#editortips for 07.11.12

@smoulderingsea: When querying, don't say you're willing to revise. Revision is a given. Saying you're willing reads like grudging concession. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: When you take a very specific premise from a published book, change one thing, and sub to that book's publisher...we notice. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: If you get an offer somewhere else, it's courtesy to let other agents or editors who have your manuscript know. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: Be careful when asked to read another author's work. People can & will make accusations if a similar theme appears in your book. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: In drafts, it's okay to abbreviate things like "His Royal Highness" to "HRH" if you type it a lot--but spell it out in edits. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: There are very few situations where it's appropriate to use ampersands in a novel. "And" is only two more characters. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: Your query should get right to the point. The hero's backstory and favorite food don't matter. Tell me what the story's about. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: Length of time to rejection often means less than you think. It usually has more to do with busy schedules than with you. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: That tweet you just saw while obsessively stalking an agent or editor? Not about your manuscript. Stop. Freaking. Out. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: Oh--and that thing I just did there, with the emphatic one-word sentences? Doesn't work as well in a manuscript as on Twitter. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: If you have requests out, be prepared for The Call. Make a list of questions to ensure you understand the proposed relationship. #editortips**

@smoulderingsea: Those pieces of yourself that you put into your writing make it real. Don't be ashamed of who you are. Build it into your story. #editortips

**Several people asked what those questions should be. Since it's too much to explain in 140 characters and someone else already blogged it better, here.

About #editortips:
#editortips is a daily rash of tweets from an only partially crazy editor, chock full of random chocolatey morsels about writing, editing, and querying vaguely disguised as helpful pointers and/or really bad humor. I tweet as @smoulderingsea, and try to post with some consistency every weekday at 6PM CST. Weekends optional, depending on if I’m spending yet another Saturday night editing because my social life consists of Netflix and plotting diabolical things involving pipe cleaners, napalm, and a goat.