tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post3726098565497086596..comments2024-03-29T09:03:34.140-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: What We're Writing Week: Christmas in July @LucyBurdetteJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-14536420719488981692014-07-24T20:47:44.780-04:002014-07-24T20:47:44.780-04:00Storyteller Mary--you sound like a GEM of a reader...Storyteller Mary--you sound like a GEM of a reader!!Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46901382137991098412014-07-24T17:49:05.772-04:002014-07-24T17:49:05.772-04:00This looks like such fun! I can hardly wait!
. ....This looks like such fun! I can hardly wait!<br /> . . . and while the nitty-gritty editing isn't fun, this reader thanks you for doing it. <br />Any time I help edit something, I remind the author that my suggestions are just that, and can be over-ruled by the one whose creative energy and name are in and on the work. When reading something pre-publication, I'll read more slowly and carefully and take notes IF there's still time to make changes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-36034579818938734772014-07-24T13:45:03.570-04:002014-07-24T13:45:03.570-04:00Kathy, yes! you should be a copy editor.
Ellen, o...Kathy, yes! you should be a copy editor.<br /><br />Ellen, one found mistake is worth a lot of pain, isn't it?Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-29583045353254925682014-07-24T13:18:15.374-04:002014-07-24T13:18:15.374-04:00I will just say that for my prize winning hardcove...I will just say that for my prize winning hardcover, I agreed with 90% of my EDITOR's suggestions and 10% of my COPY editor's suggestions-- but among the latter was a misuse that both my editor and I missed, and I am forever grateful for that catch. Ellen Kozaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-1038177478844752212014-07-24T13:07:31.978-04:002014-07-24T13:07:31.978-04:00Oh, and some, like the Associate Press, do capital...Oh, and some, like the Associate Press, do capitalize prepositions and conjunctions that are four or more letters long. Again, I'm interested in what you professional writers think about it.Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-69113229267832015952014-07-24T13:03:37.468-04:002014-07-24T13:03:37.468-04:00Everyone who loves to read should be reading these...Everyone who loves to read should be reading these posts this week on the stages of writing and publishing a book. The amount of detail that you authors have to get right is amazing and rather daunting. Lucy, I had no idea that brunette/brunet had the two spellings and uses. <br /><br />Christmas in July? I wouldn't mind it too much. I love the lights and festive feelings. And, actual Christmas in Key West? I've done that, and it was as much fun as Christmas in paradise should be. We all ate out at an upscale restaurant for Christmas Eve, and for Christmas Day, we (well, the griller) fixed cobia caught that morning by some of our party. Heavenly!<br /><br />Lucy, I am so excited about Death With All the Trimmings. Haley and her mother spending it together in Key West should be unpredictably fun. And, I so agree with Denise Ann that the cover is gorgeous and so inviting. The preview was much appreciated and enjoyed.<br /><br />OK. Something came up while I was typing my comments for which a copy editor would have come in handy. In writing/typing titles of books, I was taught the basic, traditional method of rules that depend on what part of speech the word is determines whether it is capitalized or not. The rules being: <br /> "Capitalize the first and last word in a title, regardless of part of speech<br /> Capitalize all nouns (baby, country, picture), pronouns (you, she, it), verbs (walk, think, dream), adjectives (sweet, large, perfect), adverbs (immediately, quietly), and subordinating conjunctions (as, because, although)<br /> Lowercase “to” as part of an infinitive<br /> Lowercase all articles (a, the), prepositions (to, at, in, with), and coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or)"<br /><br />However, in the title of your new book, Lucy, it just looked strange to me to not capitalize the preposition "with" in the title. It would have looked like this: Death with All the Trimmings. So, I went against my years of training and capitalized the "with." While not many people spend time worrying with this issue, I actually find it rather fascinating. Maybe I should be a copy editor. Hahaha! Anyone else have thoughts on the title capitalization rules?