The Editor's Eye

A Practical Guide to Transforming Your Book From Good to Great

by Stacy Ennis

I actually bought and started reading this book immediately after having sent my manuscript off to an editor, so you might think that was too late for me to glean any use from it, but you would be wrong. Aside from the fact that there's always the next book, I really learned a lot from this book that I'm sure I can apply to my very first novel.

The most important thing I learned was the number of times I will need to have my book edited. I was kind of hoping that the editor I've already sent it to, plus maybe a proofreader later on down the road would fix me up. Turns out that's not the case. After the substantive editing stage (which is where I'm at right now, and I hadn't even known it was called that), Ennis recommends at least two rounds of copyediting and three rounds of proofreading before publication, and the last round of proofreading should be after the book has been formatted. That is not something I ever would have thought to do, but it makes sense. I know formatting is something a lot of people complain about with self-published books and I myself have come across at least a few that were badly done.

At this point, we've probably all heard about the stigma of self-publishing and how it's reaching a point where that bad rap really isn't warranted anymore. I don't think I need to add to that fight, so I'll just stay out of it (for now). The point is that editing your book is an integral part of getting that clean, polished look that will help make it unrecognizable from traditionally published books. This book emphasizes that point, and by extension, the need for multiple revisions.

There are a couple statements Ennis makes about the editing/writing process that I don't agree with. For starters, she defines editing as everything you do to get a book from the idea stage to the published stage, including writing the rough draft. I can't agree with that when I've heard so many other people say that the best thing to do is to turn off the editing part of your brain while you write. Just get the words down on the page before you review and try to change them. They are, in fact, two different processes. Writing is messy. Editing is cleaning up and organizing the mess.

I also disagreed with her position that every writer needs an outline. Her evidence is a few bestselling authors who use outlines. Good for them. They've found a system that works well for them and that's awesome. That doesn't mean that system works for everyone. Personally, I hate outlines, and I know I'm not the only one. My stories tend to be very character-driven, and in order to get a good story where everything flows and makes sense, I need to just dive into my characters and their world and see what happens. I've had too many major plot twists happen that way and I don't want an outline holding me back from staying true to my awesome characters when they decide to surprise me.

I've also heard writers complain about getting bored with their story when they use an outline. The way I see it, that's the worst thing that can happen. If you get bored by your own story, what are the chances that your readers will stay engaged?

East of Eden

by John Steinbeck

I never had any desire to read Steinbeck. This was most probably due to the fact that I never had to read any of his books when I was in school, and the kids who did read them said they were terrible. So I took their word for it and avoided him (avoid is a pretty strong word. It's more accurate to say that I did not seek him out).

That all changed one day when the receptionist where I work raved about this book called "East of Eden". She mentioned that they are remaking it into a movie with Jennifer Lawrence, and that's all I needed to hear to get interested. So I checked it out from my local library to see what it was all about.

It was awesome. I read the description on Goodreads before adding it to my "to-read" shelf, but had forgotten it by the time I got the book. I actually prefer it that way because I don't like to have any preconceived notions going into a book. I just sat back to enjoy this one and enjoy it I did.

The story is hard to describe. At it's heart, its really about destiny and human nature and the need for acceptance. The story starts with two brothers, Adam and Charles (their initials are significant. Think Abel and Cain). Adam has a good heart and is strictly nonviolent, and Charles is the opposite. I think Charles has a good heart, too. He loves his brother and his father. He just has this uncontrollable temper. Adam learns not to ignite Charles's temper, but one day he's not careful enough. Charles beats him within an inch of his life and comes back to finish the job, but Adam hides until Charles gives up and goes home.

A decade or two later Adam, being sweet but not too bright, names his twin sons (who are probably actually Charles's sons) Caleb and Aaron. Caleb does not directly kill Aaron (who decides to go by Aron), but he does do something very cruel which ultimately results in Aron's death.

The best part of this book was the depiction of the struggle between good and evil that happens inside each of us (OK, most of us. The mother of the two boys is just a sociopath). It also addresses the fact that this struggle is different for everyone. Caleb laments the fact that Aron doesn't struggle the way he does, while simultaneously admitting that he doesn't actually know that. Everyone else may assume that Aron is pure good, but Aron might not see it that way. Who among us cannot relate to that?

