So I've been a bit frustrated by all of the edits that have been going on with my book. I wrote to one of the editors at Covenant (who is just fabulous), and it kind of summed up my opinion. I hope I haven't killed any relations with Covenant in the future.
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We should probably have a discussion sometime about this philosophy in general. I'm curious about your viewpoints. I think my book in many ways has become better. Your suggestions about a theme were great; I really think it added to the book.
But I think also my original book had just a bit more edge to it. Not edge in a bad way, but in a good way. It was more real, more true to life. I'm almost afraid it has become too 'squeaky clean'. Not that filthy dirty is a good thing, but I almost think the humor of the book has become more Leave it to Beaverish. It's not quite as funny.
I know it's a bit coarse, but the phrase "we'll have to push your intestines back in with a spatula" is a funny line. Not just the line, but because of the person delivering it, and to whom it is being said. My mom used that line once. We all have used similar lines. Not about intestines and spatulas, but something we said in the heat of the moment. Something we would never say in public, and we hope is never repeated. We are embarrassed by it, but later we can laugh about it. I'm afraid we are missing something if we don't paint the characters as they really are. They look too much like June Cleaver; always in a dress, always playing the housewife. Sure, Beavers' escapades are funny, for a bit, but what would be really funny is if, just once, June lost it. "Dammit Beaver, why can't you be more like Wally!"
That would be funny.
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Anyway...