Hey #RevPit! I’m ready for my #AskEditor session. Ask your burning questions, and I’ll reply in the thread. P.S. Even though I’m an editor, I rarely proof read my posts. Oops. So, there’s a 99 percent chance typos will happen. 💜 - ThreadSky

demimschwartz.bsky.social • 17 days ago

Hey #RevPit! I’m ready for my #AskEditor session. Ask your burning questions, and I’ll reply in the thread.
P.S. Even though I’m an editor, I rarely proof read my posts. Oops. So, there’s a 99 percent chance typos will happen. 💜

Comments

rllynn.bsky.social•17 days ago

Hi there, Demi! Just wanted to ask, when you are choosing what to edit, would you prefer a story that absolutely grabs you but maybe has a lot of editorial needs or a story that isn't quite as much to your liking, but already fairly polished? Assuming you had to choose one or the other? :)

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

Ooh. Good one. I would definitely choose the one I absolutely love that needs more work. Feeling passionate about a project in a contest like #RevPit is important. #AskEditor

erinburd.bsky.social•17 days ago

Hey Demi. Thanks for your time and expertise. How do you balance character courting (getting to know the character) and action on the first five pages?

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

Great question. This is where showing vs telling and voice come in. Rather than stopping the flow to tell the reader about your character, let their personality come out through how they speak, what they think, how they feel, etc, while an active scene is happening. #RevPit #AskEditor

laurajordanwrites.bsky.social•17 days ago

Hi Demi! When you give feedback (the 1000 plus comments you mention lol), are some of those comments positive passes, like "way to go this is awesome?" How prescriptive do you like your feedback to be? Thank you :D

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

Oh absolutely. Some of those are positive notes. Others are OMG I CAN’T BELIEVE YOUR MC DID THIS, or I’M ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT RN! I’m suuuper detailed, so I’ll leave comments on tiny things. I’m very spontaneous, so you’ll get very real-time feedback. #RevPit #AskEditor

rammwriter.bsky.social•17 days ago

I love it too!

laurajordanwrites.bsky.social•17 days ago

Ooh love it 🥰

laurajordanwrites.bsky.social•17 days ago

And one more question I'm going to sneak in ... as a writer, how did you find your genre? Was it similar to your musical prowess? Did you just gravitate toward something or was it like a beginning of Grease situation and tried and failed a bunch of things first? Thanks again!

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

Ooh, interesting question. Growing up, I devoured YA thrillers, so I knew I wanted to write that. Fantasy came from reading crit partners’ work in my MFA program. I write lots of genres for short stories, and that’s also a way to try new things and see what feels right #RevPit #AskEditor

laurajordanwrites.bsky.social•17 days ago

Like submitting to anthologies 👀

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

Oh gosh. Don’t get me started. I won’t stop. If you guys want an anthology thread during #RevPitWaiting, let me know, and I’ll do one. #RevPit #AskEditor

laurajordanwrites.bsky.social•17 days ago

Yessss!! Because apparently I’m going to convince my brain to write about death and butterflies this month already 😆

ehkell.bsky.social•17 days ago

Hi Demi! Thanks for taking the time! 1) As an editor how do you approach a new MS? Read it all in one go and let it sit for a while, or dive in with notes right away, etc.? 2) what’s a recent book you read that you felt was edited *perfectly*?

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

1. I edit as I read for sure. This gives my clients a very immediate glimpse into what was going on in my brain and how an agent might think reading. The real-time approach helps me really point out areas that jump out and need tweaked. 1/2 #RevPit #AskEditor

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

2. Hmm, I don’t think I can answer this. Is any book perfect? I don’t think so. Even when I’m reading books published by big five pub houses, I sometimes struggle to turn my editor brain off. It’s so subjective that I don’t think it’s possible to have a perfectly edited book. #RevPit #AskEditor

ehkell.bsky.social•17 days ago

Putting yourself in the shoes of an agent reading the MS sounds like a great way to give constructive feedback and help your authors understand how their MS would be perceived. Thank you! ❤️

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

You’re welcome. And yes, I have learned a lot during my internship at Purcell. It has definitely helped sharpen my mind as an editor. #RevPit #AskEditor

lennonfaris.bsky.social•17 days ago

Hi Demi! Thank you so much for your time. I was wondering if as an editor you think that 'voice' is something that can be learned or honed? Or does it have more to do with the personality of the author, speaking through the characters? Thank you!

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

Great question. I’m going to answer in two posts. First, it can 100 percent be learned and developed with practice. When I first started writing, my voice was abysmal, but that’s just because I was new. With each ms, I found my voice more. 1/2 #RevPit #AskEditor

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

Also, I think of voice as the character’s personality blended with authorial style. If you pick up 2 books by the same author, you’ll see similarities in the narrative, but differences based on the MC. 2/2 #RevPit #AskEditor

lennonfaris.bsky.social•17 days ago

Awesome. Thank you!!

viola-grace.bsky.social•17 days ago

Hi Demi!!! As an editor what is the biggest distinction between a manuscript that is ready but needs tweaks vs a manuscript that isn’t ready? Sometimes I feel like I could edit forever haha

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

Do any of us know? Haha. You should see me with my own manuscripts. For me, once I get lots of feedback, and the notes are less of issues and more of just people’s opinions, then I know it’s pretty much ready. #RevPit #AskEditor

lsullivanwrites.bsky.social•17 days ago

Thanks for taking the time! How do you approach doing developmental edits? Do you do multiple passes looking for different things, or do you try to hit everything in one swoop?

