Son of Stupid for the Sake of Plot

Sending off an edit with a rather scathing side letter to the managing editor, which ends: "These are not dumb people, not the heroes (n)or the bad guy. So having them do dumb things is an insult to them, and to the readers."

Also, if the author used one more heat metaphor, I was going to hunt him/her down and slap him/her with an ice pack.

Children, gather round and listen to the aged and weary editor: "heated core" and anything molten should be used sparingly, if at all, when writing sex scenes. It's nowhere near as enticing as you might think. When in doubt, read the scene out loud. In front of someone. If they start to crack up (or you do) it's time to rethink things.

(I tend to go through my manuscript and highlight euphemisms and metaphors with different colored inks, so I can see how badly I've gone astray, and fix it before anyone finds out)


My desk is now covered with crumpled post-its. The cats are looking at them longingly. Their favorite part of this job is when the manuscript is sent back (no more being yelled at to get off the pile o' papers) and there are yellow crumpled bits of paper to chase around.

(tosses them to the floor and watches Boomer go berserk)

I Resemble that Remark....

When people are made to think quickly, they report feeling happier as a result. They also say they are more energetic, more creative, more powerful, and more self-assured. In short, they reported a whole set of experiences associated with being "manic."

Link courtesy of rachaelcaine


and, from the New York Times, an article on being a Strong Drink Woman in a male bartender's world...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/27/dining/27feed.html?_r=1&8dpc&oref=slogin

"IT’S been going on for years, actually. When I was in college and went out with my oversize football player boyfriend, we’d order drinks, and every time I’d be served the frosty piña colada with the pink paper umbrella that he’d ordered, and he’d be served the tough-guy Scotch-rocks that was mine..."

When Writers Get Punchy On Deadlines...

eeknight, rachelcaine and I get jiggy with the crossovers...

http://eeknight.livejournal.com/195175.html?thread=542567#t542567