on Amazon. My gripe was with the confusing minuscule footnotes; when I checked the few negative reviews to see if others had the same complaint, I found the diatribe as quoted in my piece. As to the monster intro sentence some excoriated, I think he may have padded it intentionally to make it longer to slog through so that the reader would experience the drawn-out tedious chore of an editor.
As to informal usage, I once wrote a parody piece on how we can get away with errors if we attribute them to our characters! Indeed, the distinction between "like" and "as" has gone by the wayside in conversation. The sloppy usage of "like" in place of "as" was one of that teacher's pet peeves!
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You're welcome. Great comments. I may have a copy of that book. I'm checking to see. judi
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Liz,
You have much more discipline than I do, or perhaps you have a higher tolerance for pain. I fear that I would have looked at the title of the book and continued down the shelf looking for something more entertaining to read. I need to be titillated I suppose. I can appreciate proper grammar, but sometimes it can be overwhelming. It appears that some folks don't get a chance to enjoy your work because they are too busy looking for errors. I just accept that I'm going to screw something up. Who the heck decided what was proper English anyway? Thanks for sharing gal.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
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Hello Liz,
You have much more discipline than I do, or perhaps you have a higher tolerance for pain. I fear that I would have looked at the title of the book and continued down the shelf looking for something more entertaining to read. I need to be titillated I suppose. I can appreciate proper grammar, but sometimes it can be overwhelming. It appears that some folks don't get a chance to enjoy your work because they are too busy looking for errors. I just accept that I'm going to screw something up. Who the heck decided what was proper English anyway? Thanks for sharing gal.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment Written 01-Dec-2022
reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
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Actually, the book was overall very well-received; it got 4.5 stars on Amazon. My gripe was with the confusing minuscule footnotes; when I checked the few negative reviews to see if others had the same complaint, I found the diatribe as quoted in my piece. As to the monster intro sentence some excoriated, I think he may have padded it intentionally to make it longer to slog through so that the reader would experience the drawn-out tedious chore of an editor.
Comment from Ric Myworld
I don't make friends easily, primarily because I don't like most people. But I connected with you almost immediately because of your kindness and constant encouragement, when your knowledge in writing and grammar could have annihilated every sentence I wrote in red corrective notes. But you never did. You offered a few suggestions that could have been ten fold, so as no to discourage. You're a fantastic writer, an even a better steward to the craft, and my friend! Here's a great big bear hug and a peck on the forehead! And tell Chuck to chill, it's all innocent appreciation.
reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
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I don't make friends easily, primarily because I don't like most people. But I connected with you almost immediately because of your kindness and constant encouragement, when your knowledge in writing and grammar could have annihilated every sentence I wrote in red corrective notes. But you never did. You offered a few suggestions that could have been ten fold, so as no to discourage. You're a fantastic writer, an even a better steward to the craft, and my friend! Here's a great big bear hug and a peck on the forehead! And tell Chuck to chill, it's all innocent appreciation.
Comment Written 01-Dec-2022
reply by the author on 02-Dec-2022
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Ric, I am blown away by your lovely tribute. You made my year--and the rest of the decade. Be assured: you have stupendous talent. I am honored you think highly of my work. Back at you.
Comment from Mary Vigasin
I would not call it unwise to edit. She could get anyone just to retype her manuscript. What you were attempting anyway was to "polish it until it shines." She apparently believes her work is perfect and saw it as criticism rather than being constructive .
Mary
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2022
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I would not call it unwise to edit. She could get anyone just to retype her manuscript. What you were attempting anyway was to "polish it until it shines." She apparently believes her work is perfect and saw it as criticism rather than being constructive .
Mary
Comment Written 30-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2022
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Indeed! Nice to see you, Mary.
Comment from Jay Squires
Oh, I've missed your pithy irony, Liz. I've given up trying to pare down my sentences to elementals. Easier to pare down my discursive writing to its theme. I haven't found a way to do that, either. When I sit down to edit, I usually end up adding, not subtracting. It's oxymoronic for me to write a short story. It will either be a short novel, or a long story.
Thanks for not making your mission too possible.
Jay
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2022
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Oh, I've missed your pithy irony, Liz. I've given up trying to pare down my sentences to elementals. Easier to pare down my discursive writing to its theme. I haven't found a way to do that, either. When I sit down to edit, I usually end up adding, not subtracting. It's oxymoronic for me to write a short story. It will either be a short novel, or a long story.
Thanks for not making your mission too possible.
Jay
Comment Written 30-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2022
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I'm often tempted to add rather than subtract, especially when I see an opportunity for alliteration or wordplay.