I have two favorite parts of this book:

1) The discussion about the story of Cain and Abel and how exactly it is written in the Bible, including different translations. That was a great conversation that brought to light a number of good points about the story, including the observation that Cain really got the short end of the stick and the possible origins of the story.

2) Lee. He was my favorite character. Part stereotypical wise old Chinese man, part mother. He is not only wise, but also hilarious at times. He would do and say things that completely surprised and delighted me. I probably loved him most for his blunt manner. Adam would try to dance around a topic, but Lee wouldn't let him get away with that. He always saw right through to the heart of the matter and he would talk about that and nothing else. I've always admired people who could do that, fictional or otherwise.

Deadly Heat

by Richard Castle

It's that time again. We're in the middle of summer break between shows, which means I've begun going into Castle withdrawal, which is interesting because I was kind of disappointed by this past season. It had a few good episodes, but overall, it was pretty weak. I have to say that I was really into the show in the very beginning, when Castle and Beckett were just dancing around each other. Now that they're together, it's definitely less amusing. I know they've been trying to keep the tension and the jokes going by infusing stuff into the plans for the wedding preparations, but I was never that into it. They're together and they're making it work and of course they're going to get married, so the stakes aren't as high. Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic are both very talented, and they're obviously doing their best to keep the lame jokes afloat, but I don't think even their talent is up to the task.

They do have great chemistry, though, and that has always been one of my favorite parts of the show. It was also one of my favorite parts about the books, but I feel like that, too, is slipping. This time around, I got pretty tired of Heat's jealousy every time Rook was seen with another woman. Her inordinate rage at the very sight of a particular ex of Rook's also seemed uncharacteristic. She admitted that it was irrational and out of proportion, but that doesn't change the fact that she's not acting like the Beckett I've come to know and love through the TV show. Castle/Rook has always been a bit of a flirt and has always had exes hanging around, and Beckett has (almost) always handled it like a lady. Granted, she had a few slip-ups before they were a couple, but once they got together, I don't think she ever doubted Castle's loyalty, and so I don't think Heat should doubt Rook's. It makes her come off as much more insecure than the detective I want to read about.

I was also kind of disappointed by Rook. I don't know if the jokes are getting worse, or if Nathan Fillion is just an expert at making a bad joke seem funny, but the whole book just felt like the writer was trying way too hard to recreate Fillion's natural charm. Considering I'm already picturing Nathan Fillion as Rook while reading, it shouldn't be that hard to make me love him every bit as much as I love watching, Castle, but somehow the writer managed to screw that up, too.

I don't want to leave you with the impression that I hated this book, because, despite its flaws, I actually really liked it. It was a fun, exciting read and I was happy with the way they tied up all the loose ends of the murder of Heat's mother. It was similar to the show, but only vaguely. It had enough originality to stand strong as it's own story, and it was a story that I enjoyed. Also, the Rainbow Killer made a pretty great villain.

Oh! And Detectives Malcom and Reynolds come back in this book! I was so glad to see them, not just for the Firefly reference, but also because I genuinely like them as characters. I would happily read about them even if they hadn't been named after the greatest space cowboy ever.

Everything That Remains

by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus (The Minimalists)

In some ways this book was very much in line with "The 4-Hour Workweek", which I just read, in that it makes you question the status quo. Like Ferriss, Josh and Ryan also ended up quitting their corporate jobs and living more meaningful lives, doing what they really love to do, but they went at it from a different angle.

They were both making way more money than I will probably ever see in my lifetime, and spending even more. They had giant homes (much too large for one person, as they were both bachelors at the time) that they stuffed with crap, until one day Josh came across a video on Twitter. It was about a guy (Colin Wright) who was featured on a morning talk show because he owned a total of 50 personal possessions.

Now, Wright is on the extreme side, and this book is certainly not trying to say that we all need only 50 items, but Wright talked about de-cluttering his life and opting out of the rat race and that struck a chord with Josh. He started looking around at everything he owned that he didn't need, and suddenly he thought about it in a different light. Over the course of the next eight months, Josh started getting rid of his excess belongings, stopped buying as much, and started paying off his debt. Ryan noticed that Josh seemed a lot happier and asked what was up. Josh explained, Ryan thought it sounded good, so they had a packing party for Ryan.

Unlike Josh, who slowly got rid of the things he didn't need, Ryan wanted to dive in head first. So they packed up every single one of his belongings, including his furniture and wall hangings. Over the next three weeks, Ryan unpacked items only when he used them. At the end of those three weeks, about 80% of his stuff was still boxed up. Except for some seasonal clothes, Ryan sold or donated everything that remained in those boxes.

