Stick a fork in it already!

So, I have a confession to make. I’m neurotic—sort of. I’m a perfectionist. I hate to make mistakes. Because of that, and the fact that the voices in my head never seem to shut up, I’m a compulsive reviser/editor of my manuscripts. I can pick at a manuscript forever and never be totally happy with it.

Even in Personal Demons and Original Sin, which are a done deal, there are some things I wish I could go back and change. I'll think of some witty line that would have fit perfectly and I'll kick myself. What I find is that the characters develop and flesh out this way for me, sort of one line at a time.


Because of that, I'm the kind of person who drives my lovely critique partner and truly fabulous agent nuts. I'll send them something, then like two days later, I'll send them a frantic, "Wait! I changed something!" email with a revised manuscript. If it takes my agent a week to get to something, she'll probably get at least four of those emails. She never complains (out loud) but I'm sure I'm her most annoying client.


Even when I was querying agents, I did this a few times, even though they warn you not to. The few I did it to were very gracious, and one even represents me now, so I guess it wasn't too big of a black mark =)


So, how do you decide something is good enough? When do you stick a fork in it and call it done?

How you find out all the ways you screwed your book up (reprise)

I’m back! Thanks to Frannie, Luc and Gabe for the guest posts over the last three days. I’ve got lots going on. My crit partner and agent are waiting on the novel formerly known as Hellbent, which I was hard at work revising.

Yes, that’s Gabe’s first POV =)

My agent is also waiting for wrinkly contracts:

And my editor is waiting on first pass pages for Original Sin, which I am busy marking up.

That’s why they make red pens, yes?

And, a whole bunch of you are waiting on signed galleys and books I was supposed to send weeks ago:

Sorry! They’re coming! I promise.

So, since I’m out of characters for guest posts, I’m going to rerun a post that’s pertinent to my current situation. I first ran it in July and many of you said it was helpful. For those of you who have always wondered about the revising and editing process a book goes through before it hits the shelves, here it is. Without further ado, here's my July post on all the ways you find out you screwed up your book:


I've been neck deep in Original Sin revisions for the past few weeks. And being neck deep in...well, you know, got me thinking about how much I've learned about the publishing process in the last seven months since my book deal. I belong to a really cool group of debut authors, The Elevensies, and we ask each other all kinds of stuff, because, for most of us, it's all a big mystery until it falls in our lap. And by it, I mean whatever the next step in the process is.

So, here's my rundown from book deal to shelves in a nutshell. Understand that there are variations between publishers and differences in nomenclature, but these are the basic steps in getting the actual manuscript ready to put out into the world.

Step one: Write a Book

You've gotta write something that someone wants to publish. Without that...well...

Step two: Revisions

Your editor reads your manuscript (usually more than once) and provides you with an editorial letter. I've heard other authors say they were shocked when they got their letter. One of the funniest stories I've heard is Margie Stohl's. She likes to tell the story of when they got their editorial letter for Beautiful Creatures and Kami was sure it was a mistake because their editor had told them how much she loved it. No matter how much your editor loves your manuscript, they WILL ask for some changes. Sometimes the changes are big and relate to pacing or plot. You may need to pull your manuscript apart and put it back together (aka: revising with a chainsaw). Other times it's smaller points such as character development or consistency. DO NOT BE SHOCKED when you get your letter. Average editorial letters, from what I've been able to glean, are usually between 5 and 10 pages, single-spaced. (My OS letter is 6) And that's when your editor LOVES your manuscript.

Step three: Line edits
Once you've turned your revised manuscript in to your editor, she/he will go through a line edit. Here, they'll ask you to clean up any lingering issues, fix smaller things like grammar and punctuation, and, if you're me, make you take out all your em dashes. Hi Melissa. =) *waves* Some editors do this hardcopy, others, electonically in Word using track changes. That all depends on their preference.

Step four: Copy edits
Once that's done, your manuscript "goes to production." That means it goes out to a copyeditor, who does a...well...copyedit. Copyedit is basically a more thorough line edit. This is when your manuscript becomes a study in red. Red ink EVERYWHERE. The copyeditor will pick out all the typos, make you fix your grammar, and also look for consistency throughout the manuscript. So if you spelled Marc Marc in chapter 1 and Mark in chapter 3, they're supposed to catch that, as well as any dangling subplots that need cleaning up after revisions. They will also mark spacing and punctuation for the typesetter. This is generally the last chance to make any major changes to the manuscript.