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

Great question. With my own work, I start by making myself a revision plan. Basically, I put together a document of the big picture things I need to fix. Personally, my brain works in chapters, so I go in order and don’t jump around. 1/2 #RevPit #AskEditor

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

In the chapter, I work large scale to small scale. For example, if I need to cut/add/move a scene, I do that first, so everything is in its right place, then I’ll do multiple passes for different things. So, I go in order with chapters but do multiple passes. #RevPit #AskEditor

lsullivanwrites.bsky.social•17 days ago

That is reassuringly similar to the process I have used on my work so I’ll take that as a sign I’m on the right track. Thanks!

hgoodewrites.bsky.social•17 days ago

Hey Demi! Do you perfer character driven stories or plot driven? What's your favorite troupes?

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

1. When it comes to character driven or plot driven, for me, they’re so intertwined, that I feel a story needs to have both a strong character and plot. What I will say is that I need to connect to the character through their voice to feel invested in the plot. #RevPit #AskEditor

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

2. As for tropes, I love found family, friends to lovers in romance subplots, and fresh takes on the chosen one. #RevPit #AskEditor

abananna.bsky.social•17 days ago

Hiya Demi! TY for answering questions. Does a manuscript's future marketability factor into your decision-making at all or is it more about which story sparks passion?

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

Definitely which story sparks passion. I’m an editor, not a psychic. ;) I have no clue what is going to be popular in the future. Heck, tomorrow, the whole world could suddenly not want fantasy anymore. #RevPit #AskEditor

abananna.bsky.social•17 days ago

I hear different things about what's trending or what's 'marketable' every day so I'm glad it's just love of the story that's driving your decision! I'd really be out of luck if the whole world decided it hated fantasy tomorrow (knock on wood) thank you again for the insight!!

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

You’re welcome. Also, the world would be a sad place if everyone started hating fantasy!

anais-garnett.bsky.social•17 days ago

Hi Demi! Tysm for taking the time to answer our questions, and I'm pleased to be team amethyst 💜💎😆 I was wondering, what are some things you have learned as a literary agent intern?

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

Yay, Team Amethyst! 💜💎 I’ve learned a lot, but I want to note 2 things. Opening pages are so, so key. When reading queries, it was so easy to tell right away which were ready and which weren’t. Don’t give an agent a reason to stop. 1/2 #RevPit #AskEditor

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

The second thing is that it’s as subjective as you think. I read queries I was drooling over and wanted to request fulls right away, but the agent I’m assisting didn’t resonate and wanted to pass. All you can do is put your best work forward and hope it connects. 2/2 #RevPit #AskEditor

anais-garnett.bsky.social•17 days ago

Thank you for your answer! I thought it might all ride on those first pages 😭 Are there any mistakes you've found authors make a lot in those first pages?

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

You’re welcome. Also, yes. Way too much telling. One page one, we want to be immersed in a scene, not told about something that already happened or will happen. #RevPit #AskEditor

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

*on page one. Here we go with the typos.

anais-garnett.bsky.social•17 days ago

Good to know, tysm! 💜💎

katevwrites.bsky.social•17 days ago

Hi Demi! A. What’s your favorite butterfly? B. What are your favorite self-editing/craft books? Thanks!

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

Hi! Okay, A, the Monarch, obviously. I know. I’m basic. B, my all-time fave is Writing the Intimate Character by Jordan Rosenfeld. Other great ones I read are A Writer’s Guide to Active Setting and the GMC one by Debra Dixon. If I butchered a spelling, SORRY! #RevPit #AskEditor

katevwrites.bsky.social•17 days ago

Ooooh I haven’t read any of those! Thank you!!!
I love monarchs! I always loved blue morphos too, which I suppose is also on the basic butterfly side? But they’re both classics for a reason. 🦋

rhall64.bsky.social•17 days ago

Hi Demi! I’m not sure there will be a consistent trend here, but I’ll ask anyway. In your experience, does the average word count go up or down when line editing a debut writer’s manuscript?

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

Interesting question. When editing my own work, my word count always drops when line editing because I really tighten things. When editing for others, I often cut a lot of extra things. So, more commonly down then up, in my experience. #RevPit #AskEditor
P.S. I’m the queen of cutting words.

kyleenwren.bsky.social•17 days ago

And we over writers love you for it 😅

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

Hahaha. I’ll always have the word count scissors.

authorjennaredd.bsky.social•17 days ago

I need a little word cutting in my life. 🤣🙌

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

Don’t we all! I got one of my books from over 110k to 74k. This was the second book I wrote, and I revised that an embarrassing amount of times.

rhall64.bsky.social•17 days ago

cutting words is always a good thing. Thanks!

qziontgipson.bsky.social•17 days ago

Thank you for participating, Demi! What is the number one thing(s) that will take you out of a manuscript—not only as an editor, but as a reader?

demimschwartz.bsky.social•17 days ago

For me, unpolished prose takes me out the most. When a manuscript has a lot of spelling errors, grammatical errors, and/or reads choppy, that can distract me from the story. I’m never looking for perfection, but clean prose allows for a smoother reading and editing experience. #RevPit #AskEditor

qziontgipson.bsky.social•17 days ago

That’s very understandable. Thank you!

prahajess.bsky.social•16 days ago

Hi Demi-- Team Amethyst woohoo! I am in Europe and missed the main question time, but learned so much from other people's questions. Here's one just out of idle curiosity: Do you remember the first MS you edited?

demimschwartz.bsky.social•16 days ago

Hi! Yay, Team Amethyst. 💎💜 Love this Q. My first official Amethyst Ink ms was a women’s fiction. If I’m remembering right, the first full ms I edited for a friend after school was a YA dystopian fantasy, which now has a pub deal with Harper UK. 🤍 #RevPit #AskEditor

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