Editing: Does it REALLY matter??

A little double dipping here, I've also posted this on the AKRWA Blog for this week.

Spell checkers and other editing things.

Love them or hate them, they are helpful and useful tools. In fact, I recommend every writer have Spell Check turned on at all times. In MSWord, that little red line will help you catch misspellings immediately. Then there's the blue line to alert you to the wrong spelling, or possibly the wrong word—also a useful tool. The green grammar lines? Those I tend to ignore since fiction writing takes some liberties with proper English.

However.

Yeah, you knew that was coming. However. These built-in tools in super-smart word processing programs do not take the place of the human eye and, I hope, human intelligence.

After the program has done its best to help is when a really sharp-eyed editor or beta reader comes in. Someone who can catch the things your MSWord program and tired eyes won’t. There, their, and they’re all sound the same with very different meanings. She’s and she’d are very easy to mix up with the “s” and “d” keys being side by side. I see loose and lose mixed up more times than I care to mention. Your program won’t flag any of the above as misspelled.

Same with roll and role. “He acted out his roll with finesse and skill.” Does this mean he knew how to play a bit of bread? (Ha! Word just tried to correct the word for me. I set it straight.) I suppose it could mean he did a perfect job of rolling down the hill, across the floor, into bed… but in the context of the story, this was not the meaning.

I recently found this sentence in a published book: “He drew in a shaky breath, tried to recall if this was how he felt about her first kiss as a green lad of fourteen.” One word. Just one word is out of place here and makes the sentence ludicrous. Yet to a spell checker program everything is just hunky dory. Had that been the only instance of an error, I probably would have blown it off. Sadly, it was one of at least half a dozen errors that leaped off the page and threw me out of an otherwise entertaining story.

Of course, I’ve seen the spell checker do harm by trying to correct a word here and there. A badly spelled word can be switched in the blink of an eye. Back in the day when I edited technical reports for scientists, I caught one trying to marinate a laser. He’d tried to type “maintain” but mangled it so badly MSWord changed the word to “marinate.” I learned to read his reports very closely.

The key here is editing. Careful, thoughtful, intelligent human editing. A good edit will catch these little goofs that can cause an author’s intelligence and education to be called into question. Yes, typos will at some point escape everyone. It happens. I’ve seen it in NYT bestseller books. If there are no more than two per novel, those are easily shrugged off. More than that? Well, that’s where credibility begins to be called into question.

Years ago, two or three at least, I was reading a book released by my then publisher (the book was not mine, thankfully) and was horrified to see that consistently throughout the book, barely (Merriam Webster Definition of BARELY 1: in a meager manner : plainly 2: scarcely, hardly) was consistently replaced with barley. (BARLEY: a cereal grass.)

I’m sure the author knew the difference between the two, but no one caught the misspelling before release. One time in a novel, well, ok. But more than two dozen times? The author really liked that word, I suppose. Too bad it was the wrong one. At least it was consistent? Nah. Bad ju-ju all the way around.

Which leads me to something I’ve said since the days I was an editor and in charge of other editors who had the joy of editing my books.

NO-one is above editing, least of all me.

I don’t care who you are, or how many novels you’ve sold world-side, we ALL make mistakes. Whether from reading a manuscript too many times, fingers hitting the wrong key or an extra key, or MSWord trying to help out, we all need one more pair of sharp eyes to help us see the tiny errors hiding in the text. Or the not so tiny errors, such as missing words or extra limbs appearing in a love scene. Or the magical leap across the room complete with bouncing eyes. Or unintentional time or head hopping. Or changing hair/eye color without a reasonable explanation. No writer is immune.

Bottom line here. For all the “eyes” who beta-read and edit your brilliantly written book (novella, blog, etc.), the final responsibility falls to you, the author. That’s what galleys are for. They’re our last chance to make it perfect. Never, ever, rush this stage, or you might have me gently knocking at your inbox with a kindly worded email, which you’ll hopefully take to heart in the spirit intended: support and assistance.