<br /><br /> Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-80947324934107748742014-07-24T12:39:15.398-04:002014-07-24T12:39:15.398-04:00My kids got "Christmas in July" at camp ...My kids got "Christmas in July" at camp every year, too. I do something similar to Hank's trick to keep me in season (usually snowy and cold!) while writing: I have pictures of wintery scenery, storms, etc. They can help put me in the mood.<br /><br />Copy edits aren't fun, but I have a wonderful copy editor, the same one I've had for the past three or four books. She understands my writing style, which cuts down on my STETs enormously.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-59135853951165510922014-07-24T12:37:48.632-04:002014-07-24T12:37:48.632-04:00Having spent years working in retail, I'm used...Having spent years working in retail, I'm used to Christmas coming a bit early. But for me personally? It starts after Thanksgiving. One holiday at a time! <br /><br />I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way about commas and hyphens!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07754229648422848542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-68380876115209841212014-07-24T11:52:24.615-04:002014-07-24T11:52:24.615-04:00Oops that was me again. Can't write and talk a...Oops that was me again. Can't write and talk at the same time. Pat Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-72442793879649567532014-07-24T11:49:48.741-04:002014-07-24T11:49:48.741-04:00Just read that in and out business. Sounded weird....Just read that in and out business. Sounded weird.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-68558391509999348242014-07-24T11:45:40.059-04:002014-07-24T11:45:40.059-04:00Lucy/Roberta, that snippet from your book drew me ...Lucy/Roberta, that snippet from your book drew me in. Can't wait for it to be out. As for Christmas in July, noooooooooooo.Pat Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-19845124698532133762014-07-24T11:11:39.159-04:002014-07-24T11:11:39.159-04:00Trust me, Lucy, my notebook is anything but organi...Trust me, Lucy, my notebook is anything but organized. It's a lot of scrawl. But it does the trick when I'm writing in one season and need a nudge to find my way into another one for my fictional characters!Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15354719566758459929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-69885214888393941252014-07-24T11:07:39.273-04:002014-07-24T11:07:39.273-04:00Grandma Cootie, you are truly a fool for Christmas...Grandma Cootie, you are truly a fool for Christmas--so cute!Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-43001688880964869352014-07-24T11:06:39.883-04:002014-07-24T11:06:39.883-04:00Kim, the notebook idea is soooo clever! I don'...Kim, the notebook idea is soooo clever! I don't think I'm organized enough to do it though...<br /><br />Mary said: "fold not stir," who knew copy-editors were foodies too?<br /> <br /><br />that's exactly what I thought!!Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-31719621545880396352014-07-24T11:06:18.032-04:002014-07-24T11:06:18.032-04:00I'm sure the nit-picking would drive me crazy....I'm sure the nit-picking would drive me crazy. And not sure that all of the suggested changes would improve your writing. But I love this excerpt and can't wait to meet Haley again.<br /><br />I enjoy Christmas in July. Not the commercial or even the traditional aspects of it, but because I love Christmas decorations, movies, stories and even listening to the Christmas-themed radio shows on Classic Radio. So when my family looks at me funny because I am watching "White Christmas" yet again, I just say "Duh - it's Christmas in July."Grandma Cootiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10709540756822695170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-75441410397676704962014-07-24T10:49:58.946-04:002014-07-24T10:49:58.946-04:00My best friend gave us a Christmas tree as a weddi...My best friend gave us a Christmas tree as a wedding present. She wanted to do "something different." And my aunt made a tree skirt. We still have them 18 years later.<br /><br />As much as I love Christmas though, I don't do it in July. Of course, both of my kids have July birthdays so I'm a bit busy.