This will be short and sweet, just a nice little bon mot I want to share. This may not seem like much either, but trust me: the moment itself was huge.
Earlier this week, my Egmont USA editor, Greg Ferguson, and I were going over his comments on MONSTERS, the last book in the ASHES trilogy, and we’d been on the phone a good hour and a half before finally getting around to talking about the last scene and sequence. Greg asked a great question about how I wanted people to feel when all was said and done; I told him; and then he mentioned that, well, he thought that was true and the tone was nearly there, but he really suggested that we needed to look at this one sentence about three, four paragraphs from the very end. I was a little puzzled because it seemed like a perfectly fine line to me. But then he read the line out loud a couple times, and it was very strange . . . but hearing it come out of someone else’s mouth really was a lightbulb moment. I realized then that he was onto something; there was something not quite right about the sentence, although I was darned if I knew what it was.
So we played around with the sentence, pulling it apart, looking at all the words. I wish I could say that I figured it out first, but it was Greg who said, “Well, what if we get rid of the word but? Change it from a conditional to an affirmation, something positive.” So he did just that, read the sentence back–and damn, if that one little word wasn’t the make-or-break moment. Simply brilliant.
Why do I even dwell on this? Why is it worth tucking away as one of those fabulously collaborative moments that, all too often, we don’t let ourselves experience? Because: sometimes I think writers can get proprietary, losing sight of the huge contribution a very good editor can make toward shaping a manuscript. I know a ton of writers who get all torqued when editors come at them with revisions or comments. I’ve already admitted that, yes, the first edit letter I ever got from Greg made me collapse into a weeping puddle of goo because it was so detailed, I thought the guy truly hated what I’d written. It took my husband to observe that, you know, the guy loved the series or he wouldn’t have bought it; and another pro writer friend to point out that an editor who invested this much into producing such detailed notes and questions was a) rare and b) someone from whom I could learn a great deal.
If there’s one thing I’ve repeated over and over again and in many different venues, it’s this: not every word deserves to live. A writer has to be ruthless when it comes to editing out extraneous stuff, and I’m pretty good when it come to throttling up my weed-whacker. Normally, I’ll kill about 15-20% of a final manuscript. I’d like to think that I catch every errant word, but of course, I don’t. No one does. But I guess I’m fixated on that single moment as a terrific example of what working with a gifted editor can be: not dictatorial but collaborative. An editor like Greg is not only going through a manuscript with a flea comb; he’s not only interested in pacing. He’s interested in how a book will make people feel. He’s invested in clarity. We agonized over one bloody line because we both wanted the message to come across in a very particular way. This wasn’t about killing a word; it was about reinforcing an emotion.
Now, am I saying that we let editors rewrite our work? No. Do we always agree? Of course not. Yes, we spin the stories. Yes, sometimes it can feel as if the comments are nits and silly; I can always tell when Greg’s getting punchy from the tone of a question, and we’re comfortable enough with one another now that I can kid him about it, too.
So, yeah, stick to your guns; defend your work because, when push comes to shove, no one cares as much about your book as you. But always remember, guys: The best editors are, first and foremost, tremendous readers, people who want to be swept away into that perfect moment when story comes together and language does not fail.
I have just finished reading Shadows…. when is Monsters going to be available?
Fall, 2013.
I know. A wait. 😉
Ilsa,
You know you are killing me right?!?!
I can only take solace in the fact that we will have Sin-Eater’s Confession before then! And no, it will not a “hold us over” kinda book. Your stand alone novels are just as mesmerizing as your series!!
LOL!! And I take great pleasure in killing you 😉
Glad you liked SIN-EATER.
You did it to us again! We finally get to see what happens to Alex and then you leave us with another cliff hanger! I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Shadows and read it. It was another taut, suspenseful, wild ride that was over too soon. Admit it, you are secretly a dungeon torturer who gleefully rubs her hands at the thought of tormenting us. I can imagine your diabolical laugh as your readers clamor to know what happens next. To make us wait another year for Monsters is downright criminal. Have you ever heard of the Geneva Convention? I think your readers should band together and hold a riot. We DEMAND Monsters now! (or at least a little spoiler!) Please show mercy!
BWAWAHAHAHA….
MONSTERS Spoiler: Things get worse: much, much worse.
😉
I admit I happened across Ashes by accident (a referral from someone who knew I enjoyed “similar” book). I hadn’t read any of your other books at that point. Ashes made me a fan. I’ve since bought/read Draw the Dark, Drowning Instinct and, of course Shadows. I went online to see if I could find a release date for Sin-Eater’s Confession. No such luck. Any hints on when it will be out?
Oh, while looking, I did see a release listed for Monsters on audio for March. Could that possibly that right? I prefer a paper book in my hand but I just might be tempted if it saves me 6 months of waiting!
Wow, what a compliment! I’m so glad you’ve discovered those other books 🙂 SIN-EATER is due out in March, 2013; MONSTERS will hit Fall, 2013. A couple people have mentioned March to me as well, but that’s wrong. Could it be a different MONSTERS by a different author? O.o
So, unfortunately, you will have six additional months of suspense beyond that. You’ll tough it out 😉
Thanks for responding!
I know it wasn’t just wishful thinking on my part (well, maybe just a little bit) so I went back to where I thought I saw I saw the Monster’s Audiobook. Sure enough, it’s still there, but now saying February! LOL I guess it’s just a misprint. (sigh). Here’s the link. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_13?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=ashes+trilogy+book+3&sprefix=Ashes+Trilogy%2Cstripbooks%2C0#/ref=sr_pg_2?rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Aashes+trilogy+book+3&page=2&keywords=ashes+trilogy+book+3&ie=UTF8&qid=1351086140
Oh, and lest I forget: I loved all the books! They are each unique in their own way. I hope you find yourself able to write a follow up to Draw the Dark one day, but Drowning Instinct… Wow! Words cannot express.
Can’t wait to see what you have in store for the next two!
I am PLEASED to know that there is much more to come from the mind of Ilsa J. Bick! :] I love your twisted ways and like I said on FB – when I am reading your works [even Draw the Dark] I find myself thinking, “O she couldn’t POSSIBLY go there…” and then you do! And I love it! How many other writers have the guts to really go there without fear that people won’t “approve”? That is what makes it so wonderful. It is different than the other YA novels that would fall into the same category – this is more Stephen King-esque and mature. The unexpected is wonderful. Plus, the italics are perfect – that is the way my brain works. :]
Clearly, this is a case of great minds thinking alike 😉
Oooh, thanks for letting me know about that. I’ve shot off a query to Audible. I’m sure it’s just a glitch.
And thank you for your kind words. I’m really pleased my work’s touched you 🙂