Okay, seriously, only my closest compatriots get those emails. I barely have time to write my own novels and beg for critiquing without adding more to my plate. Because with what I throw at them? I get it back ten-fold. Lord love my crit partners, because I sure do—after I finish whining about their comments.

So what do you do? I’ve heard of several things authors do to help catch these little things.

• Read the work out loud.
• Read it backwards.
• Read it very slowly, out loud, and backwards.
• Know your weaknesses and do searches for them.
• Surround yourself with excellent critique partners who will actually give you the bad news that your grammar stinks. Better them than a reader or reviewer.
• Find a beta reader who excelled in English. (Mine beat me bloody about improper and over-usage of the word “that.” Still does to this very day. And no, you may not have her name or email address. She’s all MINE.)

I’m sure there are many more techniques out there. I’d love to hear yours. Maybe it will help me do a better job. (And yes, I had at least three people read this article! The mistakes it still contains remain my fault entirely.)

Morgan Q. O'Reilly

Get Some Tonight

http://morganqoreilly.com

For Men: What makes YOUR perfect mate?

Seriously, this is for research, so I'm looking for honest, thoughtful answers.

Let me explain. The time is far in the future and a young woman wants to immigrate to a newly colonized planet.

A young man, eighteen, and unmarried, is helping his cousin of the same age fill out an application to become a mail order bride.

He insists on putting down things he's convinced the perfect woman can do. From cooking to fishing, he makes a list of all he considers important in his future wife, therefore he expects other men will appreciate the same qualities in a wife. If she's even looked at a sewing machine (stores are few and far between on the colony) he insists she claim she's a seamstress.

So. Here's where you men come in handy. Especially those of you under 22, and unmarried, although I'm curious to hear from the older, married/committed men as well.

Give me your dream list. Keep it somewhat clean. You can state "likes alternative sex" but I'd rather not have a list of particular positions, OK? But let's get beyond the physical relationship. Does she have to like what you like? Music? Games? Movies? Food? Does she have to be responsible for all housework if you're responsible for everything from the garage outward? How about some give and take?

Feel free to answer anonymously, but I would like to know your age and stage of commitment, such as: 22 Single. 20 Married. 17 and Hoping. 32 still looking... etc.

Ladies, hold your answers, please. You'll get your say!!

MorganO

To The Stars... And Beyond!

Borealis Book I Borealis Book II

Two of your favorite authors, SIX great reads!

If you like Futuristic Science Fiction, then these two books will provide six times the pleasure. Of course, the entries by Jmo and me will be the highlights... okay, who am I kidding? They're all great and focus on six different sets of brave heroines and hunky heroes. What more could a girl want?

Below are the excerpts from the stories your Morgan authors contributed. This time Shea gets to step into MorganO's place for a fun romp through the space station.

Kiss Me, Kate by J. Morgan

K'Tyln Dar is a pampered prince who wants to finally become the man his planet needs so he goes in search of the baddest bounty hunter in the known universe -- The Professor.

Richelle is called The Professor because she knows every possible way to kill a man. Most people -- like K'tyln -- have no idea that the most ruthless killer in the known universe is a woman. And she likes to keep it that way. Richelle has neither the time nor patience for a puff-shirt, golden boy politician like K'tyln Dar.

When he brazenly demands to meet The Professor and reveals his desire to 'learn to be a warrior', her first thought is to put him in his pompous place. But, as he takes his licks -- and bruises -- and contusions -- she sees a glimpse of the man he not only wants to be, but the man he is deep down inside.

Bleu Lies by Shea McMaster

Commander Kal Raines began questioning the wisdom and guidance of the TPP when they exiled him to the Borealis. But, he's loyal if nothing else. Since then, he's questioned every choice he's made in the name of the TPP.

Summer Merriweather has worked for the Rebellion under many names and in many situations, and now she's on Borealis. She has a mission which includes sizing Kal and how he might be of use to the forces opposing the TPP. Is he ready to switch sides?

