writing

Left Coast Crime Conference Panel, part 2

/ Ann Aubrey Hanson / Leave a comment

So, on March 11-14, I will be attending the Left Coast Crime Conference in Los Angeles, where I will soak in the atmosphere of mystery writing par excellence. Some of my favorite writers will be there: Laurie R. King, Lee Child, Robert Crais, and that up-and-coming star, Meg Gardiner.

I have been invited to participate on the panel “Social Commentary,” which I anticipate eagerly. The others on the panel are mystery writers, while I, though working on a mystery but as yet unpublished as a novelist, will sit as an editor. And I believe I’ll have some beneficial insights for those writers who attend the workshop. Social commentary is welcome in fiction, but only when it doesn’t overwhelm the story and when the reader doesn’t come away feeling “preached at.” That’s my humble opinion, anyway.

Should be a fun and illuminative weekend. More later.

What Authors Really Want

/ Ann Aubrey Hanson / Leave a comment

Most authors recognize that in order to get published today, a manuscript must be edited and prepared for publication before it is ever sent for consideration. Most publishers today do not have the staff, the time, or the money to edit a book once it has been accepted, unless, of course, you are one of the elite authors for whom such things are still the norm.
That said, most authors understand that they must have another eye critique and edit their work before it is sent off to a publishing house.

What many authors don’t understand, however, is that an editor’s job is not simply to rave about the work, declare it ready to go, and fix a few spelling and punctuation errors. Any editor worth paying will read the book with a critical eye and provide honest feedback. Editors should not be hired as ego strokers. It is our job to look at the work and find ways to improve it, ways that would be readily apparent to any reader at any decent publishing house.

As a writer, I know how hard it is to put my work out for review, after I’ve slaved over every sentence, nuanced every line, and agonized over the structure, plot, and storyline. But I also know that when I do have other, knowledgeable readers critique my work, I am able to improve my writing in ways that weren’t readily apparent to me.

As an editor, I have frequently encountered those authors who truly want my professional opinion and suggestions. These are the delightful clients, ones for whom I am willing to put in longer hours and more effort. But there are a few authors who seek my advice and then get indignant when I make suggestions for improvement. For these authors, their works are their children, and how dare I criticize what they have created. These are the authors from whom I know I should run, because neither of us will be satisfied: not them with my editing, and not me with their final product.

But that’s what makes the world go round. Me, with my opinions, and they, with theirs. As an editor, I have to realize that I cannot always edit a work to my vision, but must accommodate the author’s vision first and foremost, but only after I have given my honest opinion, assessment, and suggestions.

Last Stop: Editing

/ Ann Aubrey Hanson / Leave a comment

It amuses me to see how many people have months to write a paper, an article, or a book, and yet wait until the 11th hour to get it edited. In the past few weeks, I’ve received several Ph.D. proposals and dissertations to edit, many of which were due the following week or week after. A few have only needed formatting and cleaning up, but others have required major rewrites and reorganization.

Few people realize that early editing is key. Once the outline is completed and a first draft has been completed, that is the time to get an editor, simply to verify that the paper is on track, to catch errors in organization and presentation of facts early on. Otherwise, it’s like building a car and completing it, down to the leather seats and the hi-fidelity sound system, only to discover that the two front wheels point forward and the two rear wheels point sideways. All that extra work amping up the interior for nothing, because you have to go back to the drawing board on the initial design.

Design, check your design, refine your design, then build. That’s the key to success. Same for editing. Organize, draft, check your draft through editing, rewrite, and do a final edit. Simple.

Left Coast Crime 2010 Panel

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It appears that I have been selected to appear on a panel at the upcoming Left Coast Crime 2010 conference in Los Angeles in March. When I registered to attend, I indicated that I would be willing to serve on a panel if they needed me. Apparently, they need me. I have received word that I will be on a panel, though I don’t know yet which one it will be.

Not a published crime writer yet, I suspect that I will serve as an editing expert. Truth is, I would be delighted to serve in whatever capacity they need, but am most confident in terms of editing. I am working with several clients right now, one of whom is a mystery writer, and teaching courses at UCSD Extension, one of which will be repeated in the Spring: Evil, Vile Villains.

My award-winning friend and author, Meg Gardiner, will also be on a panel at Left Coast Crime 2010. Her presence there was one of the main reasons I registered. Can’t pass up a chance to see her when she’s on the Left Coast! Then, turns out that Lee Child is one of the main presenters. I’ve just “discovered” his books and am eager to hear him speak.

So, time will tell what’s in store for me at Left Coast Crime 2010. I’ll update this blog as I learn more.

Choosing Contracts Wisely

/ Ann Aubrey Hanson / Leave a comment

So, when one is submitting proposals for writing contracts, it pays to do research before hitting the Submit button. I just narrowly missed getting involved in a problematic project, writing a Wiki article about someone who turned out to be, let’s just say “dicey,” at best. Once I had been awarded the job and more information came my way, I realized that I couldn’t in good conscience be a part of the project and would never want any association with the person or his agenda.

The upshot of the incident was my withdrawing from the project, with good will on both sides (I was dealing with an intermediary, not with the subject himself), and a new awareness on my part that I must always ask for the full facts before I bid, even if it means delaying the bid for a short while. Better to take the time and not rue the rush.

On the other hand, I have chosen wisely with respect to several other bids and projects, so I have to expect a dip in the road once in a while.

Back to Freelance

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Having just spent three months working as a contract technical writer, I am happy to report that I completed twice the number of documents they were hoping for in two-thirds the allotted time. I am also happy to report that, having finished the contract with blazing speed and applauded success, I have declined another contract at Sony and am returning full time to my freelance writing and editing work.

I enjoyed the work at Sony, learning four new software programs for which I then wrote online help content for a knowledge base, but I found that I missed the variety that freelance entails. Not for me the monotony of writing about the same subject day in and day out. As a freelance writer and editor, I typically have 5-10 projects in house, which means that I get to juggle what I do on any given day. Boredom is never an option.

“Finishing” is also rarely an option because there is always work to be done. But I don’t mind that. In fact, I embrace the idea of the work floodwaters rising. The more the merrier. I am one of those people who can sit and immediately focus, whether for 15 minutes or 6 hours at a stretch. And, variety being the spice of life, my tastes are satisfied at every moment.

So thanks to Sony for the three-month experience, but welcome me back, freelance life! It’s good to be home!

Technical Writing for Sony

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I am currently working on contract at Sony USA in San Diego as a contract Technical Writer. It’s my task to write job aids and process guides for Customer Care agents. These are the front-line agents who receive phone calls from Sony customers, either to place orders or to deal with customer needs and complaints. Since the newly trained agents can’t be expected to know all aspects of the business, my documents will be available to them on an online knowledge base, which they can access during a phone call to find the procedures and answers they need to satisfy the customers.

The task involves using job aids that were created before, adapting them to the new software that will be used, and also interviewing the in-house subject matter experts, trying to take their hard-earned knowledge and put it on paper.

Because I’ve done technical writing for so many years, this is not a difficult task. Initially, the main concern was just getting published as much information as possible. Now, during the second phase, I will go back and concentrate on conceptualizing the documents, adding explanations about when certain processes are used, and the likely exceptions the agents will encounter. That’s the tougher job; I have to think like an agent and decipher what their needs might be and their thought processes under stress. Interesting and definitely the part of the task that I most enjoy.