Step five: First pass pages
This is totally fun, but a little scary. It's when you get to see the typeset pages just as they will appear in your published book. It is also pretty final. You can fix typos or the occasional grammatical issue, but you can't add or cut a scene, or change the text significantly. So hopefully, between you, your editor and your copyeditor, you didn't drop the ball and majorly screw something up.

Step six: ARCs
You usually get these six-ish months pre-publication (for YA). This is basically your book. It usually has your cover art and everything. Usually there is still time to fix typos before the print run for your finished copies.

OCD: a good thing or a bad thing?

So, I have a confession to make. I’m neurotic—sort of. I’m a perfectionist. I hate to make mistakes. But, I've discovered that a person can drive themselves insane revising and editing a manuscript, and still, it won't be perfect. There is a typo in Personal Demons that will haunt me till my dying day.

I'm waiting right now for first pass pages of Original Sin, which is an authors last opportunity to make changes to the manuscript. It's already been through line edits and copyedits, so you think there wouldn't be much left to find, but I already have a list, and I'm sure it will grow substantially as I start working through the pages. There are a few glaring errors that I noticed after copyedits and, because I can't stand to make mistakes, I hate that those are going to be in the ARC for everyone to see. I'm sure you'll all find them. Don't judge me too harshly.

So, for all you readers out there, my question to you is: How much do typos/mistakes in a manuscript bother you as you read? And to all you writers:  How obsessively do you edit your manuscript?

How you find out all the ways you screwed your book up.

Thanks to all of you who stopped by Friday to tell me I'm not crazy. I appreciate it. (Even though I sorta am.)

I've been neck deep in Original Sin revisions for the past few weeks. And being neck deep in...well, you know, got me thinking about how much I've learned about the publishing process in the last seven months since my book deal. I belong to a really cool group of debut authors, The Elevensies, and we ask each other all kinds of stuff, because, for most of us, it's all a big mystery until it falls in our lap. And by it, I mean whatever the next step in the process is.

So, here's my rundown from book deal to shelves in a nutshell. Understand that there are variations between publishers and differences in nomenclature, but these are the basic steps in getting the actual manuscript ready to put out into the world.

Step one: Write a Book

You've gotta write something that someone wants to publish. Without that...well...

Step two: Revisions

Your editor reads your manuscript (usually more than once) and provides you with an editorial letter. I've heard other authors say they were shocked when they got their letter. One of the funniest stories I've heard is Margie Stohl's. She likes to tell the story of when they got their editorial letter for Beautiful Creatures and Kami was sure it was a mistake because their editor had told them how much she loved it. No matter how much your editor loves your manuscript, they WILL ask for some changes. Sometimes the changes are big and relate to pacing or plot. You may need to pull your manuscript apart and put it back together (aka: revising with a chainsaw). Other times it's smaller points such as character development or consistency. DO NOT BE SHOCKED when you get your letter. Average editorial letters, from what I've been able to glean, are usually between 5 and 10 pages, single-spaced. (My OS letter is 6) And that's when your editor LOVES your manuscript.

Step three: Line edits
Once you've turned your revised manuscript in to your editor, she/he will go through a line edit. Here, they'll ask you to clean up any lingering issues, fix smaller things like grammar and punctuation, and, if you're me, make you take out all your em dashes. Hi Melissa. =) *waves* Some editors do this hardcopy, others, electonically in Word using track changes. That all depends on their preference.

Step four: Copy edits
Once that's done, your manuscript "goes to production." That means it goes out to a copyeditor, who does a...well...copyedit. Copyedit is basically a more thorough line edit. This is when your manuscript becomes a study in red. Red ink EVERYWHERE. The copyeditor will pick out all the typos, make you fix your grammar, and also look for consistency throughout the manuscript. So if you spelled Marc Marc in chapter 1 and Mark in chapter 3, they're supposed to catch that, as well as any dangling subplots that need cleaning up after revisions. They will also mark spacing and punctuation for the typesetter. This is generally the last chance to make any major changes to the manuscript.

