tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post9098403299221112036..comments2024-03-28T07:57:20.138-07:00Comments on Writing for Woman's World Magazine: Original vs. EditKate Willoughbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08923324775303769386noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-22274000681742455332012-06-14T19:52:36.119-07:002012-06-14T19:52:36.119-07:00When you sign the contract, you're agreeing to...When you sign the contract, you're agreeing to whatever edits they choose to do before they do them. :)Kate Willoughbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923324775303769386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-63278532625986619702012-06-14T16:31:03.330-07:002012-06-14T16:31:03.330-07:00This is interesting, and I'm glad that you app...This is interesting, and I'm glad that you approved of the edits. When I sold my story, it was so unrecognizable that I thought I had accidentally sent in a rough draft instead of the finished copy!<br /><br />I had anticipated edits...but it was rather drastic.<br /><br />Still, I was grateful that they wanted it.Shellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17919589166153866156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-78271112936817062392012-04-30T10:44:10.749-07:002012-04-30T10:44:10.749-07:00I don't expect them to never make changes, but...I don't expect them to never make changes, but I have had so many errors put into my writing--which I always put great effort into--that I am less than gracious about the subject. (Not just speaking of WW here.)Tamaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-44968465064929769002012-04-29T13:36:19.911-07:002012-04-29T13:36:19.911-07:00I'm so insecure that I LIKE knowing an editor ...I'm so insecure that I LIKE knowing an editor is going to take his or her red pen to my work. I almost always agree with their changes.Kate Willoughbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923324775303769386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-4027628818527925102012-04-29T13:36:19.050-07:002012-04-29T13:36:19.050-07:00I'm so insecure that I LIKE knowing an editor ...I'm so insecure that I LIKE knowing an editor is going to take his or her red pen to my work. I almost always agree with their changes.Kate Willoughbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923324775303769386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-76625330724839554462012-04-29T11:37:59.746-07:002012-04-29T11:37:59.746-07:00That makes me want to discover the UK markets.That makes me want to discover the UK markets.Tamaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-28464539591358072882012-04-29T05:16:12.593-07:002012-04-29T05:16:12.593-07:00This was interesting to read. I write stories for...This was interesting to read. I write stories for UK women's magazines and I've never known them be edited like this, apart from to change the title or occasionally a name!Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05986874444030474719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-60784663808148790692012-04-25T15:57:25.603-07:002012-04-25T15:57:25.603-07:00The mini mysteries are usually written in the lead...The mini mysteries are usually written in the lead character's POV, but never in deep POV like romance. Does that help you all any?Patnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-3358684494424736372012-04-25T12:38:06.062-07:002012-04-25T12:38:06.062-07:00Mary Jo, I've only sold one mystery, so I'...Mary Jo, I've only sold one mystery, so I'm no expert. I think if you read what they publish, you'll see there's a definite formula. I wouldn't say they have a "main" character. The detective(s) may be official or not, and there are (usually) a few suspects. It's all about the hidden clue - it can't be too obvious or too obscure. It's hard to get it right!<br /><br />I'm a bit confused about your issue with the male POV stories. When I write from the hero's POV in my romance novels, I know I'm writing for women and it's a "fantasy." It's all about the demographic of your audience. For WW, that's women - it's in the title!<br /><br />As for whether or not the romance is "working," the WW accountants know that, not me! I just believe in working with what IS, instead of the way I might wish it WAS.Betsihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03861482447169647656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-24291331266136085252012-04-25T12:07:22.840-07:002012-04-25T12:07:22.840-07:00The WW romance stories from the male POV are women...The WW romance stories from the male POV are women's stories, though. Definitely not something you would find in a man's magazine. I think I will give it a shot once more and see what I can come up with. Wish I could write the mysteries, but my brain just doesn't work that way. In real life, almost all detectives are male, so that must account for him in the WW mysteries. The Detective isn't always the lead character, is he?<br /><br />Betsi, IS the WW "style" working for them? After all, the "romance" has absolutely shriveled up over the years. They began with 4000 words and are now down to 800 (or actually more like 600). We are getting down to flash-fiction here.Mary Jonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-64524321351159385062012-04-25T08:52:53.118-07:002012-04-25T08:52:53.118-07:00My first WW sale was a male POV story -- I'd s...My first WW sale was a male POV story -- I'd say that between 10 and 20% are male, but agree with Mary Ann that this is a "woman's magazine" and that proportion isn't likely to change. I think they're open to new things when they work -- like the tattoo, and the time the story was told by a car! The WW style is light reading, and since it's working for them, why would they change?<br />Mary Ann, I think the mysteries are usually told from an omniscient POV, not in a particular character's "head." Maybe slightly more of the police/detectives are men.Betsihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03861482447169647656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-49101602703374242002012-04-25T07:20:42.117-07:002012-04-25T07:20:42.117-07:00I've had them buy 2 of my stories that were to...I've had them buy 2 of my stories that were told from the man's point of view, so I think they are open to that for sure. However, it is a "woman's magazine" so they probably limit how many they'll put in.