Hi Judy and Meredith. This was a fantastic interview. Even though I'm a mystery/suspense/thriller author, my first love is writing fantasy too. Judy and I could geek out together over the LOVE of unleash creativity in world-building and research. (I think it's fun, no kidding) to research unusual cultures, laws, sports, weapons, societies, flora, fauna, and coming up with religions specific to my world etc and twisting them so they're only slightly recognizable.
I whole heartedly agree about needing editors--but I'd caution everyone to research there as well.
Several years ago, I had hired a copyeditor who wasn't worth the hundreds of dollars I paid her. I picked out mistakes she added to my manuscript and missed ones I did myself. There's nothing you can do about a crappy edit when you hire a freelancer.
Beware of the copyeditors posted on Reedsy, too. DO YOUR research there as well. Just because they claim to be an editor doesn't mean they have the skills to do specific types of editing--like copyediting. I recently researched 75 editors on Reedsy who did my genre. After a weeks' worth of research, I was stunned that only two of the ones I narrowed my choices down to had formal copyediting education. The ones who did were from the UK. I debated about that, but decided if there were problems with payments or the job had not been completed, it would be harder to deal with overseas and I'd heard nightmare stories about trying to get money back through Reedsy, so I kept searching.
Judy, if I had known about your editing services a week ago, I would have definitely looked you up. I LOVE developmental editors. I joined the journey, Judy. I have no doubt I'll enjoy the story.
Thanks so much for taking the time to do this fantastic interview with Meredith. (Who as always is a fun and professional lady to work with.)
I ditto what you say about doing your research on editors. Thanks for sharing your experiences. And do you know, I had NO IDEA that you loved fantasy fiction. How long have we worked together?!?!
You're welcome. You earned it. After I sent my response, I worried that I babbled on too much.
I never told you about my addiction to fantasy writing? Well, I've been so busy with Missing Butterflies, the fantasy series has been on the back burner. I go work on it when I want a mental vacation from my current WIPs.
I looked up our email chain. When we switched from CM to emailing directly it was 12/19/21 and we'd been working together a lot long than that. I'd guess at least 4 years, maybe 5. It's CRAZY how fast time flies!
Thanks for restacking the post, Laurie. I hadn't considered how much of a danger I might be to myself in my internet activity before Judy said that, but it makes so much sense.
What a clear and logical way of looking at writing, Judy. Must be the scientist in you. I learned a lot here. Good luck with your latest, HIDDEN TRAPS OF THE INTERNET ( ;
You're so sweet for asking, Meredith. I will answer to either name, but I chose to write under the pen name Pamela Ruth Meyer because there are so many more famous people with the name Pamela Meyer already on the internet. It's still just a dream to see my name on a traditionally published book someday. Waiting on word from my agent's submissions. Learning from posts like this makes the waiting more fun ( ;
Hi Judy and Meredith. This was a fantastic interview. Even though I'm a mystery/suspense/thriller author, my first love is writing fantasy too. Judy and I could geek out together over the LOVE of unleash creativity in world-building and research. (I think it's fun, no kidding) to research unusual cultures, laws, sports, weapons, societies, flora, fauna, and coming up with religions specific to my world etc and twisting them so they're only slightly recognizable.
I whole heartedly agree about needing editors--but I'd caution everyone to research there as well.
Several years ago, I had hired a copyeditor who wasn't worth the hundreds of dollars I paid her. I picked out mistakes she added to my manuscript and missed ones I did myself. There's nothing you can do about a crappy edit when you hire a freelancer.
Beware of the copyeditors posted on Reedsy, too. DO YOUR research there as well. Just because they claim to be an editor doesn't mean they have the skills to do specific types of editing--like copyediting. I recently researched 75 editors on Reedsy who did my genre. After a weeks' worth of research, I was stunned that only two of the ones I narrowed my choices down to had formal copyediting education. The ones who did were from the UK. I debated about that, but decided if there were problems with payments or the job had not been completed, it would be harder to deal with overseas and I'd heard nightmare stories about trying to get money back through Reedsy, so I kept searching.
Judy, if I had known about your editing services a week ago, I would have definitely looked you up. I LOVE developmental editors. I joined the journey, Judy. I have no doubt I'll enjoy the story.
Thanks so much for taking the time to do this fantastic interview with Meredith. (Who as always is a fun and professional lady to work with.)
Aww, thank you, Kierstin, for the compliment!
I ditto what you say about doing your research on editors. Thanks for sharing your experiences. And do you know, I had NO IDEA that you loved fantasy fiction. How long have we worked together?!?!
You're welcome. You earned it. After I sent my response, I worried that I babbled on too much.
I never told you about my addiction to fantasy writing? Well, I've been so busy with Missing Butterflies, the fantasy series has been on the back burner. I go work on it when I want a mental vacation from my current WIPs.
I looked up our email chain. When we switched from CM to emailing directly it was 12/19/21 and we'd been working together a lot long than that. I'd guess at least 4 years, maybe 5. It's CRAZY how fast time flies!
Terrific interview! And I wholeheartedly agree that the biggest danger on the internet is ourselves.
Thanks for restacking the post, Laurie. I hadn't considered how much of a danger I might be to myself in my internet activity before Judy said that, but it makes so much sense.
What a clear and logical way of looking at writing, Judy. Must be the scientist in you. I learned a lot here. Good luck with your latest, HIDDEN TRAPS OF THE INTERNET ( ;
Thanks for stopping by to comment, Pamela. (Or do you go by Pamela Ruth?)
You're so sweet for asking, Meredith. I will answer to either name, but I chose to write under the pen name Pamela Ruth Meyer because there are so many more famous people with the name Pamela Meyer already on the internet. It's still just a dream to see my name on a traditionally published book someday. Waiting on word from my agent's submissions. Learning from posts like this makes the waiting more fun ( ;