This week we welcome professional editor, Aaron Sikes. Fellow authors can’t stop raving about Aaron’s ability to see what they missed with their manuscript, and emphasize how Aaron builds 
rapport with his writers. Indie authors seeking editing services should put this show on their calendar. Aaron will share his insights on common mistakes writers make and how to build the relationship between writer and editor. Please join us 7 PST/10 EST to have your editing questions answered live on air.
Way past my bedtime, but I’ll catch up tomorrow. Please ask Aaron about scene description. In his opinion, when is it over the top or too sparse in relation to the background setting. Have a good show 🙂
I can’t seem to get livefyre to work so I can’t hear this podcast.
Keriann_McKenna This is the podcast announcement for Thursday. Each week’s show gets recorded live on Thursday night. Livefyre is just the commenting system.
Keriann_McKenna Like Roland stated, livefyre is our commenting system for the live show. If you can’t catch us live we are available on iTunes, Stitcher or you can watch us on our youtube channel.
Darren Wearmouth This is Good Friday morning for me – too many family things on the public holiday. I’ll have to watch it later when I get a minute. Have fun, guys!
Everyone ready to get their SPRT on? Have those editing questions lined up.
Darren Wearmouth Will miss you – and will see you in the morning.
Wat ^?
matmorrisauthor I had to think about that one for a minute. Yay you’re here!
And…here we go?
RobertChazzChute Yay! Sing me a song!
michelleread RobertChazzChute Here we go, SPRT-cast, here we go! *clap clap*
CateMorgan michelleread RobertChazzChute WONDERFUL!
michelleread RobertChazzChute Sorry, left my violin at the other end of the house. Generic Sports Chant is all I had. 🙂
I’m SPRTing in the living room.
Oh…. Hello……
Who else is wondering what John’s avatar will—-ohh there he is.
MrJohnRead Gross, dear!
Oh, hey, michelleread became a redhead like me. NOW YOU ARE ONE OF US. BWA-HA-HA-HAAAAAAA!!
Why is the sky blue?
Refraction
David Anson Because if it were green we wouldn’t know where to stop mowing.
CateMorgan michelleread What nonsense?! It’s always this color! It shines red in the sun like all the purty purties : )
CateMorgan David Anson Mowing? Oh, that thing the people in California don’t have to do any more
Everyone steal Aaron’s profile pic!
matmorrisauthor Let’s do it!
So this is happening…
michelleread I’m on a different computer today, so this is the first time I’ve noticed. Clearly I must up the visuals on my laptop.
matmorrisauthor Yes please! You should NG after.
matmorrisauthor okay, now THAT’S meta…
Now what?
CateMorgan michelleread I dyed mine the same color as that pic of yours and LOVED it! So much.
MrJohnRead Oh LOOK, it’s my profile pic.
Hi RolandDenzel btw!
About how long does it take Aaron copy edit an 80k book? When it’s not in to bad of shape.
I write all of the schizos…
michelleread I LOVE MY COVER ARTIST. *squeesplode* Also, I’m on my gaming rig tonight, which probably explains why I thought you’d Gone Red. (It’s a thing, I’m sure.)
matmorrisauthor Even the surprise ones?
michelleread matmorrisauthor I write all of the surprises, too.
David Anson I want to know this too
matmorrisauthor michelleread … All of them?
CateMorgan michelleread It for really real is auburn. You’re not crazy.
Hey Guys!
xgranville matmorrisauthor michelleread Every. Single. One.
Hi back!
matmorrisauthor xgranville michelleread I’m just testing your ability to talk and type at once. I’m beyond impressed haha.
michelleread I just went the red of Christina Hendricks in Mad Men. Because she is my hero.
michelleread Hi Michelle
xgranville matmorrisauthor michelleread My surprises are so deep hey haven’t even begun to dawn on you yet.
CateMorgan michelleread and shes gorgeous!
How does Aaron recommend an author tackle revisions BEFORE ambushing him with our magnus opus?
matmorrisauthor xgranville michelleread I need a Nicholas Cage type to uncover this National Treasure
CateMorgan Write it correctly the first time.
matmorrisauthor CateMorgan Don’t be an a-hole, Mat.
michelleread matmorrisauthor CateMorgan lol
michelleread matmorrisauthor CateMorgan It sounded like good advice to me…
michelleread matmorrisauthor CateMorgan I like trolls. They like bridges. I like bridges, therefore I must like trolls.
I like candy
MrJohnRead I like vans.
xgranville michelleread matmorrisauthor Also, they are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
reneenbjames Hey Renee! So glad you’re here!
I like luring authors into my van with candy and profile images of editors.