<br /><br />Most of the mysteries, though not all, it seems, are from the male point of view, don't you think? Or maybe more than half, anyway.<br /><br />I agree with Kate, that your story about the tattoo Mary Jo, was really something different and unexpected for WW. Maybe they are starting a new trend, and you've started it with that story. <br /><br />I know that I've tried some "different" stories, too, but most of the time, those have been rejected. But you never know what the future will bring. <br />--Mary AnnMary Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00947204195242982339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-54013444772001799452012-04-25T00:58:49.770-07:002012-04-25T00:58:49.770-07:00I just wish the editors would come to the table an...I just wish the editors would come to the table and recognize that anyone with a TV, a computer, a smart phone, has full access to world happenings. That is, no matter where they live or what their education and income levels. Do I have to go back to the days when I went with my Grandma to walk the cow (no kidding)before she put her back in the shed for the night? Well, I think American women are smart and so is the best kind of man.Mary Jonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-60671125096638991632012-04-24T21:57:19.572-07:002012-04-24T21:57:19.572-07:00Ah, Mary Jo, is this the author of the TATTOO stor...Ah, Mary Jo, is this the author of the TATTOO story talking? A tattoo is SO not your typical Woman's World fare, and yet you got that published. It's always worth trying something out of the ordinary. You just never know.Kate Willoughbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923324775303769386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-1731222214911425212012-04-24T12:02:19.566-07:002012-04-24T12:02:19.566-07:00Kate, I wrote two male POV stories for WW and I do...Kate, I wrote two male POV stories for WW and I don't think either one of them made it off Patricia's desk. Too bad. I thought they were really cute stories. Maybe they were too male? I guess anything that is a little different from the usual WW "voice" doesn't stand a chance. I know, you have been preaching that for years. Their stories could be so much more interesting, though, if they would just broaden their scope a bit.Mary Jonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-69544584632949257102012-04-23T17:38:46.230-07:002012-04-23T17:38:46.230-07:00Cerri, thanks. True, the woman's POV is the no...Cerri, thanks. True, the woman's POV is the norm, but here and there you'll find male POVs. I want to say somewhere around 20%, but that's just a guess. Maybe someone else can chime in on this, too.Kate Willoughbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923324775303769386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-45724791699599226372012-04-23T07:16:19.897-07:002012-04-23T07:16:19.897-07:00Another thanks for posting this so we can see the ...Another thanks for posting this so we can see the edits they made. What I loved about your story was the male pov. I haven't read many of those. Is that something new to WW or rare? Or maybe I seem to only grab the issues with female pov. Regardless, the story shined and put a big old sunflower smile on my face. Congrats.Cerri Ellisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-16392983215911951152012-04-20T13:32:27.507-07:002012-04-20T13:32:27.507-07:00You're welcome, Pat! Good luck with your stori...You're welcome, Pat! Good luck with your stories!!Kate Willoughbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923324775303769386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-2317477014996456042012-04-20T13:32:26.812-07:002012-04-20T13:32:26.812-07:00You're welcome, Pat! Good luck with your stori...You're welcome, Pat! Good luck with your stories!!Kate Willoughbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923324775303769386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-73486996815722299822012-04-20T07:59:06.985-07:002012-04-20T07:59:06.985-07:00I loved your story, Kate. Many thanks for posting ...I loved your story, Kate. Many thanks for posting the story as written and then the edits by WW. It's been a learning experience for me, too, as I work on another story to submit.<br />PatPat Jeanne Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05000956321646970512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-86653122468576861802012-04-19T19:08:39.991-07:002012-04-19T19:08:39.991-07:00Thanks, Mary Jo.Thanks, Mary Jo.Kate Willoughbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923324775303769386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-55186141408466941432012-04-18T18:19:22.138-07:002012-04-18T18:19:22.138-07:00Kate, after all the work you have done over the pa...Kate, after all the work you have done over the past few years, analyzing the Woman's World "voice", you are totally familiar with the tone they want to print. There are a few of your personal expressions that Johnene saw fit to change, but on the whole, I think she just fine-tuned your story. Even with all the "blue editing", she did not make any essential changes in what you wrote. That is surely why you didn't see any major changes on first read. As I said before, you have the WW romance "nailed".<br /><br />As for the ex-boyfriend, if I had to use him at all, I would have put him way back in the distant past. Zach didn't need a foot in the door to make his stand.Mary Jonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-2503817625257654202012-04-18T17:18:09.808-07:002012-04-18T17:18:09.808-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Kate Willoughbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923324775303769386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-48533726294165697192012-04-18T17:18:09.167-07:002012-04-18T17:18:09.167-07:00You're welcome, everyone. It was eye opening t...You're welcome, everyone. It was eye opening to me, too.Kate Willoughbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923324775303769386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406318704822590967.post-15258370949848475912012-04-18T15:29:20.126-07:002012-04-18T15:29:20.126-07:00Thank you, Kate. It's interesting to see how t...Thank you, Kate. It's interesting to see how the tone shifts subtly (altho I too liked sunflower smile).Megan Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06548791853823629555noreply@blogger.com