After the stuff went, it wasn't too long before they started wondering why they were killing themselves at jobs they hated so they could make money they weren't spending. Their jobs didn't align with their values, so they quit (actually Josh quit, Ryan was fired shortly after, but he didn't seem to be too broken up about it).

The book is written as a sort of memoir of how they came to be minimalists and how it has changed their lives. It's written in narrative prose from Josh's perspective, with end notes from Ryan that act as commentary. Ryan's notes are pretty great, and definitely worth the use of a 2nd bookmark.

It's not a how-to-be-a-minimalist book, it's just the story of how these two friends came across and embraced minimalism. It includes conversations between them about their stuff and their jobs and why they're so unhappy. Those conversations feel a little awkward, like the made-up conversations that Plato had in The First Republic, but they're there to get a point across and they succeed in serving that purpose.

Personally, I have to admit that, for the past few years, I've started feeling overwhelmed by the consumer culture we live in. I think I was in high school when I realized that the joy of getting new things only lasts as long as the things are new. Packing all my stuff twice a year for college was also an eye-opener as far as just how much stuff I had. The last few years have kind of worn me down to a Grinch. Christmas is ridiculous, then there's birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, more birthdays, and then it's Christmas again. It's this endless carousel of giving and getting shit and I want off.

A few years ago, I tried to tell my mom I didn't want anything for Christmas and she said I wasn't allowed to do that. That was exasperating until I figured out the trick of asking for experiences, instead of stuff, and that has gone really well.

As far as getting rid of the stuff I already have, that was also something I had already been considering doing. I already pack up a box of books to give to my local library's book drive every year. This year I decided that, as long as I was doing that, I could get rid of some other things. I think I got rid of four boxes worth of stuff and it feels pretty good.

One of the things I really liked about the book was Josh talking about the various experiments he has conducted to push his limits when it comes to owning and buying less stuff. Just reading about some of the stuff he did made me cringe, but it was also intriguing. As he points out, if you're not pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, you're not growing. I'm pretty hesitant to get outside my comfort zone, but I guess that's what makes it a comfort zone.

The Battle of the Labyrinth

by Rick Riordan

This is my favorite Percy Jackson book so far, and I'm not even sure why. Maybe I was just in the perfect mood for something light and fun when I started reading this book. It definitely delivers on the promise for light and fun. This time Percy, the modern day son of Poseidon, has to venture into the Labyrinth, a magical maze that has a way of tricking and distracting anyone who goes in, and convince Daedalus, who created the maze, to help him and his friends at Camp Half Blood against Luke and those who have sided with Kronos.

It doesn't dive right into the action, the way the third book did, and I actually prefer that. Instead, it starts out much like the first two books: Percy, at school, trying desperately not to get kicked out, and failing. This time he gets into trouble before school has even started, on a kind of get-to-know-the-school day in the middle of June, whereupon Percy is promptly attacked by a couple of empusai disguised as cheerleaders. Turns out empusai are basically vampires and they consider the mortal children of the gods to be particularly tasty.

Fortunately, Percy has Rachel Dare with him. There's nothing particularly special about Rachel. She's just a regular mortal: not a god, not the child of a god, not a monster or part monster, but for whatever reason, she can see through the Mist that disguises most monsters and magical things from other mortals. She can see the empusai for what they are right away and she helps Percy snap out of it when one of them tries to enchant him. Also, she has some serious attitude and she might be my new favorite character. I'd hate to make Annabeth even more jealous, but Rachel is just awesome.

Actually, my favorite character is Blackjack, the pegasus who only shows up for a few pages, but manages to make those pages some of the best pages in the entire book. I love his personality and his devotion to Percy. It's both adorable and highly entertaining.

As much as I love Percy, let's face it: he's kind of an idiot. I didn't really get that until this book. Some of it is just normal teenage guy obliviousness, and that I'm willing to overlook. Other times it was like, "Seriously, Percy, they totally told you how to get through the Labyrinth. Wake up already!" On the other hand, I think, by this book, he had learned to apply some past lessons. I was glad that he didn't entirely trust Quintus. Although he promised himself he wouldn't use the whistle Quintus gave him, you knew he was going to use it. Heroes don't get stuff like that so they can just sit in their pockets. On the other hand, I was just as skeptical as Percy when the whistle managed to reappear in his pocket alongside Riptide. That was kinda creepy.

