Ask Editor Alison Weiss #9 (right in here!)
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Re: Ask Editor Alison Weiss #9 (right in here!)
I am SO sorry I'm so late. My internet at work has been out for 2 days! But it's finally back! Which means I'm back to you guys to answer any questions you have about writing, publishing, books, getting into the biz or, frankly, anything you really want to ask me. Let the questioning begin!
Editor Alison- Level 5
- Posts : 165
Join date : 2011-03-01
Re: Ask Editor Alison Weiss #9 (right in here!)
I have a question! But it's more personal. Have you ever written a novel? (And if I already know the answer, forgive me! It's NaNoWriMo. I have an excuse to be forgetful, right??)
Re: Ask Editor Alison Weiss #9 (right in here!)
Nope. No novels for me. It's a dream. A maybe some day. But honestly, I have trouble switching to that side of my brain when I'm so deep in helping other people with their novels.
My feeling is that (for now) I write for me, and if that means that someday I get to the point where I want to really dedicated myself to trying to write a novel, then I will. And if not, I'm okay with that, too.
My feeling is that (for now) I write for me, and if that means that someday I get to the point where I want to really dedicated myself to trying to write a novel, then I will. And if not, I'm okay with that, too.
Editor Alison- Level 5
- Posts : 165
Join date : 2011-03-01
Re: Ask Editor Alison Weiss #9 (right in here!)
Hi Alison!
As someone else with NaNoWriMo on the brain, what are your thoughts on it? I know some people that work in publishing hate it because of all the people who do NaNoWriMo that submit their unedited drafts in December. A lot of people love the month or just the idea of NaNoWriMo. Where do you fall in that?
As someone else with NaNoWriMo on the brain, what are your thoughts on it? I know some people that work in publishing hate it because of all the people who do NaNoWriMo that submit their unedited drafts in December. A lot of people love the month or just the idea of NaNoWriMo. Where do you fall in that?
Re: Ask Editor Alison Weiss #9 (right in here!)
I think that anything that promotes getting the words out there is great. But I don't think that the product of NaNoWriMo should be immediately sent out to the industry-at-large. I think we need something like NaNoRevMo next -- a month or more to revise what you've written.
I don't think the mark of a good writer is the writing, but the revising. And that's where the attention should ultimately be going.
In the meantime, I have plenty of manuscripts to read while you're off cranking out your daily goals. So I think we'll be just fine.
I don't think the mark of a good writer is the writing, but the revising. And that's where the attention should ultimately be going.
In the meantime, I have plenty of manuscripts to read while you're off cranking out your daily goals. So I think we'll be just fine.
Editor Alison- Level 5
- Posts : 165
Join date : 2011-03-01
Re: Ask Editor Alison Weiss #9 (right in here!)
Since most teens are at school, I'll throw out another question.
What do you look for in manuscripts? Are there any specifics types of stories you prefer?
What do you look for in manuscripts? Are there any specifics types of stories you prefer?
Re: Ask Editor Alison Weiss #9 (right in here!)
Swear I didn't get an alert on this one, Julie.
I look for the whole package - strong writing, characters that are well-developed and compelling and believable, and a great hook.
It's that simple. (I know that that is not simple.)
I look for the whole package - strong writing, characters that are well-developed and compelling and believable, and a great hook.
It's that simple. (I know that that is not simple.)
Editor Alison- Level 5
- Posts : 165
Join date : 2011-03-01
Re: Ask Editor Alison Weiss #9 (right in here!)
Since I have your rapt attention, I'm going to abuse it!
Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 2 at 7:30PM EDT, I will be moderating a chat with Beth Kephart, author of the just realeased YOU ARE MY ONLY, and Kristina Mcbride, author of THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES. We'll be talking about kidnapping in YA literature.
I would LOVE for any (or all!) of you to join us. You just need to go to [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and click in to the chat.
Come with questions! And I bet they'll even be happy to answer your questions about writing, if you're so inclined.
Please come!
Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 2 at 7:30PM EDT, I will be moderating a chat with Beth Kephart, author of the just realeased YOU ARE MY ONLY, and Kristina Mcbride, author of THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES. We'll be talking about kidnapping in YA literature.
I would LOVE for any (or all!) of you to join us. You just need to go to [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and click in to the chat.
Come with questions! And I bet they'll even be happy to answer your questions about writing, if you're so inclined.
Please come!
Editor Alison- Level 5
- Posts : 165
Join date : 2011-03-01
Re: Ask Editor Alison Weiss #9 (right in here!)
Can you see the link there? There's a link. Where it says "You just need to go to" -- after that there's a link here: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Editor Alison- Level 5
- Posts : 165
Join date : 2011-03-01
Re: Ask Editor Alison Weiss #9 (right in here!)
I will definitely try to come! Might be inspirational for one of my NaNo projects.
I know I want to see more YA fiction about the Tudors and the French Revolution. Are there any genres or time periods you want to see more of in YA?
I know I want to see more YA fiction about the Tudors and the French Revolution. Are there any genres or time periods you want to see more of in YA?
Re: Ask Editor Alison Weiss #9 (right in here!)
Hmm - any time period? I do love Georgian, but there's so very much of it. And there's been so much 1920s lately.
I think I could do a good crisp 1950s book. Or. . . I don't know! Pick your time. Make it FAB! Know that historical's very hard right now. And then write your heart out.
I think I could do a good crisp 1950s book. Or. . . I don't know! Pick your time. Make it FAB! Know that historical's very hard right now. And then write your heart out.
Editor Alison- Level 5
- Posts : 165
Join date : 2011-03-01
Re: Ask Editor Alison Weiss #9 (right in here!)
@Alison Ahhh, gotcha! Well, if you ever *did* write a novel, who would you have edit it for you? Or would you just self-edit? (I know it's not as good on your own work...)
Re: Ask Editor Alison Weiss #9 (right in here!)
Definitely NOT self-edit. I don't know. I think setting your heart on one editor is maybe not the smartest mood. They may be a great editor, but not the right one for YOU. I would just hope that with a very smart and savvy agent I found the right match.
Editor Alison- Level 5
- Posts : 165
Join date : 2011-03-01
Re: Ask Editor Alison Weiss #9 (right in here!)
*nods* I hope so too! Guess I'd better only query smart, savvy agents when the time comes to. XD
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