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lkh_lashoutsYeah, I'm resurrecting the "retort challenge", because I feel the need to defend editors.
This one doesn't have a specific phrasing, per se, but I have to flog it because it hits close to home. No matter the wording, the gist of the fangirlism is this: "It's the editor's fault that the book's a mess." So what if LKH can't spell? It doesn't matter. It's imagination that counts. There's editors for all that other stuff. You know the type of idiocy of which I rant.
Editors are not there for "all that other stuff". They aren't living, breathing spellcheckers or walking dictionaries. They are people. I know this. I was one. I'm in recovery, and that's not entirely a joke: editing—REAL editing, not just "sure, I'll beta this for you!" editing (which has its own challenges, but that's another topic)—is a mentally exhausting job, and one that doesn't get the respect it deserves. But I digress.
Editors are . . . sculptors of words. Yes, they do check spelling and grammar and punctuation, but also continuity, plot, pacing, facts, etc. The scope depends on the company and the project, of course, but trust me, editors can be miracle workers. I've seen manuscripts that were basically shit on paper be transformed into feasible literature because of the expert hand of a talented editor. In all honesty, the editor on that job basically rewrote the book. Did she get her name on the cover? Fame and royalties? Of course not. Editors don't get glory and press coverage; they get personal satisfaction, a paycheque, and usually some sort of neurosis.
So yes, it pisses me off when people blame LKH's editors. Why?
a) In general, an author has to "sign off" on their manuscript, in effect saying "Yes, publish this AS IT IS RIGHT NOW." So even if, by some odd chance, her editors missed all her myriad mistakes, LKH should have had a chance to review the manuscript, say "Hey! That should be lose, not loose!" and fix it. If she doesn't—she's "too busy" or "doesn't have time" or is "in the throes of the Muse!"—that's her problem. Or, as my beleaguered ex-boss used to say as her mantra, "It's the author's right to be wrong."
b) Now this is a personal gripe, and I know a lot of people disagree with me on this, but as far as I'm concerned, if you want to be a writer, LEARN THE WORDS.... erm, that is LEARN THE SKILLS AND TOOLS. Would you go into carpentry if you didn't know which part of the saw cut the wood? Would you try to enter a figure skating competition wearing cleats? Maybe for laughs, but not seriously. If you suck at spelling, that's fine. But MAKE A DAMN EFFORT. If it were her first novel, I could forgive some errors. But she has more than 15 novels published—and is still consistently spelling the same words incorrectly. Hell, put 'em in your spellchecker if you have to. But honestly, if you decide to dedicate yourself to the craft of writing with any sort of seriousness, learn the skills. Invest in a grammar book, a good dictionary, whatever it takes. If certain words haunt you, drill them into your brain. Your readers—and your editors—will thank you immensely. And honestly, your writing will improve.
c) Spelling does matter. It's not enough to have ideas. Ideas do not make someone a writer. Talent, dedication, creativity, and yes, IDEAS make someone a writer. If all you needed were ideas, I'd have 20 novels out by now. It seems to be epidemic, this notion that "anyone" can be a writer. I don't know why. I certainly don't think I can be a painter, or a musician, or a ballet dancer. Yet people assume because they have a pen (or, more likely, a word processor) that they can "write a novel". Come on. Admit it. I bet most of you could name 5 people off the top of your head who are "working on their novel". Right? Some legitimately are. Most aren't.
*breathes* Yeah. Moral of the rant: don't dis the editors. If we think the books suck now, imagine how dreadful they'd be WITHOUT the editors. Scary, huh?
And honour the spirit of Vetinari*. LEARN THE SKILLS!
* = Character in Terry Pratchett's kicks-everything's-ass Discworld series.
This one doesn't have a specific phrasing, per se, but I have to flog it because it hits close to home. No matter the wording, the gist of the fangirlism is this: "It's the editor's fault that the book's a mess." So what if LKH can't spell? It doesn't matter. It's imagination that counts. There's editors for all that other stuff. You know the type of idiocy of which I rant.