As for Poseidon showing up at the end of the book and telling Percy that he's his favorite son, I'm not sure I bought it. I mean, it's sweet and everything, and I'm happy for Percy, it just doesn't fit with everything else we've heard about the gods not interfering in the affairs of mortals, not caring about their children, and the absent father that Poseidon has been up until now. Maybe I'm being a little too hard on Poseidon, but that particular part struck me as more wish fulfillment than truth to the characters.

Sell Your Book Like Wildfire

by Rob Eager

I actually downloaded this ebook a couple years ago, thinking I would get around to it when I was closer to being ready to publish my book. Well, I'm getting dangerously close to having a decent manuscript, so I figured now would be a good time to read this book.

Turns out, it was the perfect time. First of all: it's excellent. Second: every author knows the importance of having a strong platform before you publish, and this book gives you the tools to do it. Admittedly there was a lot of information in here that I already knew, like the importance of finding your target audience and marketing to them specifically (duh). His wildfire imagery was great, though. The idea that you can't light a wildfire by holding a match under a log is totally true. He explains that you need to build smaller fires that build it up into a wildfire, and that's as true in marketing as it is in the forest.

He also has some excellent tips for getting speaking gigs, and why those are so important. I never would have thought to approach the producer of a radio or television show, but now I'm seriously considering it. As Eager points out, you have nothing to lose by trying.

I understand that speaking engagements were a large part of his marketing strategy, but despite his insistence that all of his tips work as well for fiction as nonfiction authors, I do have my doubts. I don't think you can deny that fiction and nonfiction are different animals, and people expect different things from those two types of authors. Although a fiction author may certainly have information worthy of a speaking engagement, I think a nonfiction author who specializes in relationships is going to have a lot more opportunities to speak at events than a fiction author. I agree with his assessment that fiction authors still have something of value to offer, but I don't think it's necessarily as easily recognized as the kind of expertise that nonfiction authors bring to the table.

That being said, I thoroughly appreciated his final chapter on marketing specifically for fiction authors. Again, there was a lot of stuff in there that I already knew, but it also gave me plenty of new ideas and I can't wait to start implementing them.

Fangirl

by Rainbow Rowell

I don't think I even have the words for all the feelings I have about this book. Rowell tends to do that to me. It's not even fair.

In this book, the main character, Cath, and her twin sister, Wren, are starting college and exploring everything that it means for both of them. Despite the fact that they're identical twins, their personalities are very different. Cath is the introvert who sits at home and writes fan fiction, while Wren is the party girl who goes out and gets drunk. When they register for dorms, Wren doesn't want to live with Cath and Cath is heartbroken because she doesn't want to share space with another person.

But it's totally OK, because then Cath has to live with Reagan and Reagan is the best thing that could ever happen to anyone ever. She is snarky and tough and kind of a bitch, but she means well. She's an upperclassman who did not want to have to deal with a freshman being all freshmany, but she finds herself taking care of Cath despite herself. Cath is just that helpless.

I know that John Green has been loaded with praise for his YA books, and that he's been called the "teenage whisperer". I don't want to belittle his writing, because I'm a fan of his as well, but I also don't want to heap praise on a man whose writing is impressive just because he's a man. If I had to choose between the prominent YA writers of our day, I think I would have to call Rowell the true teenage whisperer. She gets teenagers like nobody else does. Yes, teenagers are awkward and they don't know what to do with themselves, but they think they know what to do, so they go ahead and disaster happens and we enjoy reading about it. If you were wondering what this recent YA craze is about, that's pretty much it in a nutshell.

The problem (at least as I see it) is making teenagers realistically awkward without making me want to slap them. Rowell nails it. I love Cath. I frequently did not understand her decisions and spent much of the book urging her to just do it already, but I never ever wanted to hit her. She's too delicate. And too lovable.

I think Rowell manages this by giving Cath chances to be strong. She won't stand up to her teacher, but she'll rush to the hospital and nurse her dad back to health when no one else will. She tries to make sure he eats right and she's constantly checking on him to make sure he isn't teetering on the edge. All of these are things that no teenager should have to deal with, but Cath takes it all in stride. Yes, she tries to chicken out and quit after her first semester of college, but her dad doesn't let her, and in true storybook fashion, it all works out for the best.