Because with my luck, it would sell and then I'd be STUCK FOREVER writing about the Glittery Hoo-Ha.

Can't take the risk.

I'm having trouble with a current piece where I'm in the middle of crucial introduction of people and establishing initial reactions between characters. I'm finding it horribly boring to write because I know where it all ends, but I have to keep reminding myself that the reader will need this information. It's like pointing out the emergency exits and flotation devices that may be needed later in the flight when you really want to get to the takeoff.

Connie, I'm sorry, I sort of hijacked things with my grumblings about The State of Publishing, but I wanted to come back to what you were saying here-- one thing I'd suggest is that if you're bored, it's likely your reader will be too-- the suggestion always tossed my way is to start where the action starts-- where these characters meet, and seed in the necessary information.

I mean, without knowing more about the story, that's just something to toss out there for you to consider as a technique.

Argh, argh, argh. One of the suggestions my editor made for a revision is to include a section on "traditional" etiquette, and what are some gothy twists on them. Stuff like thank you notes, handshakes, looking people in the eye, and so on.

The problem is, there *aren't* really any gothy twists to them. No really, there aren't. I've been thinking about this since she sent me the edits, and I'm coming up blank. She won't be terribly disappointed in me if I don't take all of her suggestions, will she?

She won't be terribly disappointed in me if I don't take all of her suggestions, will she?

Nope. They're suggestions, after all. What's she's asking is, if there is something that fits within this parameter, she'd like to see it. When you return the manuscript tell her you gave all her suggestions a lot of consideration, you implemented the ones you thought would work and others, simply didn't apply.

Unless there's some spin you can put on it--

You could write an essay on how fundamental courtesy transcends subculture, Jilli. Although that's not like Hecate's Blessing of the Housewarming Gift, or whatever she's hoping for,

When you return the manuscript tell her you gave all her suggestions a lot of consideration, you implemented the ones you thought would work and others, simply didn't apply.

Oh thank goodness. That's what I'll do.

Although that's not like Hecate's Blessing of the Housewarming Gift, or whatever she's hoping for

Ha! erika, I may send that phrase to my Very Wiccan PseudoSibling. He'd get a kick out of it.

thanks.

Or, Jilli, you could point out that the old-fashioned, very formal, courtesies fit in nicely with some sections of the gothy world. I mean, if a man is wearing a frock coat, he's more likely to write a thank-you note (in black ink on nice notepaper) than e-mail a "thank for the grub" message.

Jilli, you could point out that the old-fashioned, very formal, courtesies fit in nicely with some sections of the gothy world. I mean, if a man is wearing a frock coat, he's more likely to write a thank-you note (in black ink on nice notepaper) than e-mail a "thank for the grub" message.

Or that a slight bow or curtsey at handshake time can happen (while one is shaking hands, of course, it would be rude to refuse), or that many Goth men I know delight in kissing a woman friend's hand whenever they greet her.

So, perhaps a sidebar?

he he ... when I was in college there was a brief fad for hand-kissing. Lasted a week, week and a half, one spring. It was kind of fun.