David Anson CateMorgan michelleread GORGEOUS
If I just finished Nano I’m not ready? Challenge accepted, sir…
matmorrisauthor I only trust rusted up Volkswagens with shag carpet interior.
matmorrisauthor I’ll get in THAT van! No wait…..that’s bad.
michelleread David Anson Hella-gorgeous. I can never take my eyes off her. *stunned*
I can beat sheep
xgranville sorry, only panel vans need apply…
MrJohnRead o.0
Any more questions I can actually use?
xgranville matmorrisauthor michelleread WHY IS THERE NO NICK CAGE GIF HERE!?
Question for Aaron: What advice would you offer about when to stop the edit cycle and move to polish? (by the way, my editor is tough as nails (and solid gold) even though I usually want to cry when I get her comments back)/
Affirmation
I prefer rubbing alcohol to Jim… I like accomplishing more with less.
Almost freaked out. Doctor Who reference that wasn’t by me.
michelleread matmorrisauthor Only if it has a unicorn or wizard on the side. Because THAT’S not creep-tastic.
matmorrisauthor You’re going to win the prize for making me do a spit take tonight.
xgranville DON’T BLINK.
xgranville I KNOW RIGHT! So nice.
matmorrisauthor You’re going to go blind. Maybe from the alcohol too.
michelleread xgranville The time has come. But the moment has been prepared for – Tom Baker
xgranville michelleread <3
David Anson matmorrisauthor I can learn braille… let’s do this.
writerrobynlarue Set a release date and tell your readers about it. Done.
Can Aaron go into the difference between editing, copy editing, and proofreading?
Do you edit the work of authors you read, or is it too hard when you’re close to them?
matmorrisauthor writerrobynlarue Mat is very straightforward. And it does actually work that way if you work that way. I’m super serious about self-imposed deadlines, and will stay up all night to meet them.
RolandDenzel Ooooh this is a great question.
I hear you, Michelle. I’d much rather polish and fine-tune than tackle that first revision. 🙂
writerrobynlarue High-five! SOOOO much better.
I know 😉
Offer “services” in exchange for proofreadifng
That’s what I was going to ask. Thanks!
MrJohnRead You heard it here, folks.
MrJohnRead I accept “services” in exchange for copies of my books.
MrJohnRead You’re a dirty man John…I love it.
MrJohnRead WTHeck, it’s your actual face in that tiny pic!
MrJohnRead How about that MacGruber sequel, eh?
Any more questions?
michelleread Why aren’t you talking more?
26 years old! Dang, X I thought you were 50.
matmorrisauthor michelleread Um……..talking me no likey?
Oh my God, how freakin old do you think we are?
reneenbjames I’m a baby. I’m sorry. I’m a baby.
RolandDenzel I figure 10 years over me at least haha
RolandDenzel I can always rest easy knowing Michelle is older than me.
matmorrisauthor RolandDenzel Hahaha
matmorrisauthor RolandDenzel SO MUCH older.
michelleread matmorrisauthor YES YOU ASKED A QUESTION!
I remember Noir like it was yesterday. Me and Bogie smoking and knocking back gin and making time with the dames
$50,000
MrJohnRead $49,999.97 … I WIN ALL OF THE EDITING CONTRACTS.
MrJohnRead thank you, dear. Also…..can I have $50K from the budget? I really like Aaron.
RolandDenzel If it were anyone else I’d call bullshit. But you, Roland, I actually think you might be healthy enough to be that old enough haha.
michelleread MrJohnRead Michelle I’ll give you a special discount… $49,999.96. Cuz we’re friends.
What happens when someone comes out with 6 minute abs?
matmorrisauthor michelleread MrJohnRead Mat you typed “Cuz”. That’s already at least a %500 discount.
I even remember Yore, although Yesteryear is getting faint
MrJohnRead I post images of them eating donuts.
MrJohnRead No six minutes?! You can’t even work up a sweat in six minutes!
Not even a hamster in a wheel
michelleread matmorrisauthor MrJohnRead Rules? When I write there are no… Rules…
matmorrisauthor michelleread MrJohnRead no straggling strangely-place elipseseses!
WHERE IS ROBERT
Wh ….. At ..
michelleread matmorrisauthor MrJohnRead … … … (That’s me giving you 3 blank stares.) ((…))
Thanks, Aaron!
Gotta run. It’s ‘dinner’ time. The wife needs me.
RolandDenzel Bye Roland!!!
RolandDenzel Bye Roland’s wife!