Editors are not there for "all that other stuff". They aren't living, breathing spellcheckers or walking dictionaries. They are people. I know this. I was one. I'm in recovery, and that's not entirely a joke: editing—REAL editing, not just "sure, I'll beta this for you!" editing (which has its own challenges, but that's another topic)—is a mentally exhausting job, and one that doesn't get the respect it deserves. But I digress.
Editors are . . . sculptors of words. Yes, they do check spelling and grammar and punctuation, but also continuity, plot, pacing, facts, etc. The scope depends on the company and the project, of course, but trust me, editors can be miracle workers. I've seen manuscripts that were basically shit on paper be transformed into feasible literature because of the expert hand of a talented editor. In all honesty, the editor on that job basically rewrote the book. Did she get her name on the cover? Fame and royalties? Of course not. Editors don't get glory and press coverage; they get personal satisfaction, a paycheque, and usually some sort of neurosis.
So yes, it pisses me off when people blame LKH's editors. Why?
a) In general, an author has to "sign off" on their manuscript, in effect saying "Yes, publish this AS IT IS RIGHT NOW." So even if, by some odd chance, her editors missed all her myriad mistakes, LKH should have had a chance to review the manuscript, say "Hey! That should be lose, not loose!" and fix it. If she doesn't—she's "too busy" or "doesn't have time" or is "in the throes of the Muse!"—that's her problem. Or, as my beleaguered ex-boss used to say as her mantra, "It's the author's right to be wrong."
b) Now this is a personal gripe, and I know a lot of people disagree with me on this, but as far as I'm concerned, if you want to be a writer, LEARN THE WORDS.... erm, that is LEARN THE SKILLS AND TOOLS. Would you go into carpentry if you didn't know which part of the saw cut the wood? Would you try to enter a figure skating competition wearing cleats? Maybe for laughs, but not seriously. If you suck at spelling, that's fine. But MAKE A DAMN EFFORT. If it were her first novel, I could forgive some errors. But she has more than 15 novels published—and is still consistently spelling the same words incorrectly. Hell, put 'em in your spellchecker if you have to. But honestly, if you decide to dedicate yourself to the craft of writing with any sort of seriousness, learn the skills. Invest in a grammar book, a good dictionary, whatever it takes. If certain words haunt you, drill them into your brain. Your readers—and your editors—will thank you immensely. And honestly, your writing will improve.
c) Spelling does matter. It's not enough to have ideas. Ideas do not make someone a writer. Talent, dedication, creativity, and yes, IDEAS make someone a writer. If all you needed were ideas, I'd have 20 novels out by now. It seems to be epidemic, this notion that "anyone" can be a writer. I don't know why. I certainly don't think I can be a painter, or a musician, or a ballet dancer. Yet people assume because they have a pen (or, more likely, a word processor) that they can "write a novel". Come on. Admit it. I bet most of you could name 5 people off the top of your head who are "working on their novel". Right? Some legitimately are. Most aren't.
*breathes* Yeah. Moral of the rant: don't dis the editors. If we think the books suck now, imagine how dreadful they'd be WITHOUT the editors. Scary, huh?
And honour the spirit of Vetinari*. LEARN THE SKILLS!
* = Character in Terry Pratchett's kicks-everything's-ass Discworld series.
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no subject
Date: 2006-02-14 07:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-14 03:50 pm (UTC)I can just see one of LKH's editors just going, "OH GOOD LORD," stuffing it back in the envelope and sending it back to her.
I yearn for one of her editors to bitchslap her into spelling stuff correctly. This is basic stuff, and I don't buy into her "mild dyslexia" thing. She gets umpteen people to read her work, rabid fanboy husbands and fangirl Darla aside, they should pick up on this shit before it goes before a professional editor.
no subject
Date: 2006-02-14 05:05 pm (UTC)BECAUSE SHE TRIES. She puts effort into the things she types! Even Instant Messages, are often full of NOT misspelled words!
Mmmmm, sounds like LKH is bullshitting us to convince us we're Oh So Mean for expecting propper spelling and grammar from her. e.e
no subject
Date: 2006-02-14 04:44 pm (UTC)It is mentally draining because you want everything to flow, and for LKH's editors, I'm surprised if they don't have a brain tumour!
no subject
Date: 2006-02-14 06:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-14 08:28 pm (UTC)