|
8.
AOTW: Who is your "first reader" or "readers" when you finish
your work?
Cat
Bauer: In Venice, it's a problem because not many people read
English. But when I was writing Harley, I workshopped it
with a writers' group in Los Angeles. I was writing about ten chapters
ahead of what I read out loud. The experience of actually hearing
the words helped me polish it, not necessarily the comments that
were offered by the group. I've also got a couple of writer friends
that I really trust. A lot of people ask me what I miss the most
about America, and I'd have to say that --- hanging out with my
writer buddies once a week.
Stephanie
Gertler: My agent reads the manuscript first. I am very fortunate
because Marcy is a great reader, a former editor and librarian,
a lover of books and so honest that I'm on pins and needles until
she gives the stamp of approval. My next readers are three friends
of mine who are close enough to be honest with me even if the honesty
stings for a moment or two.
Michael
Leahey: My wife Lynn, who is the Editor of a large magazine,
is always my first reader. She is a very talented and experienced
editor, which translates into a painfully frank critique. Her judgments
are good and the fact that she likes my work, in spite of her pragmaticism,
has given me more encouragement then any other source.
Sallie
Bissell: I have three friends who are writers, and two friends
who are civilians. Various combinations of these five graciously
read my work. I trust them implicitly and know they improve my work.
Thisbe
Nissen: That changes: it used to be my peers and friends in
Workshop, and my teachers. Now I'm out of the school paradigm and
I rely on the readers I met there and have kept up editorial friendships
with, and increasingly upon my agent and my editor, Jenny Minton,
who has turned out to be the most amazing reader I could have ever
hoped for.
Suzanne
Chazin: My husband was the first reader of my first book, but
for my second, I handed it straight to my agent and editor. I've
built up a lot of trust in them and I think a family member is always
at a disadvantage since they can never completely divest the person
from the work.
NM
Kelby: My husband is my first "reader," but I'm often reading
to him. He has vision problems and can only read for short periods
of time. So, I'll read and he'll tell me what he thinks. He loves
poetry and understands story in an amazing way. It's quite an enjoyable
process.
|