When Summer crosses Kal's path, she brings even more choices into question and he sees his loyalties have been thrown to the feet of swine. When he realizes he has the chance to help in the ultimate overthrow of the TPP… he stands and the precipice and must either step back or jump. Step back, and let the Rebellion die… Jump… and join Summer in an ongoing, stealthy battle to strengthen the rebellion and perhaps someday overthrow the TPP.

We hope you check them out and fall in love with a whole new world.

Morgan O'Reilly

Writing as Shea McMaster

A Two-Fer at LASR

Today, I feel doubly honored. Long and Short Reviews has nominated not one but two of my current releases for Book of the Week. Immortally Yours and The Borealis Anthology are both in some pretty great company. Sadly, I must now use my Jedi Mind Tricks to encourage you to go vote.

These are the books you want to vote for...


Please ignore the man waving his hand like a loon, but he's a bit insane, being an author and all. Okay, I'm the one waving but still that's no reason not to step forward and cast your vote. Besides, it might make me stop twirling my hand around. My wrist is starting to hurt.

Thanks ahead of time for your consideration and vote,

Jmo

Here's where to go cast your ballot!

Long and Short Reviews

Guest Author Jennifer Hartz

It's been awhile since we posted an interview but when I found out fantasy author Jennifer Hartz was available, I had to dust off the old Gandalf costume and invite her to the Diaries' plush and palatial offices for a sit down, hoping for some dishy dish on her upcoming book, Conception, Book One in the Future Savior series. I read the blurb on the Desert Breeze site and have been waiting breathlessly—well not breathlessly, because I'm still alive—for its September release. I so do love a good fantasy.

So, please give a rousing welcome to Jennifer Hartz. Okay, you guys in the back, I didn't hire you to stand around looking like elves. Let's hear some clapping and somebody glue Bernie's pointy ear back on. I will not have people thinking the Morgan Diaries can't afford Lucas-worthy special effects!

Jmo: Jennifer, welcome to the Diaries. Please ignore Bernie. Sauron knows, I wish I could. I had some Lembas bread here somewhere but it appears someone got a case of the munchies. Excuse me for one moment, Jennifer. Reginald! No, don't try to deny it. There're crumbs in your makeup. Now, where were we? Oh, Yes, please say hello to our readers and tell them a little about yourself.

Jennifer: Hello to Jmo, the motley crew (elves included), and of course the readers! First of all, thanks so much for having me on your blog… at least I think this is a good thing. Should I be worried that Reginald might eat something else?

As Jmo said before Bernie's ear fell off, my name is Jennifer Hartz. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, but currently I live in northeast North Carolina. I have a great husband and an amazing little boy. I also work as a teacher. If all of that wasn't enough to monopolize my time, now I've taken on the task of being a writer… apparently I enjoy torturing myself.

Jmo: Let's cut right to the chase. Conception! Tell our readers about this amazing looking book.

Jennifer: The best way I can sum up Future Savior is to say that it is a combination of all the stories I have ever loved. It is essentially a Christian fantasy series, similar to The Lord of the Rings, but modernized and with a major romantic storyline. There are also some subtle sci-fi elements and a huge cliffhanger that stems from the season finales of my favorite sitcoms. What? We have to wait all summer to find out if Ross and Rachel get together?!

The story revolves around Christina Vaughn, a seemingly ordinary person who is thrust into an extraordinary situation only to find out she's not as ordinary as she assumed. As Christina makes her way through her amazing fantasy-like adventure, she learns a great deal about her unbelievable past. She falls in love along the way, all the while battling horrific monsters and struggling with her remarkable destiny.

Jmo: I love the idea of an Inspirational Fantasy. How hard was it to combine all the elements of what people traditionally think of as fantasy with the Inspirational side of the book?

