Thursday, July 18, 2013

Christine Presents: “The first draft of anything is shit.” ― Ernest Hemingway

I think Hemingway, in a not so subtle way, is telling writers to edit then edit again.

Which brings me to my thoughts on nano and writing vs. texting. While nano is a wonderful tool for young authors as well as old ones to complete a manuscript, authors need to remember that editing afterwards is just as important as the finished rough draft. The completed word count doesn't mean the book is ready for publishing.

Repetitive words, crazy tags, (barked, smirked, growled, snapped etc.), poorly constructed sentences that leave the readers scratching their heads. The overuse of the word 'that' as well as redundancy all need to be edit from the book.

Enough preaching...

Let's move on to texting vs. writing. I've seen an increased use of multiple punctuation marks, ellipses  and dashes. I've read in some of my loops that editors don't like this because they cannot be formatted. True, the editors I know don't like the multiples use of anything. False, they can be formatted. But why... format... something that is so distracting???

Are we writing that way because we text that way!?! Can we not make up our minds which punctuation mark to use? Or am I just a puritan who won't join the club?

"Watch out!!!" he exclaimed. Do three exclamation marks give it more exclamation? I just don't get it.

Are we going to start writing 'u' instead of you?

Will we put 'IDK' for I don't know?

Hmm... is this food for thought?

Please leave comments. What do you think and how do you feel about all of this. And if you see it in another book, does it make it right?




Allura
Christine Young
Excerpt Heat Level: 1
Book Heat Level: 4

Buy at: www.roguephoenixpress.com

Eddington, Scotland 1815

"You can’t plan to wed me to that--that man down there!" Allura McClellan’s heart thundered and lodged in her throat. Balled into fists her hands trembled. "You promised I could marry for love. I thought when the last man failed to discover this imaginary secret you think I have, you would stop this craziness. I thought you would take the ad out of the Times and the other papers."

From the boxing ring below, fist met flesh, the sound echoing throughout. Hunter Gray whirled and ducked. He guarded his face to block the stinging blows his opponent rained down upon him. He spun and ducked again. The man he fought countered the attack, but he did not move fast enough. Hunter’s next jab was so fast and so hard the other man didn’t block the punch. The man staggered backwards, blood running from his eye. Men yelled and cheered for the two combatants. Hunter paused and spoke to the man he practiced with before the match continued once more.

Allura saw her life as she had planned it slip away as if it was grains of sand in an hour glass. She stopped pacing and watched the men below. She turned on her father. "The ad in the Times--giving me away to any man--you have gone too far. A marriage of convenience is barbaric. You promised." For a moment, she closed her eyes. She did not want to acknowledge anything that went on here. It was not her fault she could not find a man she loved. What horrific bit of bad luck had found her?

The laird cleared his throat. "Perhaps I have not gone far enough or soon enough. And the ad did not promise you to just any man. He must be strong enough and smart enough to win your hand."

It was not Allura’s nature to allow others to rule her fate. “These men,” she waved her hand in the air, frustration sweeping recklessly within. "They don’t want me. They come for one reason only. They are greedy and hungry for power. You have taught me everything I need to know. I can run your estate and all of your holdings. I’ve studied endless hours. I know the men who work for you. I swear I’ll defy your wishes. At the altar I will say no."

The McClellan’s grin faded as quickly as it had appeared and without further thought, he said, "Perhaps not, you are beautiful lass--one with rare promise. And," he stroked his chin, "no matter how much book learning a woman has she cannot dictate her own life. It is up to the men in her life to make sure she is happy and provided for."

A strained silence followed. She sagged against the stone wall. As if sensing her vulnerable position, she stiffened. Outraged and furious she looked upon her father. "They are money grubbers and want your land--our land. They have no right to any of your estate."

The McClellan held back for a moment, seemingly aware there was more than just a little truth in what Allura said. "How indeed?" he questioned her. Yet his smile was tight, forced. "I grow old. I only want this land secured and my daughters happy before I die. You are twenty-two. I have given you ample opportunity to fall in love. I thought it time to bring new blood to this land, a new man. I thought perhaps one would take your fancy."

"That man," she began. Her hand shook when she pointed at the man who danced and whirled avoiding each blow as if he dallied in child's play. She trembled so violently she could not speak. “Is an Englishman.”




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