Confessions of a Writer of Westerns
January 17, 2022
We are back from a short trip to
see family in southeast Nebraska. Always nice to catch up and, for us, an
excellent time to refresh. I didn’t get much written during our short trip, but
as always – some good ideas.
Editing westerns can be tricky, especially when using old west slang or vernacular of the day. I am often asked about editing. Most wannabe writers are as worried about this as they are writing. Today I want to talk a bit about it. First, it is hard. Second, find some great, before publication readers.
Zane Grey
Zane Grey, often credited as
writing the first western – The Virginian – started as a somewhat stiff
and grammatically poor writer who told great tales. His wife Dolly was his
manager and first and often only editor. Like most editors, she made it better.
Some historians believe she made his writing more stiff and proper, but it was
likely the other way.
Dolly Grey worked much like
many writers of today’s first readers. Let them read it and make suggestions.
Most importantly, listen to what they tell you.
Before letting it out to my
first readers, I also use two, yes two, and sometimes three, grammar, spell, and
proper-use software programs.
Flicker puffed up in the cold.
Reading
– The Old Editor Says, by John E. McIntyre. Yep, that is where I got the
idea to write a bit on editing today. It is a tiny little book of 76 pages
packed with wisdom from the long-time editor. My best takeaway from the book?
Take your time when editing – like the adage. Write fast, edit slow.
Noticed
–
It is always nice to be seen and appreciated, and last week I received word that this blog
is now listed in FeedSpot as one of the Top 25 Western Fiction Blogs & Websites.
Click the link to see the list. I read several of these sites – good stuff.
Weather
– Almost spring-like today. Lovely, but it is January and will not last. We are
enjoying it! Yesterday we were in the 40s. Today we are in the mid-fifties.
Quote of the day – “Some editors are failed writers, but so are most writers.” T.S. Eliot
Buddies
Today’s Photos – January
photos along the North Platte River ¼ mile from our home in Wyoming.
Have a great week. Keep on reading,
and keep on writing.
2 comments:
Editing is a topic on which I am frequently questioned. Most aspiring authors are just as concerned about this as they are with writing. Today, I'd like to discuss it briefly. To begin with, it is difficult. Second, locate some excellent pre-publication readers.
Outlook Bellen
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