Jennifer: The pieces sort of fell into place on their own. As I conjured up my fantasy, the Inspirational elements of the story-line evolved right along with it. I think this stems from my strong Christian faith. I'm sure there will be some more conservative Christians who will hate Future Savior, it's near impossible to write an Inspirational Fantasy without having a few eyebrows raised, but I hope the majority of people out there can stretch their imaginations and truly enjoy the story.

Jmo: World building! You know I love it. With a series on this scale, how much world building took place before you started the first book? Did you already have an outline of what you wanted to accomplish or did the different elements fall into place as you dug in to write the book?

Jennifer: The Future Savior Series is the byproduct of a ridiculously long commute. I have an hour and a half drive… one-way. That's three hours in the car! One day, while driving, I started to daydream about interesting characters and the fantastical land of Meric. I would let my mind conjure up different storylines for my mystical characters, pulling out the things that really worked and filing them away in my memory bank. For three months these daydreams continued until I finally realized I needed to sit down and write. There are five books in the series and I have them all planned out… I just need to sit down and write the remaining four!

For the actual structure of The Land of Meric and all its lovely little details, I have a pretty good template already in existence with which to use… okay, I know that sounds vague, but if you read Future Savior Book Two: Resurrection it will make sense.

Jmo: Will the series revolve around Christina, the main character in book one, or will different characters narrate each book?

Jennifer: Future Savior is Christina's story to tell so she'll be leading you through the entire five book series

Jmo: Normally, I'd pound you with questions and wring every ounce of knowledge out of you, but this beard is beginning to itch—I think it has beard bugs or something in it—and I want to leave plenty of room for a juicy excerpt. I want to hit you with one more question before you leave. No, Bernie put down your hand. This isn't Q and A, time. I'm the only one with the power to ask questions. See, I've got the staff, so I get to do it. One more thing outta you and you're not getting paid. So, no store brand Oreos for you!

Sorry about that. You just can't hire quality anymore. As I was about to ask, what is the one thing you hope readers walk away with after finishing Conception?

Jennifer: "Write a story that you would enjoy reading." That was the advice I used when working on Conception. I created a story I would love so my hope for the readers is that they have as much fun reading Conception as I had writing it.

Jmo: Thanks for joining us today, Jennifer. It's been a blast. Before you go drop that excerpt on us, please let everyone know where they can keep track of you and your amazing books on the Net.

Jennifer: It was great being here Jmo, thanks! Although I am a little worried at the way Reginald is staring at me. I hope he doesn't follow me home. By the way, congratulations on Immortally Yours, your own September release. I'm looking forward to reading it! The best place to find me is my website:

http://jenniferhartz.com

http://jenniferhartz.com/blog

Facebook

Twitter

That's your one-stop-shop for all things Future Savior! People can learn more about me, my books, and all the other fun places to find me on the web including Twitter and Facebook. I hope everyone enjoys the following excerpt… including Bernie.

Future Savior: Conception

Available now from Desert Breeze Publishing

Excerpt:

Shaw faced me and the frightened men. His incredible pale blue eyes narrowed, and burned with such intensity they were nearly silver. "Stay back. I can handle this."

A brilliant flash of lighting framed his perfect physique in an illuminating beauty. A resounding crack of thunder pounded the air, and I jumped. How did the storm happen upon us so quickly?

The five men backpedaled until they were behind me. Then Shaw spun to face the beasts. He tossed his bow and arrows off to the side and ripped out his long sword from its sheath. Neither Shaw nor the Vaipes attempted to strike. They assessed each other, trying to ascertain a weakness, I supposed. The Vaipes on either end of the pack were trying to slowly loop around behind Shaw and surround him. This was the scene from my premonition!

The lightning and thunder continued. Shaw's muscles tensed. He prepared to attack. Looking around me quickly I realized that the five men were gone. I stood back myself, watching Shaw, not knowing what to do. I had my sword raised, but I had no clue how to help him.

Apparently he didn't need my help.

