Comment Moderation- ON

Since someone decided that sharing private email conversations in a blog comment was acceptable, instead of emailing me directly-

All Comments Are Now Moderated.

And to that person, you were a part of the FB thing- but don't be so vain. Someone else lit the fuse first- their profile is NOT private, hun.

Comments on that post are now locked and hidden. If you can't play nice, build your own blog to play on.

Everyone who commented before- the comments are still in place and I appreciate your candor.

Why I'm De-friending You On FaceBook

I don't often speak about politics here on my blog. I have close friends that hold dear their views and belong to every party we have here in the United States.

But when people I formerly cared about begin slapping me in the face on my social networking sites with stabs at our President or going on about issues which directly impact my family- yeah, I am going to post.

So here goes.

I don't care what party you are affiliated with. Blatant disrespect of our President shows a disrespect for our country. Our President is the political head of our entire country- sharing comments on how he should be sent back to Africa, assassinated or ape jokes is not cool. It does not make you look smart. These actions make you appear to be ignorant, unintelligent and compounds the idea in other countries that our country is full of idiots.

Maybe you do not care what others think of the United States. Some of us do. There are those of us that wish to be included in the global economy. We wish to share the friendship of people that live elsewhere, all without needing to say in every conversation- “Yes, but I am not that type of American.”

I did not agree with nor support President Bush (Jr) in every way. He still has my respect. The man took on a colossal job and did well on some points- not so well on others. It is not my place to make fun of him or call him out for actions he took in office. Why does President Obama deserve less respect?

The answer is: He does not.

Every party has their opinion. Every person has their own beliefs. What we have is a lack of respect and to be honest- really horrible upbringing. As a country we collectively have been allowed to run rampant without a responsible individual(s) standing up to us and saying “Look, that is not acceptable. We do not use that type of language here. Play nice.”

Yes, we are guaranteed the right to Free Speech. I thank God every day that I live in a country where I can say what is on my mind. But- and there is always a but- just because something is in my mind does not mean I have to say it. So many soldiers sacrificed themselves, both through giving their time and their lives- to give me the right to say what I wish without being stifled.

Does that mean I should use that right to make myself into an ass or hurt others? Think about that the next time you choose to publish your views on FaceBook, Twitter or elsewhere. Your words have impact, even the most intellectually challenged words you spout.

Which means, Dear Former FB/Twitter/Whatever Friend, we will not be viewing each other's posts any longer. Goodbye.

(Readers, feel free to copy and distribute. Please link to me and acknowledge my authorship.)

Writer In Need

I've set up a chipin event before and my friends and readers came through. I'm doing again for a writer friend that is in desperate need.

She is a single mom about to lose her home. We all know that work is slow to come for some of us- I want to pull together every writer friend I have to help her stay afloat. This amount will help pay her rent and repair her vehicle. PLEASE consider helping.

I am keeping her name hidden, if she chooses to comment and share who she is, that is her choice. Before you wonder about that- imagine how you would feel in her shoes. I've been there, that's why this writer is getting every ounce of work I can throw into this. Feel free to share this Chipin on your blog or website, every post counts.

Remember-in freelancing there may be no safety net for some.

Goodbye, freelancing.

Many of my friends know that I have moved away from non-fiction. While I enjoyed working with those of you, my time in freelancing is coming to an end. Some of you I have worked with as an editor, a ghostwriter, a reviewer, or content provider.

I have learned a lot from my friends and I thank each and every one of you that encouraged me to take the leap from fiction into non-fiction years ago. Can you believe that some of you I met in the beginning of 2006? A simple visit into a freelance forum started my journey and created friendships that I hope last a lifetime.

We've shared a lot of laughs, many rejections and tips that ultimately led to acceptances we could use to bolster our careers. After several years of this, my heart still returns to fiction. While writing on health I would dream of my Jasper...his trip through the darkness overshadowing bullet points. During articles on pregnancy plots for vampires and werewolves would caress the nape of my neck with their talons.

Often I would add the tagline to my bios: Julie Fletcher is a freelance writer by day that writes blood soaked horror in the depths of night.

My weakness, my desire and my true love has always been and always will be fiction.

Most of you are aware that I have taken a position with Keith Publications as an editor. -(Thank you to Mary for offering me this!)- I am in love with their (our!) ideals and the staff is amazing. Open to ideas and full of encouragement for the authors contracted. Ready to take on new authors and their worlds.