Step five: First pass pages
This is totally fun, but a little scary. It's when you get to see the typeset pages just as they will appear in your published book. It is also pretty final. You can fix typos or the occasional grammatical issue, but you can't add or cut a scene, or change the text significantly. So hopefully, between you, your editor and your copyeditor, you didn't drop the ball and majorly screw something up.

Step six: ARCs
You usually get these six-ish months pre-publication (for YA). This is basically your book. It usually has your cover art and everything. Usually there is still time to fix typos before the print run for your finished copies.

So, that's it in a very simplistic nutshell. Back to Original Sin revisions! Check back tomorrow for my Tuesday Personal Demons preview! =)

Whew! And more chances to win Personal Demons...

Last week nearly ate me alive. But don't throw me on that cart, cuz "I'm not dead yet!" (Sticking with my Monty Python theme from last week.)

I got my ARCs. (I did all kinds of ARC art. :p) I'm mailing them today and tomorrow, for those of you waiting! =)

And I got my cover.

And my editorial letter from my seriously cool editor on Original Sin. (but you really don't want to see that)

I also had my amazing crit partner, Andrea's, Nightshade #3 (Bloodrose) to critique. I finished it Saturday and, it's fabulous!

I got my marching orders from my designer for content on my new website (coming soon at http://www.lisadwrites.com/).

And I ran some awesome contests. Thanks to the hordes of you who entered my Twitter contest. If you missed it, the task was to look at the cover and tell me, in 140 characters or less, who Frannie should be with and why. Here are some of my favorite entries.

@thmafi: Frannie should pick @DanKrokos because otherwise he'll go after Gabe & Luc before she does. #PersonalDemons (Dan has already laid claim to Luc, actually :p)

@AminaBlack: don't be cruel she doesn't have to choose. She could have both and I know that I'm not the only one thinking it. #PersonalDemons

@angelgirl122193: Frannie should choose neither of them, become a nun, and let me have a love triangle of my own w/ luc and gabe =) #PersonalDemons

@ettrenas: LUC! Because any guy that makes you think twice about choosing hell over heaven is a total winner ;) #PersonalDemons

And my very favoritest entry:
@MireyahWolfe: Frannie should be with Luc, because...let's face it. With those eyes, she'll never lose him when the lights go out. #PersonalDemons

Dudes! I was ROFL!

But, the winner, as chosen by the randomizer was @sophisti_katied! *throws virtual confetti*

It was really fun! I hope to do another Twitter contest closer to release =)

If you didn't win, but you still want an ARC, visit my July Debut Contest and enter! You can also enter to win a finished copy of Personal Demons or five other amazing fall releases in A Good Addiction's Fall Release Six Title Contest. So go enter!! Yay!

So, even though I feel like I've been ravaged by a killer rabbit (you really have to see The Holy Grail) I have my holy hand grenade ready and I'll be back for more tomorrow with my Personal Demons Sneak Peek #5! :D

Now, back to our regularly scheduled broadcast...

Revisions: check. Line edits: check. Food: Um...I knew I was forgetting something. But who needs to eat, right? Or sleep, for that matter. Course there’s the day job, which I’ve pretty much remembered to go to…most of the time.

That’s my life. Busy but good. The really great news is that line edits are done and will be emailed to my seriously cool editor tomorrow. Then Personal Demons is off to production. Yay! There may actually be a book on the shelves at the end of all of this. Whew…

In other fun news, Personal Demons had a birthday. I realized a few days ago that last Tuesday, (2/2) while I was on an airplane on my way to meet my totally fabulous agent and seriously cool editor, Personal Demons turned one. 2/2/09 was the day I met Luc and Frannie and wrote the first chapter. =) So Happy birthday!!

Other stuff:
Don’t forget that my January debut contest closes at noon on 2/15 (that’s Monday, BTW) and my February debut contest runs through noon on 2/26, so if you haven’t entered for a chance to win an awesome 2010 YA or MG debut, do it now!

You’re still reading? I said NOW! Go enter!! You did already? Okay…good.