<br /><br />Love the copy edits - "fold not stir," who knew copy-editors were foodies too? I do freelance copy editing myself though and clients are always so grateful when I find that one, nitpicky mistake that keeps them from being totally embarrassed. Loved the flag/country mixup too, as well as how you folded it in. =)Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-6061024111227386312014-07-24T10:47:32.854-04:002014-07-24T10:47:32.854-04:00Great essay, Lucy! It's interesting to read ab...Great essay, Lucy! It's interesting to read about each part of the process - from Hallie's beginnings to your satisfaction in being able to read your novel before it goes to press. The copy edits stage is such an exciting time, because you know the heavy lifting is done. Of course, it is then followed by another one of those new beginnings :) Congratulations on wrapping this one up. And as for Christmas in July - since I'm enduring Arizona heat right now, it sounds pretty nice! <br /><br />Seriously, I keep a notebook, and every day I write down the date and different observations about the weather. That way, if I'm writing about June in December, I can thumb back through my notebook and find some inspiration for the color of the air, the heat (or lack thereof) and other aspects of the season.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15354719566758459929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-15999364505727982322014-07-24T10:29:59.161-04:002014-07-24T10:29:59.161-04:00Debs, yes definitely weird to be writing in a diff...Debs, yes definitely weird to be writing in a different season. Luckily much of the draft was hammered out last winter, when I was in Key West over the holidays. But I know you realize this second challenge--writing about a place where you are not located? For example, how do you write about London, when you're in Texas?<br /><br />I often remember Hank saying she puts a little post-it on her computer saying "It's cold and snowing"--so she stays in the right season:)<br /><br />It's coming out December 2--thanks for asking!!Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-31870785644697718892014-07-24T10:16:42.057-04:002014-07-24T10:16:42.057-04:00Lucy, isn't it hard writing books set in a dif...Lucy, isn't it hard writing books set in a different season? Unless, of course, you're one of those people (looking at you, Rhys!) who writes so fast that they can finish a book in the season in which it's set. (Did that make sense?)<br /><br />My next book is set in May, and I'm sure I will be madly typing in the deep mid-winter. But it seems to me that Christmas would be a special challenge.<br /><br />Is the book coming out just before Christmas? You know I eagerly await!!!Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16252985597460956472014-07-24T10:16:21.242-04:002014-07-24T10:16:21.242-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-12045235268165639822014-07-24T09:42:31.864-04:002014-07-24T09:42:31.864-04:00Connie, you're totally right! I'm whining:...Connie, you're totally right! I'm whining:)<br /><br />And by the way, I'm pretty sure you'll be in this same space soon...Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-82837145935104593662014-07-24T09:01:39.552-04:002014-07-24T09:01:39.552-04:00Just keep reminding yourself that you've got a...Just keep reminding yourself that you've got a book coming out. Wouldn't I love to be in your shoes and dealing with nitpick edits! #impressed #tinybitjealousConnie Berryhttp://www.connieberry.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-50531868633721564092014-07-24T08:59:58.564-04:002014-07-24T08:59:58.564-04:00Denise, when is our Jungle red weekend on the Cape...Denise, when is our Jungle red weekend on the Cape? I know we're all invited, but the date slipped my mind:)<br /><br />Karen, what a nice idea for a gift. The homemade tree skirt would be a lifetime treasure!Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-812009838801397562014-07-24T08:42:37.794-04:002014-07-24T08:42:37.794-04:00Ramona, I used to give Christmas ornaments as wedd...Ramona, I used to give Christmas ornaments as wedding gifts. A starter kit of some glass balls, two strands of lights, and a special ornament or two that spoke to the couple's interests. Sometimes I made a tree skirt. <br /><br />All that stuff is so expensive, and I remember when I was a newly married woman and someone gave us a tiny tree, ornaments, lights and a topper. Which I still have, and still use. Karen in Ohionoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-87435644485541290472014-07-24T08:37:52.635-04:002014-07-24T08:37:52.635-04:00That cover begs to be purchased and read! Thanks ...That cover begs to be purchased and read! Thanks for the sneak preview -- love the idea of a Key West Christmas (with recipes).<br /><br />Like Hallie, I experienced Christmas in July at camp (4-H Camp) but I don't remember what exactly we did to "celebrate."<br /><br />At this point in my life, I am happy to have July all month -- especially this summer on Cape Cod, when we have had glorious weather.<br />Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.com