A few of you have stated that fiction is my element. I believe that, too. I also believe in those of you that are writing fiction and chasing your dream. Those of you that are still writing non-fiction and wish to share your knowledge with others. I want to be part of the process that helps you find your audience. I want to be there for you and bring you to the next level in your career.

No matter what, I'll always be here to be your cheerleader. I want to share the Editor's Creed with you (it is posted below this post) and I hope that when we work together in the future, you'll always refer back to it and know- I am your biggest fan.

Sincerely,
Julie

Editor's Creed

The Editor's Creed
1. I’m not here to be your fan, but I will be your first fan the day your story is published. I am here to see the flaws in your submitted work. It’s my job. Author, try to understand this when you get back your first revision, your second, or any of them. Flaws hurt and create upset, but it’s not about hurting and upsetting you. It’s about fixing a story. If I’m honest, if I’m any good at my job, you’re going to hear about the flaws in your story. There’s no getting around this.

I’ll try saying things as politely as I can, but I must say the truth. Author, try to remember blunt does not mean I want to hurt your feelings. Blunt merely means I’m working as hard as I can while being honest about what I see. I will not waste time writing advice full of apologies for doing so. Expect honesty from me. Expect directness. I do not go out of my way to attack you, the human being, when I make a request, say a character isn’t sympathetic, give you a suggestion, tell you more than once to fix the same flaw. This is about getting a story edited and that is all.

2. My tools of the trade are words and grammar. Definitions, usage, punctuation, POV. I require knowledge of all these things and a skill for seeing the difference between a style choice and bad writing. Author: I will do my best to explain why something is bad writing. Please listen. I’m not here to change your style, but if I point something out, calmly look at your manuscript again and check for what I discussed. What if I’m right? You’re the one who must live with the end results of your revisions. The editing process, a real editing process, can result in growth for an author. Try to welcome it.

3. Author, your tools of the trade are words and grammar. Definitions, usage, punctuation, POV. I expect you to use these properly. If I discover you require relearning the rules for any of them, I’m going to say so. I will insist that you learn to use them properly. Only when you truly understand the rules can you work the tools of your trade in a manner that defies the rules. When you reach that point, I will smile as I read your work, because I will admire that you arrived at that pinnacle.

4. Revision work is not my work. It’s the author’s. My work is looking for flaws. Flaws are misuse of the tools of the trade, misleading or unclear writing, mistakes in the plot, characters that aren’t believable, poor story flow. Once I find these and point them out to the author, the author is the one that must do the work of patching, covering up, weeding, replacing. If I do the revisions for the author, it’s unfair to me. It’s unfair to the author. It’s unfair to every other author waiting for me to spend time on their story.

It’s not my story. Author, the story belongs to you. Take pride in being professional and do your revisions. Don’t expect me to fix the story for you.

5. Editing isn’t about my vision of a story. It’s about the author’s. Author, remember that when I make suggestions, they are suggestions. The story is yours. The characters are yours. Tell me how you see your characters and your story, and I’ll do my best to help you meet your vision.

6. Editing is about teamwork. I am a human being. I am like you. I make mistakes. I don’t know everything. I miss things. I sometimes need things pointed out. Author, I won’t take offence if you teach me something new, offer me a different way to view an idea, send me a link that shows you did your homework, or highlight a paragraph I may have missed that backs up the plot twist a few pages later in your story. Teamwork is about listening to each other. I listen.

7. I have a standard to live by as well. So does my publishing house. Author, remember that when you decide you disagree with my advice. People will know who edited your story, and if it leaves my hands in bad shape, shame on me. And that’s why I’ll insist on logic when we discuss fixes. Logic trumps opinion. I’ll insist you explain your reasons so I can understand them, but if those reasons don’t make sense, I’m going to say so.

Author, if you have a good reason, I’ll see it and agree. Author, if you don’t have a good reason, I’ll keep showing you why it isn’t good. If we come to an impasse, I can consult other editors belonging to my publishing house. If they agree with you, I don’t mind.

Remember: I’m a human being. I don’t expect to be perfect, but I do expect you to treat me fairly and to remember we are discussing a point about a story, not arguing to hurt each other personally.

Author, I will do my utmost to be fair to your perspective. I promise. But I won’t lower my standards. Expect to work and work hard. I want to see a story published that we can both be proud of.

Copyright K.M. Frontain, 28 August 2007
Permission to reprint granted to all