At least when it comes to changing your voice, but there is a difference. Breaking grammar and punctuation rules because you are unaware of them vs. breaking grammar and punctuation rules for voice reasons. A friend of mine recently received copyedits that changed all her fragment sentences. This would have been a very gracious gesture if this copyeditor wasn't changing her voice in the process. Despite the ironclad grammar and punctuation rule to create complete sentences, using a fragment can get you deeper into the character's head without using first person.
This is just one example when writing style is used to create voice. And when that voice irritates the hell out of somebody else.
The flip side of the coin is when your writing style confuses the reader. I've been known from time to time to write a run-on sentence. I'm also a very big fan of the em-dash. This can make for WTF? sentences. Changing my writing style to shorter sentences that brings on clarity has been trying. I feel that is cripples my voice. I don't write or talk in short sentences BUT the need for clarity can override voice.
Or does it?
How does knowing the rules help or hinder your voice?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Okay, I'm Just Rude
On the RWA Industry Loop a woman asked what was the etiquette when you received a rejection letter. In essence she wanted to know if you were supposed to send a thank you note back.
This simple etiquette never crossed my mind. It has nothing to do with sour grapes--just a little--but the agent/editor has already said no. My first rejection I wanted to crawl in a corner in die. Not only that it was a form rejection. My writing didn't grab the editor enough to warrant a genuine response. *sob* The next one I received just kind of ripped my heart out even though by then I was jaded. And then my next query resulted in a sale. Trust me, there were plenty of thank yous to go around with that offer.
The concensus is to not respond for a form. Maybe, respond if there are specific comments, revision requests, or if you have anything else please do send.
What's your take? Has it changed over the years? And, why?
This simple etiquette never crossed my mind. It has nothing to do with sour grapes--just a little--but the agent/editor has already said no. My first rejection I wanted to crawl in a corner in die. Not only that it was a form rejection. My writing didn't grab the editor enough to warrant a genuine response. *sob* The next one I received just kind of ripped my heart out even though by then I was jaded. And then my next query resulted in a sale. Trust me, there were plenty of thank yous to go around with that offer.
The concensus is to not respond for a form. Maybe, respond if there are specific comments, revision requests, or if you have anything else please do send.
What's your take? Has it changed over the years? And, why?
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