"Personal" question(s) to John Jarrold

[ctg]

10,000 words was a big chunk for a 110,000 word novel. But what I learned is that it needn't be a matter of cutting out whole sections, as some people think -- although that would certainly be the easy way -- but a word here, a sentence there, a paragraph in another place. It all adds up.

With some of the weighty tomes that people are submitting now, you could take out 20,000 words and never miss them.

(Someone once told me, only half-jokingly, that you can reduce the word count by quite a bit just by eliminating the word "that" where you don't really need it.)

You're absolutely right, taking bits here and there, will reduce the overall word count, and I really have noticed you don't word "that" in all the places. In some places one can use it very easily, but in many other places it does disturb the flow. If you - general you, not you Teresa - do as Mr Banks recommends and "practice", you'll notice change in the way you use words (guess that's a style). But strangely you also learn a totally new way to listen what people say and how they say it ... and that really reflect your writings.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Of course sometimes you do have to make more substantial cuts, because the characters won't shut up, for instance, or because they're getting into unnecessary arguments to raise the tension but in reality they're causing the pacing to flag.

But when you are cutting solely for the purpose of hitting a certain word count you can accomplish a lot simply by taking a little nip out of it here and there.

 

[John Jarrold]

In my first three months in publishing, I was thrown an 'erotic novel' set in Victorian times, and told to take a third out. The author sold well (almost every UK paperback imprint had its erotic fiction list in the 80s) but always delivered far too much material and knew it would be severely cut...

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Meanwhile back on the family friendly site John was selecting 'the best bits' from an over long book.

I sympathise especially since some folks opinions vary wildly on such things. Did the author resent the cuts you made or did he use the fact he knew the cuts would be made and so use it to get someone else to do the difficult bit of getting the balance right.

Also on a slight tangent what's the general take on graphic passages in SF. Is it frowned on or acceptable if relavent to the plot.

 

[John Jarrold]

That particular author - and this can be true of those involved in that area (or it was then) - didn't care, as long as he was paid the advance. Obviously, with SF and Fantasy, I cut to improve the book, in terms of pace and losing unnecessary waffling.

Graphic passages. Look at Richard Morgan. I'd say he's fairly graphic. He's also very intelligent and a good story-teller.

 

[Gary Compton]

Good Afternoon Sir, I hope your well!

Have you ever found one of your clients having a downer - doubting their abilities etc. Maybe even writers block. What do you say to them to gee them up

 

[John Jarrold]

Most authors feel like that at some time, and you deal with them as individuals rather than saying the same thing to everyone, so there is no 'magic bullet'. It's about common sense and having a sensible chat. One has the same thing as a publisher, too.

 

[Mr. Lime]

John, I'm sure this question has been posed before (then again, this is a publishing forum so maybe it isn't that appropriate...hmmm), but I am a bit reluctant to read through this entire gargantuan thread so I apologize in advance for asking...

What is your favorite fantasy novel?

What is your favorite sci fi novel?

What is your favorite book/piece of writing in general?

Thanks in advance.

 

[John Jarrold]

I can't point at one specific book in either genre, but here are some favourite authors (there are many others):

Fantasy - George R R Martin, Fritz Leiber, Neil Gaiman, Guy Gavriel Kay, Michael Moorcock, Robert Holdstock, J R R Tolkien, Tim Powers.

SF - Iain M Banks, Ken MacLeod, Alfred Bester, Ian McDonald, early Roger Zelazny, Robert Silverberg, William Gibson, Pohl & Kornbluth, Brian Aldiss, Greg Bear, Philip K Dick, Alastair Reynolds, Jon Courtenay Grimwood.

In terms of my favourite novel, I think you'd have to go a long way to beat BURR by Gore Vidal. And Orlando Figes' NATASHA'S DANCE - A Cultural History of Russia is a truly magnificent non-fiction book.

 

[John Jarrold]

I also re-read T H White's THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING every year! And have done since around 1968...

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Is that your desert island choice then John.

While we're at it what luxury and disks would you go for.

Who knows it's always good to think ahead that phone call could happen any time.

 

[Ian Whates]

Hey, I see that the 'Personal' questions to John Jarrold thread has taken on e whole new, very literal meaning...

So what is your favourite colour, John?

 

[Hilarious Joke]

Red, the colour of the pen he uses to cross off another substandard manuscript.

Just kidding.

 

[Mr. Lime]

Thanks so much John. I see some of my own favorites in yours lists. You know what they say. Great minds think alike.

I'll have to check out Burr and Natasha's Dance.

As for The Once and Future King. I've heard great things about it, but it's just one of those books I haven't yet gotten around to reading. Must be pretty damn good if you reread it every year though. I'll have to move it up a few slots on my to be read list.

 

[Peter Graham]

It's a fantastic read - arguably the most original thing that has been done with the Arthurian myths since Malory.

 

[John Jarrold]

Is that your desert island choice then John.

While we're at it what luxury and disks would you go for.

Who knows it's always good to think ahead that phone call could happen any time.

Some of the music would change every day (as would a list of my favourite films), but today:

Vaughan Williams - Pastoral Symphony
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Cosmo's Factory
Mozart - The Magic Flute
Beethoven - Seventh Symphony
Fairport Convention - Liege and Leaf
Dave Brubeck - Best of
Frank Sinatra - Wee Small Hours
Any album of Cajun/Zydeco

Not bothered about a luxury, as long as I have the complete Shakespeare!

 

[Flemcodogmusic]

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Cosmo's Factory

Did you know that John Fogerty was once sued by a record company for plagiarising himself?

Apparently, the publishing rights for all the Creedence Clearwater Revival songs were owned by the Record Label, and Fogerty released a solo album, which consisted of a song that sounded quite familiar to one of his earlier compositions ...

Funny old world!

 

[John Jarrold]

Bad Moon Rising, or what?!

 

[Karen Dales]

Is there any rule of thumb or the like regarding querying an agent twice, esp if one hasn't heard anything thing after a specific period of time?

 

[John Jarrold]

If you haven't heard anything after three months (unless they say you may not hear for six months), that is certainly reasonable...