During my absenteeism here in the blogosphere, my awesome friend Tina over at Life Is Good tapped me for the Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award. How cool is that? Thank you so much, Tina. It has been a great joy to reconnect with you this year. You are incredible and inspirational.
Let me pass this great gift onto some wonderful sister bloggers:
Gwen Gardner, brilliant YA author
Robyn Engel at Life By Chocolate, my sister friend and amazing poet
Deniz Bevan at The Girdle of Melian, gifted fantasy and romance writer
PK Hrezo, wonderful writer and friend
Ella at Ella's Edge, friend and incredible positive energy force
KC Kendricks at Between the Keys magnificent writer, friend and fellow car lover
MJ Fifield at My Pet Blog epic writer, sports fan and fellow Whedonite
Susan Gourley Kelly at Susan Says super writer, friend and teacher
Mencara Mitchell, new friend and fierce writer
As if that were not incredible news enough, my amazing friend and cheerleader, Mina over at Some Dark Romantic also tapped me for an award, the Inspirational Liebster. Thank you so much Mina, sorry I am so late getting to this. Stop by her blog and say hello, she's a helluva woman and I adore her. I'll have to do a proper post later as I want to do a proper acceptance.
Hanging my head in shame, I also missed the Insecure Writers Support Group. Sorry, Captain Ninja Alex and my fellow IWSG'ers. Here's an abbreviated post for that. Please check out my fellow members here.
As a writer, while it is important to kill our darlings, cut unnecessary words, scenes, dialogue, etc., it is also important to remain true to our stories and ourselves as authors. Never let anyone alter your voice or that of your characters. Edits should enhance a story, make it better, not change the course of your story, alter your characters to any great degree or change your voice as an author. It's important for first time published authors to know that a good editor makes your story better, he or she does not review your work or try to make huge changes. And never be afraid to ask for an explanation. It is your story.
Speaking of missing. I also missed the Blog Blitz for Brandon Ax at Writer's Storm. Go say hi.
If you love a horror, you should also check out the incredible super post by Craig Edwards of Let's Get Out of Here and Maynard Morrissey of Horror Movie Diary on the horror classics I Know What You Did Last Summer and I Still Know Know What You Did Last Summer. These guys are terrific.
On the subject of terrific, the supercool Jeffrey Beesler drops by on Thursday to tell us all about Optical Osmosis, his incredible new story.
So what has been going on with everyone? I feel like I've been out a million years.
No worries! Late is fine. You're right that edits should make it better not make it someone else's story because your voice is lost in the process.
ReplyDeleteSweet ride.
Congratulations on the awards.
And looking forward to Jeffrey's guest post!
Thank you, my Ninja Captain. I was hip deep in alligators last week and oh man was it rough. I can't wait for Jeff's guest post, either. It's going to be fantastic.
DeleteWe're just glad you're back! Hope everyone is on the mend! Congratulations on the awards! Well deserved! And thank you so much for the shout out! You rock!
ReplyDeleteAww... thank you my friend. Of course I was going to give a shout out to an amazing megapost. I'll be by later to leave my thoughts. You rock as well. :)
DeleteWelcome back!
ReplyDeleteMost editors are not going to ask for those kinds of changes, but if they do, the author must be the one to make the final decision. Sometimes that might mean walking away from a publishing deal, too.
Thank you, Diane! I could not agree with you more. It is ultimately up to the author.
DeleteNice to see you back again Melissa! Congrats on your awesome awards and you are so right, keeping ones voice while telling a story is essential.
ReplyDeleteThank so so much, Siv! It's good to be able to be back and to see you here is awesome. I'm going by your place asap as I've missed you. :) Sorry I've been so absent.
Deletecongrats on the awards, sister!
ReplyDeleteHugs, my dear Dez. Thank you very much!
DeleteYou were missed Melissa, but thanks for catching us up. Good job mentioning that post on I know What You Did Last Summer since Craig has the inside track on so many Hollywood insiders! Congrats on your awards and a hi-five to all the other sistas!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maurice! It's nice to know my presence was missed. I felt bad about being gone, but I had no choice. Craig is an awesome font of info on movies. I love it!
DeleteGlad your back! I agree on changing the voice, I just had an experience with that, again, and did not listen this time (because it didn't make sense) like I did when I was a newbie. :)
ReplyDeleteMs Bradley is popular! Look at all those awards. You go girl!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you're still chugging along, girl! And whoa, that's a sweet ride! W00F! Thanks for the shout-out and may the force be with you!
ReplyDeleteSome Dark Romantic
Thanks for the sisterhood award. I have four natural sisters and six terrific sister-in-laws. The more the merrier for me. You come back with a bang. I'll be checking out the links you included for an hour.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you back and hope things are calming down, a bit, for you!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to Jeffrey Beesler stopping by...we've been Google Plus buddies for a while and know he's a great guy :)
OMG!!! You didn't bring that car to my house?!?!?!? How fast does it really go? I'm green with envy, girlfriend. I like the looks of the Challenger and if the repairs to my Charger from where that idiot hit me don't hold up (I hate rattles!), guess what I'm going to look for?
ReplyDeleteAnd you're absolutely right about edits. It's the writer's name on the front of the book. It's the writer's work.
Congrats on your award! YOU are so deserving~ I am touched you included me~ I haven't forgotten you-life has been cuckoo!
ReplyDeleteI wish we could go for a drive in that wild, white beauty! ;D
Yes, I hope life is calming down too...well said Mark!