Damus
Lyn Alden profile picture
Lyn Alden
@LynAlden
One of the things I find most challenging in fiction lately is over-editing.

Like, I managed to write my thing, but no I’m not stephen king; so I’m always looking for areas to improve.

Under-editing would risk plot holes or other major issues. I would only publish something I put a ton of thought into.

Over-editing risks detracting from author voice.

I send drafts to my husband, since we’re currently apart due to a construction project, and he’s one of the few people that amuses me because he’ll literally comment on my manuscript with brutal inside jokes like “I know you were raised poor and you don’t know better, but this change would be retarded, you should revert” or “I get what you’re doing here, but ultimately you should respect the reader. This edit would be incorrect. Go out and touch grass instead of propose bad changes like this.”
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Tito Asimo · 52w
Aww... such a sweet "brutal" couple
Aitor Angualia · 52w
😂
Christopher · 52w
Focus on the development of story first. If you're finding that too difficult, then you're too close and you won't discern the woods from trees. Bury it for a couple of weeks or longer and then come back. After development, then words, spelling etc. Good luck! No rush.
Joe · 52w
We don’t hear about your husband much, is he a badass In his own realm too?
Aida · 52w
Now might be the right time to pass this to your publisher. Their editor or redactor will handle this phase, and they will likely do a better job because they have some distance from the text.
HasH⚡️ · 52w
Software engineers suffer from over engineering and refactoring too much as well. 😉
Hoshi · 52w
The „respect the reader“ comment makes me instantly liking your husband.
Bewlay · 52w
I one did an experiment once… i asked (paid) three editors to review my first three MG chapters. Got 10 different views / suggestions- sometimes 180 degrees diopposed ~ as Ricky Nelson sung “ You can’t please everyone… so you gotta please yourself”.
John James · 52w
I received a piece of advice from my cousin (an award-winning author) hope it helps 🙏🏼 “Build a small team of beta readers from different walks of life, and trust their judgement. Ask them all specific questions separately and compare their feedback when a decision is unclear to you. Ask ...
nostrich · 52w
That’s love
Börje · 52w
Authors of fiction literature need to separate the underlying fabula from the written sujet. The former lives in the head of the author (and reader), the latter exists on paper. Frankly, the written text is really only a means to an end — to communicate the underlying fabula. Authors who internali...
Boniz23⚡️🇮🇹₿ 🏴‍☠️ · 52w
Hi lyn Editing is like seasoning a dish—too little and it’s bland, too much and you lose the original flavor. Sounds like your husband is the kind of editor who keeps the meal from getting overcooked.