Actually, the book was overall very well-received; it got 4.5 stars on Amazon. My gripe was with the confusing minuscule footnotes; when I checked the few negative reviews to see if others had the same complaint, I found the diatribe as quoted in my piece. As to the monster intro sentence some excoriated, I think he may have padded it intentionally to make it longer to slog through so that the reader would experience the drawn-out tedious chore of an editor.
Comment from damommy
She certainly didn't appreciate your efforts, did she? Her defense was offensive! Turning the tables is a dirty trick. Some people can't take criticism, even when it's constructive. Thanks for reposting this.
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2022
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She certainly didn't appreciate your efforts, did she? Her defense was offensive! Turning the tables is a dirty trick. Some people can't take criticism, even when it's constructive. Thanks for reposting this.
Comment Written 30-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2022
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She was hard to work with for sure!
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I see the problem here. There's a difference in editing narrative and speaking. We never speak with correct grammar, maybe the British do, but should write correctly. I'm sorry I missed reading this the first time around. I appreciate you reposting it.
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2022
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I see the problem here. There's a difference in editing narrative and speaking. We never speak with correct grammar, maybe the British do, but should write correctly. I'm sorry I missed reading this the first time around. I appreciate you reposting it.
Comment Written 30-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2022
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Thanks, Barbara. Point taken as to speaking vs narrative. I once wrote a parody piece on how we can get away with errors if we attribute them to our characters!
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
Fantastic. Send to all FS writers. Suggest obligatory reading before request to join accepted.
Now how do I find 54 more characters to pad review without committing one of the podium sins? (note to self: send memo to Tom suggesting minimum review length be cut by 50%) Kate xx (redundant as account name provided by FS for reviews)
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2022
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Fantastic. Send to all FS writers. Suggest obligatory reading before request to join accepted.
Now how do I find 54 more characters to pad review without committing one of the podium sins? (note to self: send memo to Tom suggesting minimum review length be cut by 50%) Kate xx (redundant as account name provided by FS for reviews)
Comment Written 30-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2022
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Good work with the padding!
Actually, the book was overall very well-received; it got 4.5 stars on Amazon. My gripe was with the confusing minuscule footnotes; when I checked the few negative reviews to see if others had the same complaint, I found the diatribe as quoted in my piece. As to the monster intro sentence some excoriated, I think he may have padded it intentionally to make it longer to slog through so that the reader would experience the drawn-out tedious chore of an editor.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Oh dear, she was not impressed with your editing, was she? I think she was expecting you to come back and say it was perfect! Lol, and you didn't. I have noted many errors in famous authors books, so either they don't get a professional editor and do it themselves, or the editors they use aren't very good! LOL. I really enjoyed this, and learned a few things in the reading. Well done, my friend, I'm glad you reposted this one. How are you? You are so missed on here. Love and hugs, Sandra xxx
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2022
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Oh dear, she was not impressed with your editing, was she? I think she was expecting you to come back and say it was perfect! Lol, and you didn't. I have noted many errors in famous authors books, so either they don't get a professional editor and do it themselves, or the editors they use aren't very good! LOL. I really enjoyed this, and learned a few things in the reading. Well done, my friend, I'm glad you reposted this one. How are you? You are so missed on here. Love and hugs, Sandra xxx
Comment Written 30-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2022
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She could be hard to deal with! She was 94 at the time, still alive as far as I know, going on 98.
Actually, the book was overall very well-received; it got 4.5 stars on Amazon. My gripe was with the confusing minuscule footnotes; when I checked the few negative reviews to see if others had the same complaint, I found the diatribe as quoted in my piece. As to the monster intro sentence some excoriated, I think he may have padded it intentionally to make it longer to slog through so that the reader would experience the drawn-out tedious chore of an editor.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Oh dear, she was not impressed with your editing, was she? I think she was expecting you to come back and say it was perfect! Lol, and you didn't. I have noted many errors in famous authors books, so either they don't get a professional editor and do it themselves, or the editors they use aren't very good! LOL. I really enjoyed this, and learned a few things in the reading. Well done, my friend, I'm glad you reposted this one. How are you? You are so missed on here. Love and hugs, Sandra xxx
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2022
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Oh dear, she was not impressed with your editing, was she? I think she was expecting you to come back and say it was perfect! Lol, and you didn't. I have noted many errors in famous authors books, so either they don't get a professional editor and do it themselves, or the editors they use aren't very good! LOL. I really enjoyed this, and learned a few things in the reading. Well done, my friend, I'm glad you reposted this one. How are you? You are so missed on here. Love and hugs, Sandra xxx
Comment Written 30-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2022
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Thanks for the ten stars!
