Erich w/ an h
asked
David Wong:
Happy New Year! What's your editing process like for your novels, now that you're no longer self edited? If you and your editor disagree with something you're writing, how is that resolved?
David Wong
I worry that this is another answer that is less exciting than you might be expecting, but 95% of the edit notes are things I can't really argue with, purely structural stuff like, "You have them talking to Steve here, but Steve died on page 122" or "They're talking about this character like the reader already know who they are, we should have something that introduces them or reminds us."
In other words it's not like artistic differences, but continuity stuff that's pretty black-and-white ("Why does this get such an angry reaction from Dave? Isn't this good news?" "Why would Amy respond like she knows all about this, isn't she hearing about it for the first time?")
The other 5% are offered as opinions or suggestions ("It feels like there should be something here to add a little background on the characters, otherwise there's no breather in between the two action scenes") and if I disagree usually there's some compromise. We don't argue or anything, but I know other writers have had very different experiences with their editors!
In other words it's not like artistic differences, but continuity stuff that's pretty black-and-white ("Why does this get such an angry reaction from Dave? Isn't this good news?" "Why would Amy respond like she knows all about this, isn't she hearing about it for the first time?")
The other 5% are offered as opinions or suggestions ("It feels like there should be something here to add a little background on the characters, otherwise there's no breather in between the two action scenes") and if I disagree usually there's some compromise. We don't argue or anything, but I know other writers have had very different experiences with their editors!
More Answered Questions
Lavon Youins
asked
David Wong:
I've always been such a fan of your work; from your Cracked articles to your novels (I just preordered "What the Hell Did I Just Read"). Your writing style is so down-to-earth and topical of my generation. It's all so inspired. If I sent you my personal copy of "John Dies at the End" with a return package, would you sign it for me? It'd be an honor. If not, regardless, I'm writing to thank you so much for your work.
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