Dark Day of Copyediting
08/05/2008 01:31 PM
As many of you know, I've been mired in the copyediting stage for a few weeks. I've spent the bulk of my time rewording phrases, avoiding word repetition and echoes, tinkering with grammar and punctuation and all that stuff. As far as I'm concerned, that's the easy stuff. It's like reaching a fork in the road in a car that doesn't go in reverse. You assess the preferrable direction and hit the accelerator. In the case of a copyedited manuscript, you assess the comment, deliberate whether making the change improves the book, and make the decision. Once the decision is made, you do not go back. In fact, you put it out of your mind and focus on the next fork in the road.
Then came the hard part: The Fact Checking.
This is my first stab at historical fiction and attention to detail is very important. At least it is to me.
The mysterious copyeditors checked many facts for me. When they did, they would put a tiny checkmark above the detail, sometimes scribbling in the margin the source where they confirmed it. Anything they were unable to confirm, they would write "please confirm" in the margin. Now, most of the details I was asked to confirm were easily confirmable. Racing records. Star jockeys. Long defunct hotel and casino names. Location of a railroad station that is no longer there. All that stuff.
Then came one "please confirm" that turned me upside-down.
It was about
Well, it turns out that in 1934
Arrrrggggghhhhhh!!!!!!!
This completely undermines the racing schedule I had carefully planned for the entire novel! I am going to have to go back to page 1 and give this whole book yet another close read from beginning to end to make sure all my dates work out properly and that there are no glaring contradictions! Someone please send me a case of Jolt Cola and some No-Doze!
Theology at age 7
08/04/2008 09:38 PM
My son (age 7): Dad, isn't it true that God is all of our fathers?
Me: I suppose.
My son: And isn't it true that Jesus is his son?
Me: Some people believe that.
My son: Wouldn't that make Jesus my brother?
Me: (wanting to say "go ask your mother.") I suppose...
My son: Then how come he isn't doing half of the chores around here?
Me: Go ask your mother.
Twittered
08/04/2008 04:58 PM
I'm not a hundred percent sold on Twitter. I'm confused as to its usefulness. Actually, I'm confused as to its use. Can someone please tell me what Twitter is for?
And if you are a Twitterer, feel free to come and follow my random thoughts!
Check This Out
08/01/2008 12:44 PM
Some are likely fake, but it's still worth a perusal. If you're interested in a Friday laugh, click here.
Oh, and thanks to Mental Floss for the lead!
Gift Card Hat Trick
07/30/2008 01:00 PM
I love finding money in pockets. Even though I know the money was once mine and simply still is, it's one of the greatest feelings to stick a hand in an old jacket and find a few bucks. In fact, I've been known to stash a few bills in my winter coat at the end of the season in the hopes I'll forget about them and "re-discover" the money the following fall. It never works but a guy can dream, can't he?
Well, imagine my infinite pleasure when I put my hand into the inside pocket of my suit jacket last weekend to find not one, but THREE gift cards. It was the hat trick of pocket treasure. Incidentally, did you know the origins of "hat trick" come from the sport of cricket? Apparently, a bowler was entitled to a free hat if he hit three wickets in three bowls. I have no idea what that means, but there you have it. Don't say you never learn anything new here at Eric Luper's Random Musings.
Anyhow, how's this for an excellent array of found gift cards:
NECESSARY....$87.14
NECESSARIER....$17.14
NECESSARIEST....$44.80
The gods are smiling down upon me. And I am so flush!