I’d have to say I’m having *more* drinks… because, let’s be honest, I’m usually having a drink already…
Michelle you’re crazy…lol
What is it like to adapt to a new writer’s voice? How do you comment and still preserve the voice? (just curious)
MrJohnRead SMASH IT WITH A HAMMER
reneenbjames Was it the box of wine comment……
michelleread reneenbjames What’s in the box?!?
matmorrisauthor MrJohnRead OMG I LOVE MAT EVEN MORE NOW! I can say this because he’s drunk and won’t remember. But yay for knowing the best of movies!
michelleread reneenbjames wine comes in boxes? You mean in cases?
matmorrisauthor michelleread reneenbjames Cardbordeaux.
Have I told you all lately how awesome SPRT fans are? No, YOU FREAKING ROCK!
writerrobynlarue GREAT question Robyn!
Love that movie
michelleread matmorrisauthor MrJohnRead The hammer is my…
michelleread matmorrisauthor MrJohnRead I’m not drunk. At least I hope not… I need to drive home and clean still. Got family coming to stay with me in a few hours 😛
writerwade You do too, boss! Consequently, I have the fraggle rock song in my head now.
RolandDenzel So good : )
michelleread reneenbjames Yep! but its your funny personality.
xgranville michelleread matmorrisauthor MrJohnRead Dr Horrible right?!?
Avoid your problems by dancing, put everything off until tomorrow…
CateMorgan matmorrisauthor michelleread reneenbjames
reneenbjames michelleread Thanks! I’m taking it as a compliment…..just don’t tell me if it’s not 😉
Thank you, didn’t have that one handy.
MrJohnRead http://www.google.com
MrJohnRead Correct
MrJohnRead That’s what she said.
So slow on the iPad.
michelleread MrJohnRead I’m never told I’m too slow… womp womp.
matmorrisauthor michelleread MrJohnRead Not sure what he means with this comment. Does not sound good.
michelleread matmorrisauthor MrJohnRead Oh… you know…
Oooooooh!
Michelle is putting stuff in my mouth again.
Wait I- oh nevermind…
MrJohnRead What happened to the Star Wars that I used to know?
matmorrisauthor You got the hand over the mouth laugh just now!
Is there a train?…
Yes, yes there is
MrJohnRead Which one of you is the hobo?!?!?!?
MrJohnRead Hobo party!!
I use the Dialogue Tags a lot in my writing.
I’d say I use “said” roughly 85-90% of the time.
Great tip on the Asks tag.
MrJohnRead Yes there is. It’s at Aaron’s house. I like it!
“When you’re as accomplished as Elmore Leonard I’ll work with you…”
(Notice the ellipse. Don’t no one cut me off when I speak.)
matmorrisauthor And 20% of the time it’s used correctly.
michelleread matmorrisauthor Wut
for all 3 it’s around 110,000
I think…
*speech drags out* *music starts playing*
120,000 actually, just looked it up.
After party! Comment here!
MrJohnRead YOU’RE DONE, MR BEATTY. Oh, wait…
matmorrisauthor You are da bess (MrJohnRead can you put the link in later)
I want to come to the after party.
xgranville I’ll consider it, but I’m sitting at a coffee shop, sharing a table with two lovely ladies. They’ll probably think I’m a psycho.
xgranville Still don’t understand why you guys don’t just post a link to click for whoever wants to join… so much easier 😛
https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/hoaevent/AP36tYcjBA8vgMfQq_5bC_0Miss8fkGXYzPrQ_Y5TQLrvjx08TxhYQ
Click this link and it will take you in.
https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/hoaevent/AP36tYcjBA8vgMfQq_5bC_0Miss8fkGXYzPrQ_Y5TQLrvjx08TxhYQ
Darren Wearmouth Great question, Darren! So, bit of a long answer, but…
If it’s the first time you’re showing a particular setting/location, and that setting/location will figure in the book frequently, or even just once more later on, at that first introduction you want to be sure you put key details down, signposts, landmarks, so the reader will easily have them in mind when you bring them back at a later point.
Christopher Moore is a master of this in his stories, especially the San Francisco based goth/vampire send ups (You Suck, Bloodsucking Fiends, and Dirty Job). He positions important details like entrance and exit points, major architectural features, and…this is the critical piece…anything that will figure prominently during a scene of action.
Now, as for going over the top…we don’t need GRRM-level details about what’s in the room or what a character is doing unless those details will have some bearing on a major event or figure in the makeup of a given character. If your protagonist loves his little Zen rock garden in a tray that sits on his desk, and he’s always playing with it before a meeting or a conference call because he’s nervous, then you’ll want to show it to the reader whenever you have that character on the page. Think about how William Gibson shows Hubertus Bigend always sopping up egg with his toast after eating his full English breakfast (in both Spook Country and Zero History) – it’s effectively a character trait, so it belongs on the page.
ajsikes Darren Wearmouth Look at you! Smart and pretty. 😉
I’m Bryan Cohen, and I approve this podcast. Mostly because the hosts like my name.