tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post2381232655415923256..comments2024-03-28T18:40:05.789-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: THE LAST EDITJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-55507771937294394302013-09-26T21:47:24.498-04:002013-09-26T21:47:24.498-04:00KM, that has to be frustrating for you. It would b...KM, that has to be frustrating for you. It would be so much extra work.<br /><br />We don't have a lot of Civil War reenactments around here although there usually are some, but not with canon fire. However, I do plan to have some of that at Elmwood Gardens. :-) I'm sure if I lived as close to Gettysburg as you do, I would get tired of it, too.<br /><br />Do you think of a body lying just out of camera range because I had my son pose as a dead body for the cover of the first book? Or is it because Portage Falls is a peaceful small town with bodies showing up here and there?Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-75834421714634522592013-09-26T20:36:57.697-04:002013-09-26T20:36:57.697-04:00I loved your first two Catherine Jewel books, and ...I loved your first two Catherine Jewel books, and I'm looking forward to the third! I'm in the midst of my 5th Jesse Damon Crime Novel, and much to my dismay, I discovered a major disconnect in a subplot that of course impacted the entire thing. I am now busy unraveling it and (hopefully) weaving it back together.<br /><br />I'm not sure about the Civil War reenactment part--the last few years (and next year) there have been major reenactments within a few miles of my house, and while I can see the appeal, to me it means rerouting my trips to everywhere, having the dogs nervous because they think the cannons are nonstop thunder, and remembering not to plan having anyone over for that week or so.<br /><br />I love your pictures! I get such a peaceful feeling from them, but somehow I always think a body is lying just out of camera range.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-33919714818451538092013-09-26T18:15:11.039-04:002013-09-26T18:15:11.039-04:00I'm sure the cover will be beautiful, too, Kar...I'm sure the cover will be beautiful, too, Kara. I also can't wait to see it.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-2549306239341076952013-09-26T15:53:57.817-04:002013-09-26T15:53:57.817-04:00I look forward to reading the next Catherine Jewel...I look forward to reading the next Catherine Jewell mystery and seeing the cover made by your granddaughter. I'm sure both will be beautiful. Best of luck with your final edits, Gloria! <br /><br />Kara Cerisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16484336785514235707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-88244853480414448442013-09-26T13:19:48.678-04:002013-09-26T13:19:48.678-04:00Pat,I do watch Masterpiece Mystery, usually. :-) I...Pat,I do watch Masterpiece Mystery, usually. :-) I keep hard copies of each chapter in a binder with a paper at the beginning listing each chapter, the characters in it, and a brief synopsis of what that chapter was about. I can look at it and notice that certain characters need to come back in or some clue needs to be dropped, etc. This is the closest I come to outlining. Sort of an after the fact outline.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-22735229076794076802013-09-26T13:16:15.501-04:002013-09-26T13:16:15.501-04:00Absolutely, Shari. I look forward to seeing you ag...Absolutely, Shari. I look forward to seeing you again next spring at Malice. I'm eager to see what Kristen comes up with, too.<br /><br />I so agree with you, Warren. I will go back over poems I've written that were published, and will change things that I think will make it better. It's probably why I don't want to read my books once they're out.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-71652866282727563812013-09-26T13:12:44.691-04:002013-09-26T13:12:44.691-04:00Thank you, Carla. I appreciate that compliment fro...Thank you, Carla. I appreciate that compliment from such an excellent writer as you are. I know all too well we can't be perfect. In fact, I just came across a typo in a book by a well published and very popular writer yesterday.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-73056134311925669912013-09-26T12:45:18.523-04:002013-09-26T12:45:18.523-04:00And I wonder why you don't watch too much TV. ...And I wonder why you don't watch too much TV. Sheesh!<br />Finishing that first draft is hard for me. I follow the writing route of first chapters and then the ending to see if the novel is feasible. Then I have that murderous middle to do. This time, I keep adding and subtracting, so just finishing it with a The End is hard. Editing and rewrite seems less stressful.<br />I keep saying I'll write a series, but so far NOT. I have a need to do three of four crossover mysteries first.