As the Song Goes...
"Make someone happy. Make just one someone happy, and you'll be happy, too."
I'm about to make someone happy. And like the song goes, it's a great a morning, because I'm about to send a writer an e-mail, offering to buy the story that he's revised, not once for us, but twice. As the cliche goes, three times is the charm.
Usually, Diane, our Managing Editor for On Spec sends out the offers to buy. This time, I get to do it. And I can't tell you how excited I am, because this story has been a bit of a process - not the writer's fault, but due to the differences in tastes and temperaments at On Spec. And no, before anybody thinks I'm about to air dirty laundry here, I'm not, except maybe to air my own.
I think one of the reasons On Spec works so well is because each editor brings different things to the editorial process. With this particular story, I was tempted to write it off because it had what I thought were glaring errors. It was a good story, had some promise, but I tend to dismiss less than perfect stories. Diane loved the story from the beginning, as did Barb and Ann. (And forgive me, guys, if I'm getting the details wrong). Because they thought the story was good, I took my objections and worked directly with the writer. He took my suggestions and made the fixes.
After the second revision, Barb suggested a final fix, where two scenes were switched, the stronger one with the character who was introduced in the beginning to wrap up the end. Once again, the writer accommodated us. I have no idea what he was thinking, but I suspect he hoped his willingness to work with us would earn him a sale. I also really hope that he thinks his work is better now, is tighter than ever and has greater impact, because it does.
I get excited when I read a really, good story. I get even more excited when I know I've been part of that birthing process. We don't spend a lot of time doing that at On Spec - working one-on-one with a writer with whom we haven't already promised a sale. But thanks to Diane, Barb, and Ann, they wanted this story, and I wanted it better than it was. They saw the potential. I saw the flaws. Sometimes, to bring a really great piece to life, you need editors who do both.
So now, I get to tell the writer we're going to buy his story. Diane suggested I be the one to to do it. I get to make his day.
What a great way to start mine.
