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Kate Lord Brown | Keeping It Fresh …
April 17, 2011
 1941 Magazine
How many times do writers edit their manuscript before showing it to an agent or
a publisher do you think? If they are anything like me, countless times. Once
the agent has made a few editorial suggestions, there are more changes. Then,
you work with the editor, the copy editor, the proof editor … By the time a book
goes to press, the writer will have been over the manuscript so many times they
can probably recite sections by heart. So when you are reading the same book
over and over again, how do you keep it fresh? The final, beautiful hardback copies of my debut THE BEAUTY CHORUS were
delivered by DHL the day before publication. Opening the box, and seeing the
real book was a dream come true. The first thing I did was sit down and read the
book again – and it felt fresh. Of course, I knew what was coming, but falling
in love with the characters again – laughing with them, loving with them, crying
with them – had the quality and depth of a long relationship or friendship seen
in a new light. That, I think is the key to keeping a story fresh for a writer – and for a
reader. You have to love your characters. For me, I have to write heroines I
admire, and heroes I would love to sweep me off my feet. Equally, I’ve always believed in ‘write what you love’ not the usual old write
what you know. When I read a tiny obituary for a woman who had flown Spitfires
during the war, I wanted to know more. I had a gut feeling it was a story that
had to be told. I’m married to a pilot, but when I started out, I knew nothing
about these amazing, brave and beautiful young women who had supported the
Allies by ferrying fighter planes to squadrons, unarmed and alone. But I learnt
– and the more I learnt, the more I fell in love with their story. It was an honour to work with some of the ‘real’ Spitfire girls, who came from
all over the US, UK and further afield to do their bit. They are in their
eighties and nineties now, but every bit as brave, strong and modest as the
fictional characters inspired by them. Maybe that’s the answer to keeping it fresh in writing, and in life – do
something you love, learn something new every day. Now that my book is out in
the world, I’m hoping people will find this story of some remarkable women as
fresh and intriguing as I did – and a whole new readership will fall in love
with them too. Kate Lord Brown’s
début THE BEAUTY
CHORUS is being published by Corvus Atlantic April 1, 2011. Visit her blog
Available in Kindle for UK
Comments
10 comments posted.
Re: Kate Lord Brown | Keeping It Fresh …
Not only does your book sound amazing, but it sounds like it will be a great read. I love to read books that have to do with the time frame that my Dad was in the service. I had no idea that there were Lady pilots who flew solo!! I give them credit, since that's something I could never do!! I have to get my hands on this book, and I'm sure I will truly enjoy it, cover to cover!! Thank you for keeping this part of History alive not just for our generation, but for generations to come.
(Peggy Roberson 1:01pm April 17, 2011)
It must take a lot of patience to keep going with the number of edits. When I write for work, I usually do some editing but not a lot before I get someone else to check it over for content. The more I polish something first, the less accomodating I feel about making changes.
(Carol Drummond 1:41pm April 17, 2011)
It's wonderful to hear how much you love the story you told. It takes a special story to keep the magic after so many readings and edits.
(Maria Munoz 2:00pm April 17, 2011)
I think taking the time to get something right takes alot of skill and patience. You have both and it really shows in your work. Keep up your spirit to put out the best of the best.
(Cheryl English 6:32pm April 17, 2011)
It's wonderful that after all those changes recommended by the various people associated with the production and the numerous hours you spent writing and rewriting it, you could sit down with your book and enjoy it. Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. After all, I like to read a good book more than one time.
(Anna Speed 7:08pm April 17, 2011)
I just finished looking at the blog, and checking out the links in the posts there. Really, really interesting! I knew about the WAACs here in the US (Women's Auxiliary Air Corps), but it never occurred to me that there was an equivalent in the UK, and it should have. Sorry!
Anyway, this looks like a great book, and it is now on my TBB list, and as soon as I've bought it, it's hitting the TOP of my TBR pile!!
Thanks for telling their stories! It was way past time!!
Later,
Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 7:10pm April 17, 2011)
All the edits would be crazy and tough on me, thank you for keeping at it and bringing this to everyone!
(Debra Simning-Chapman 9:25pm April 17, 2011)
This is certainly a different era than is rarely covered by authors. I'm glad to see it since it really isn't that long in our past and still touches some of us. All the best to you, Kate.
(Sigrun Schulz 10:02pm April 17, 2011)
Do you feel like you may be over editing? I haven't read any of your books, nor written one myself, but it seems to me that there might actually be a point when something is no longer your work but that of a group. I'd also wonder if the characters are too perfect. Isn't there one thing about a mate (married, engaged, dating, or even divorced) that absolutely drives you insane to the point of distraction? It takes away from the relationship and someone just has to get over it if they want that person to be their mate (or maybe it's the reason for the ex-mate) but you need it in the book to make them have that extra dimension. Just curious about the writing process in general, NOT a reflection on a book I haven't read.
(Christina Harrison 3:36am April 18, 2011)
Old times do make the heart grow fonder as in "Remember when..." and then someone fills in the blank. I'm rather fond of doing line edits for someone else's work while keeping it in the voice and tone of the writer. It sure helps to know the overall arc you want to convey so there's a circling around the wagon train that helps it not go downhill. Great subject matter in your book and love the cover. Way to go girl!
(Alyson Widen 8:27pm April 20, 2011)
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