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Inclinations

Priscilla Fagan

Editors and Editing

When asked what had stumped him, causing him to rewrite the ending to Farewell to Arms thirty-nine times, Ernest Hemingway replied, "Getting the words right."

How many times have I sat and stared at a scene, knowing something was wrong but not able to put my finger on it. I know what I want to say and I know what the scene looks like in my mind's eye, but I just can't get the words right. This has caused me, at times, to put the damn thing away and not look at it for months, even years. But ultimately, I hazard a peek --lo and behold, the right words inevitably jump out at me. Doris Lessing certainly had it right when she said, "In the writing process, the more a thing cooks, the better."

Rewriting. Oh, I know, some of us hate it. I happen to love it; to see that story which came from a simple idea flourish. Sometimes the beginning changes, many times the middle or the end. Occasionally a character may lead us down another path and runs away with a scene that suddenly blooms. And we say wow, where did this come from?. We are simply geniuses . . . but what about when an editor comes into the picture and tells us to take this blockbuster scene from heaven out?

Regarding editors, writer, Peter Mayle says, "Listen and learn." Isaac Asimov counters with, "Don't let editors edit the life out of your sentences!" Still, Mark Skousen advises, "The editors are always right. Don't argue with them." Editor, Paul C. Smith told Herb Caen when he began his first column in 1938, "For God's sake, kid, be entertaining. And remember, I have a short attention span."

Woe is me! Am I getting a headache? Advice from editors, advice from writers. So, what do we do when push comes to shove? Gay Talese offers, "Listen, then make up your own mind." Hmm, helpful but will this opinion get my book published? Is the Editor right? Am I copping out on my own advice when I say -- these are just my opinions and nothing more? Isn't an editor, after all, just giving us his or her opinion? HELP! Even Stephen King, almost tossed the towel in when an Editor told him to go back to the drawing board. (He didn't - take a lesson from this.)

William Sloane makes a lot of sense, "The editor is a specialist about reading. His specialty is what is sufficiently general and common between a possible readership and what the author has to say. The tool he works with is himself. If the author cannot reach him, he can't reach the editor's readership either." I wish I could let this sink into my brain, but I can be so stubborn sometimes.

Well, I'm still confused, even with a mind of my own. I wonder if editors can be shown the light? Shh, but I do know of at least one who can be. As for my novels, I guess I should get back to my revisions and find out -- one of these days.

I'll leave you with this little gem of an inclination from Dave Barry. "Always remember that if editors were so damned smart, they would know how to dress."

Until next month I remain, after editing this piece for the umteenth time.

Priscilla,
the eternal optimist