Also, a while back (Seriously, it was a month ago. I'm pathetic.) I was tagged by my awesome crit partner Andrea Cremer. Now that I’ve come up for air, I’m ready to tackle a few question.

1) What's the last thing you wrote? What's the first thing you wrote that you still have?
Last thing I wrote was Original Sin, the sequel to Personal Demons.

The first thing I ever wrote, which I still have, is a YA thriller I wrote for my daughter’s birthday. I wrote that last fall. (2009)

2) Write poetry? Never.

3) Angsty poetry? Um…no.

4) Favorite genre of writing?
YA, definitely. Urban fantasy and contemporary.

5) Most annoying character you've ever created?
There are a few. If I had to pick one, I’d say Frannie’s best friend Taylor from my Personal Demons series.

6) Best plot you've ever created?
Honestly, the plot for the book I wrote for my daughter is pretty kick-ass. I put a lot of research into it and it took me to some pretty amazing places.

Course, the plot for Personal Demons is pretty kick-ass too…

7) Coolest plot twist you've ever created?
Spoiler, sorry. (Hint: It’s in Personal Demons)

8) How often do you get writer's block?
Never.

9) Write fan fiction?
Never.

10) Do you type or write by hand?
Write by hand? How do you do that?

11) Do you save everything you write?
Absolutely.

12) Do you ever go back to an idea after you've abandoned it?
I haven’t really abandoned anything yet. I have some WIPs hovering in the wings, and they may be feeling a bit abandoned at the moment… Maybe I should check if they’re hungry or need a diaper.

13) What's your favorite thing you've ever written?
I’ve written three books (four if you count the Personal Demons sequel) and I love them all. It's like asking me who is my favorite child. They're all so different, but if you’re going to make me play favorites, I’d have to say Personal Demons.

14) What's everyone else's favorite story you've written?
No one but my daughter and my agent has read anything but Personal Demons. My daughter still says she like the one I wrote for her best.

15) Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?
Um…yeah.

16) What's your favorite setting for your characters?
Anywhere their parents aren’t. They can let loose. All my books have parents—none of this absentee stuff. But I like for my teen characters to be able to interact without adults coming down on them.

17) How many writing projects are you working on right now?
I’m pretty immersed in Original Sin and book 3 at the moment.

18) Have you ever won an award for your writing?
Personal Demons won or placed in six writing completions this summer.

19) What are your five favorite words?
If you asked my editor, she’d say, and, so, something, ugh and m dash. (I know that last one isn't a word, but I still like them too much.)

20) What character have you created that is most like yourself?
Anna, from my first book.

21) Where do you get your ideas for your characters?
Where don’t I get my ideas for characters would be an easier question to answer.

22) Do you ever write based on your dreams?
I don’t think so. My characters have conversations in my head all night long, but I’m usually wide awake and staring at the ceiling, so that doesn’t count.

23) Do you favor happy endings?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Make of that what you will...

24) Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?
All I have to say about that is, thank god for spellcheck and editors who know what they’re doing.

25) Does music help you write?
Couldn’t write without it.

26) Quote something you've written. Whatever pops in your head.
Taylor to Frannie in Personal Demons: “Who made you dominatrix of the lunch table?”

And, tag, Kristin Miller. You're it!

Stop the insanity!

So, I have a confession to make. I’m neurotic—sort of. I’m a perfectionist. I hate to make mistakes. Because of that, and the fact that the voices in my head never seem to shut up, I’m a compulsive reviser/editor of my manuscripts. I can pick at a manuscript forever and never be totally happy with it.

I’ve been working on book two of the series for which book one is currently on submission to editors. (Did that make any sense?) Anyway, I’ve made some minor changes to book one as issues came up in book two. Mostly setting up characters or situations for a smooth dovetail between the two books. Other than that, I’ve tried to pretend the first manuscript doesn’t exist so I’ll stay the heck out of it.

So, my question to you: When do you stick a fork in your manuscript? When do you stop editing and call it done? I’ve read agent blogs that say: “when it’s perfect” but in my world, perfect doesn’t exist. I can edit out all the typos, grammatical errors, etc, but that doesn’t stop my characters from coming up with some new, really witty line that I have to add, or some really cool new scene from popping into my head in the middle of the night. When do you stop?

Please make me stop!!!