EDITOR BINGO

[ellenkushner]

I belong to a very loose-knit writer's group:  when someone has a big project done, h/she convenes all the others in our little brain trust to critique and discuss it.  Last year, someone finished the first draft of a novel.  By the time the group was able to meet, she'd already gotten notes from her editor for revision.  We all assembled in the livingroom.  "Do you want to hear the editor's notes first?" she asked. No! we said.  Let's do our own comments - but every time we say something the editor already said, you have to shout BINGO!

Oddly enough, after nearly 2 hours, we'd only scored 1 1/2 Bingos.

Which just goes to show - there are more than 13 Ways of Looking at a Novel.

And speaking of writing:

I just stumbled across Lynn Flewelling (otterdance )'s excellent article The Complete Nobody’s Guide to Query Letters, over at the SFWA site, which offers many, many such gems on the art & biz of writing.  Full of wise advice, encouragement & common sense.  Go see.