He pounced with alarming speed. The spin move he performed was so quick, so strong, so devastating that when he completed the one-hundred and eighty degree turn that took less than a matter of seconds he had killed seven of the Vaipes.

He faced me now and the fierce, deep concentration in his face astounded me. He attacked Vaipe after Vaipe, and the beasts continued to fall before him. I couldn't believe how swiftly and fluidly Shaw moved. He had pulled out his smaller sword now and assailed the creatures two at a time.

Shaw truly had to be the greatest warrior in all of Meric. None of the Vaipes even came close to him. He just spun, ducked, thrashed, lunged, turned and twisted so effortlessly that it barely appeared he exerted any energy at all.

When the last Vaipe lay dead, he walked toward me, wiping the blood and gore off his face. I stared, amazed by what he just accomplished.

He looked me over, drawing the back of his hand across his cheek. "Are you alright?"

It was a loaded question. Was I physically injured? Was I mentally scarred for life?

I replayed the last few minutes in my head. I witnessed a man being eaten and Shaw slaying more than twenty Vaipes. The stuff of nightmares.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Even though I wanted my statement to sound brave, I couldn't control the shakiness of my voice.

"You should go inside one of the houses," Shaw reiterated.

I was about remind him of my last answer to that suggestion when a Vaipe leapt at us from on top of the fence. I dropped my sword and tried to shove Shaw out of the way, but he was just out of my arms reach. My telekinetic powers kicked in again and I brushed Shaw off to the side with my left hand as easily as sweeping dust from a shelf. With my right hand, I held the Vaipe in midair. It looked at me with such hatred and rage that I couldn't help but scoff ever so slightly. Then I thrust my right arm as hard as I could, throwing the Vaipe into the fence knocking the wind out of it. Grabbing my sword again, I ran to the dazed monster. I hesitated for just one second, wondering if it was right to kill something that was knocked unconscious, when its eyes snapped open and it snarled at me, bracing for attack. The instinct to protect myself outweighed my moral debate, and I slashed it straight through heart.

I turned back to Shaw, breathing hard. He stared at me with raised eyebrows and a slightly open mouth.

I smiled. "How can I go inside a house when clearly you need my help."

Shaw snorted a laugh. "Clearly." He gathered up his bow and nodded for me to follow.

Jmo Interviews Himself??

Because MorganO disappeared for a long weekend -- really, who gave her permission? -- I ask you all join me and me as I interview myself--huh?--on the Kwips and Kritiques Blog today.

Yes, I meant to say that.

So kick off your Labor Day Eve with a little insanity and a lot of laughs. This just might prove that I do indeed need to be locked away. Let's hope not. I have an unnatural fear of padded surfaces.

Kwips and Kritiques Blog

Immortally Yours -- as in Forever.

Immortally Yours <= Get it here!

A NEW Release from J.Morgan!

Chase Michaels thought being cursed to live forever was a pain in the butt, until he finds himself on the trail of a runaway bride. When the lovely Mrs. Belle Gardner puts three shots right into his chest, he discovers pain in the butt doesn't even begin to cover the trouble he's let himself in for.

Learning that his client lied to him and that his trace is really the client's stepdaughter, Chase's rusty conscience gets the better of him. He agrees to protect her, only to find himself sinking into a deeper mystery that somehow connects Belle to his curse. Thrown headlong into a dark world where fairytales walk the earth, he must fight to keep them both alive. As a war of apocalyptic proportions breaks out around them, Chase struggles to discover if he can stand being immortal if it means losing the one thing he's never had -- love.

Chase is big, and bad, and gorgeous! Don't mess with Chase, unless you want to tickle his love engine. This hero is hot and just too much fun for words. Well, Jmo has the words, it's up to you to read them.

MorganO says: Eternally thrilling!

Shea McMaster says: Better than vampires!

Quinn O'Shea says: Magically delicious!

Get your copy today and be forever entertained. Well, until his next book comes out. In a month. Oct 1, The Borealis Anthology from Desert Breeze Publishing, but more on that later.