<br />PatgPatghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01046665022709722606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-14969899268120195432013-09-26T10:53:06.791-04:002013-09-26T10:53:06.791-04:00It's hard to choose just one stressful time bu...It's hard to choose just one stressful time but I suppose, like you, it is the final edit. A writer never finishes a book; he or she just stops writing it. Warren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-56003894528058772262013-09-26T10:13:40.434-04:002013-09-26T10:13:40.434-04:00Gloria, I am glad you are on track with this lates...Gloria, I am glad you are on track with this latest Garden Club book - I hope I can get a copy - plus your autograph - at Malice in the spring!<br />Looking forward to seeing the cover created by your talented granddaughter.<br />Shari Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425493627354028820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-51869215689068416402013-09-26T10:01:27.063-04:002013-09-26T10:01:27.063-04:00Ann, I love revising, too, but it's that last ...Ann, I love revising, too, but it's that last edit when I worry about finding every little glitch and making sure the ending works. I am so grateful to you, Ann, and Mary, my other critique partner for all the help and encouragement you both give me.<br /><br />I know you will get through these last changes your agent wants and hopefully be happy with themGloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-91737011515490272272013-09-26T09:58:56.332-04:002013-09-26T09:58:56.332-04:00Gloria, accepting that we can't actually be pe...Gloria, accepting that we can't actually be perfect is a challenge. Your writing comes pretty darn close!carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15985823239660829148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-44603134499290912902013-09-26T07:28:28.589-04:002013-09-26T07:28:28.589-04:00The first draft is the hardest for me too. I activ...<br />The first draft is the hardest for me too. I actively enjoy revising - even making huge structural changes. Or maybe I just hate the stage I am in... <br /><br />I love the Garden Club novel, Gloria. You have created such interesting characters, and I want to know more about so many of them. That's what is so enjoyable about a series - revisiting characters I love already, and meeting new ones. <br /><br />Now I'm really looking forward to reading the next one. The Civil War re-enactment idea is wonderful. Ann Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09729843278653034798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-1169677305635639812013-09-26T06:53:19.405-04:002013-09-26T06:53:19.405-04:00Actually, I tend to procrastinate on actually star...Actually, I tend to procrastinate on actually starting the first draft, too. E.B. and James. I've been plotting and planning my next one for almost a year, even before finishing this current one. I know what I want to write about, I've been saving articles on the Civil War to read because the next book will have a Civil War re-enactment going on in Elmwood Gardens. I know the reason for the murder, but I still need to write my characters and start that first page. But once I actually start the book, I find it an exciting adventure.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-43176983589481292972013-09-26T06:29:47.651-04:002013-09-26T06:29:47.651-04:00Gloria,
I share your desire for a “perfect” manus...Gloria,<br /><br />I share your desire for a “perfect” manuscript. The most stressful for me is still the first draft, rather than the last polish. With Cabin Fever I’ll have the luxury of ARCs so if any error occurs there is still one last chance to catch it!<br /><br />Best of luck with the final spit and polish. I’m sure you will love the cover your granddaughter produces.<br /><br />~ Jim<br />Jim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-45724172706153930932013-09-26T04:51:49.709-04:002013-09-26T04:51:49.709-04:00For me, the stressful time is during the first dra...For me, the stressful time is during the first draft. That blank white page lends itself to so many possibilities, I feel overwhelmed in which direction to take the story. It may take me days of thinking before I can put a word on the page. If they aren't the right words, and I go onto the next chapter, going back to revise pains me. I know that I'll never get it "right" on the first try, but that neat package with all the ends tied and sealed and ribbons whirling in colorful curls, that's my objective. Ending up with a messy mish-mash frustrates me. I'm glad you are at the end of the process. Good luck with the next book. I enjoyed your first two!E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.com