http://www.youtube.com/v/W6y2yfig4JM
Just for those of you that have missed this. This is a movie trailer for my book DEAD MEN'S DUST
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Editing/re-writing
I've been asked by a number of writers aiming for a publication deal about editing and re-writing. How many times? How much? Does it change or affect the story as I originally envisioned it? Is the book better after all the hard work? Are you sometimes against the changes and can you refuse to do them?
To answer all these would be a book in itself, but let it just be said that re-writing can only make the book better. Editors are editors for the very reason that they know what works and what doesn't. They know what sells. To ignore an editor's advice is detrimental to the books success, and if that means re-writing and re-envisioning your work then so be it. There will be people who disagree with my sentiment - which is fine - because we all have moments of selfishness where we want to keep the book all to ourselves (me as much as anyone). The problem with that is that it won't sell.
I've just had feedback from my editor on book 3. I'm going to be doing a re-write. It's going to have a huge impact on the book, but I can't find anything that I disagree with. In fact, the suggestions will make the book bigger and better, and will make the ongoing story arch so much stronger and offer further story lines in the future. So what if I have to write a further 30,000 - 40,000 words: that's what I do.
When the book comes out, you won't know how it originally stood. I'll have the memories, so I can pander to my selfish side as often as I want to.
Matt
To answer all these would be a book in itself, but let it just be said that re-writing can only make the book better. Editors are editors for the very reason that they know what works and what doesn't. They know what sells. To ignore an editor's advice is detrimental to the books success, and if that means re-writing and re-envisioning your work then so be it. There will be people who disagree with my sentiment - which is fine - because we all have moments of selfishness where we want to keep the book all to ourselves (me as much as anyone). The problem with that is that it won't sell.
I've just had feedback from my editor on book 3. I'm going to be doing a re-write. It's going to have a huge impact on the book, but I can't find anything that I disagree with. In fact, the suggestions will make the book bigger and better, and will make the ongoing story arch so much stronger and offer further story lines in the future. So what if I have to write a further 30,000 - 40,000 words: that's what I do.
When the book comes out, you won't know how it originally stood. I'll have the memories, so I can pander to my selfish side as often as I want to.
Matt
Monday, 27 October 2008
Stablemate success
I would like to raise a glass - figuratively speaking, at least - to my LBA stablemate, David Young who has just got a great deal via Transworld publishers for a 3 book deal. His first book featuring the irrepressible Sean Lock - Lockdown - is due for release in Summer 2009.
Well done to both David and to Luigi.
Anyone else submitting their MSS to agents/publishers take faith in these kind of successes - it goes to prove that it can happen to you.
Keep on keeping on
Matt
Well done to both David and to Luigi.
Anyone else submitting their MSS to agents/publishers take faith in these kind of successes - it goes to prove that it can happen to you.
Keep on keeping on
Matt
Another place you can pre-order Dead Men's Dust
www.whsmith.co.uk is another place that you can pre-order Dead Men's Dust. As always, I am not advocating one outlet over another, just adding to your options.
Greek Fire
Anyone with a love for espionage/spy/thrillers - especially if you enjoy a solid dose of conspiracy theories thrown into the mix - should take a look at the short story Greek Fire by Jim Hilton at his website at www.jimhilton.co.uk . I couldn't help but think that Jim is perhaps on to something here.
Jim is a writer who straddles a number of genres: crime, horror, sci-fi, whimsical, historical, so there's something there for everyone. Please let me know what you thought via the comments tab and I'll pass your comments on to Jim.
Matt
Jim is a writer who straddles a number of genres: crime, horror, sci-fi, whimsical, historical, so there's something there for everyone. Please let me know what you thought via the comments tab and I'll pass your comments on to Jim.
Matt
Great to meet you Adrian
While I was in Baltimore I met a great writer and thoroughly nice guy in the shape of Adrain Magson. Adrian might be familiar to some of you as a collumnist with Writing Magazine. Adrian writes a debut authors article for WM. Also, Adrian writes an invaluable guide for beginner writers and anyone wishing to pursue writing as a career/vocation should look up Adrian's articles. Adrian is also a crime writer in his own respect and has a series of books out from Creme de la Crime books.
This is what one of his critics said:
'NO KISS FOR THE DEVIL' - "Magson is a gem of a writer... (he) has a unique and wonderful voice and his characters are unforgettable."
CRIMESPREE MAGAZINE (US)
I'd advise anyone to take a look at Adrian's work, and also at his website.
www.adrianmagson.com
This is what one of his critics said:
'NO KISS FOR THE DEVIL' - "Magson is a gem of a writer... (he) has a unique and wonderful voice and his characters are unforgettable."
CRIMESPREE MAGAZINE (US)
I'd advise anyone to take a look at Adrian's work, and also at his website.
www.adrianmagson.com
Sunday, 26 October 2008
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