I hear from Baen that the next novel will be published in October, too late, alas, for worldcon in Chicago which I intend to attend. Maybe the concom will let me do a reading from it
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New editor?ext_5964655February 3 2022, 09:07:05 UTC
New editor who doesn't know your work? And they're trying to get you to dumb it down for new readers? Yikes. I hope they're not trying to "streamline" and take your voice out of it so it sounds more 'accessible' and exactly like dozens of other mainstream novels. I've done editing work on a high fantasy series (as a freelancer, via UpWork) and my biggest concern was keeping the author's voice during the process while still doing my job. I'd hate to see your work (or anybody's, honestly) get flattened that way. I know there's a formula that works and yadda yadda, but the monotony of that same generic voice drives me nuts.
As far as Kendar vs. Highborn berserkers, it could be a Shanir trait (makes sense given the other traits Shanir can have) but it could also be a trait that goes back to before the Three Peoples were even separated and have nothing to do with being Shanir at all. I'm mostly saying that because an Arrin-Ken berserker flare would be super cool. It could be more common in Highborn simply because their population is lower, so the gene has been bred in repeatedly? I dunno, something fun to think about!
Re: New editor?tagmethFebruary 3 2022, 15:20:51 UTC
Hopefully it doesn't get that bad. There are only some of the new editor's suggested revisions I can't accept without rewriting the novel. Its structure has been a problem thoroughout in that, for once, I didn't know where I was going until I got there. Much of it is a prelude to the next, last book and a tying up of as many loose ends as possible while still giving the current work a plot arc of its own.
I'll be nervous until it clears the new editor, though, and I get paid.
Re: New editor?ext_5964655February 4 2022, 02:47:58 UTC
Ah, well it makes even less sense to spend a bunch of time rehashing anything that isn't relevant to what you're wrapping up. You've got years and years of background and lore, you can't be expected to basically summarize the entire series again right at the end. Definitely not easy to tie off a bunch of loose ends during a whole new arc, either. I think a bit of chaos is to be expected, especially with discovery writing. Hopefully the new editor helps the structure fall into place and everything turns out in a way you're happy with!
As far as Kendar vs. Highborn berserkers, it could be a Shanir trait (makes sense given the other traits Shanir can have) but it could also be a trait that goes back to before the Three Peoples were even separated and have nothing to do with being Shanir at all. I'm mostly saying that because an Arrin-Ken berserker flare would be super cool. It could be more common in Highborn simply because their population is lower, so the gene has been bred in repeatedly? I dunno, something fun to think about!
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I'll be nervous until it clears the new editor, though, and I get paid.
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