The Other Side o' the Desk

Listen, I’ve been an editor and I’ve been a freelancer. They’re both tough gigs with good parts and bad parts. And while I may enjoy a good round of editor-bashing as much as the next guy (especially if the next guy is an editor—nothin’ better’n bashing someone to their face, I’ve found; that behind-the-back stuff lacks the same thrill), I never downplay what a tough job an editor has. In comics, at least, it’s a position of tremendous responsibility and very little power. And very few make the kinda bucks that’ll make that disparity worth it.

Now, having said that…

I can so feel this guy’s pain. Not least because, in addition to having been on the receiving end of this kind o’ feedback on occasion, I’m pretty sure I dished some of it out back in the day…ah, but I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.

So how are things going with your Agent or Editor—or What’s a Writer to do?

Ever had one of those weeks? Two of those weeks, three of ....

Agent—The young officer that gets injured, can you eliminate the main character and make him your protagonist instead?
Editor—I love the older cop angle, everything today is slanted towards youth.

Editor—I think you have nailed the terrorist mindset!
Editor—Can you tell the story more from the terrorist perspective?
Agent—Can you show more feelings on behalf of the terrorists?

Agent—I really like the seemingly unconnected murders and the tension that they build!
Editor—Can you perhaps do away with a couple of the murders?

Editor—Your main plot theme of the attack is brilliant very unique!
Agent—My biggest issue is with the main attack it caused me to sigh somewhat in disbelief.

Editor—The part with the young officer is very suspenseful I squirmed as I was reading it!
Review—One undiscovered helicopter-crash victim’s survival made me groan but Clackson stays well within the bounds of wide-eyed anticipation.

Review—In a way, one can believe that terrorists must think in these black-and white terms otherwise they could not continue through with their tasks; tasks they believe are blessed and directed by god.
Editor—Do you really think that the terrorist are that single minded with their only purpose to inflict damage?

Review—There are a couple of delightfully unexpected plot twists. One is a romance angle involving the terrorists.
Editor—The part with the two terrorists romantic involvement didn’t work for me and can maybe be taken out?

Comments

[Jay]

almost painfully funny
thanks