Btw, in order to protect the editor involved I’m not identifying the editor’s gender, which is why I will only refer to that editor as the editor.

I didn’t agree with the editor’s opinion of that particular scene (or of me, for that matter) but I didn’t blow off the demands. I deleted the entire scene and wrote a new one minus the romantic elements. I felt that was the most professional way to handle it from my end. I didn’t discuss any of my feelings about it with the editor, either; as far as I was concerned the editor wasn’t entitled to know what my feelings were from that point on.

It’s tough to work with an abusive editor. It’s tougher to forgive them for the harmful things they do. But if you can let it go, keep working with them and get out of them what you can, you win.

I kinda like Mrs. Giggles too. She can be rough at times, but I’ve never seen her go psycho like this chick did.

Good for you, lady. I’ve seen that happen, especially among mutual admiration only societies masquerading as crit groups. It’s the “I can’t take the heat, so I’ll burn down the kitchen” mentality.

Bernard, you are my new hero.

I honestly think the woman had anger management issues or a borderline personality disorder. I don’t know how she could actually expect anyone in the industry to take her seriously after that histrionic piece of sewage. Even worse? It was published. Didn’t she have to run it past an editor? Obviously not. But maybe now she does.

That’s because you can. You’re the bomb, sweetie.

Yeah, I can see that. Whenever I’m faced with criticism of that sort (be it writing, life or whatever) I usually write a profanity-laced scathing email that typically lacks logic, reason and any semblance of structure, but it gets the vitriol out of my system. I never send the thing. I just save it for a few days and read it until the words no longer make my blood boil.

Oh, Bernard. Bless your heart! That’s the spirit!!!

I would’ve been tempted to send him a sledgehammer in the mail. But then I’m evil like that.

Aside from the mindless insult, did you agree with any of her suggestions/criticisms, or did you just blow her off? In fact, how the hell did you manage to finish the editing process with a tool like that?

Well, it could’ve been worse. At least she didn’t imply there was a genetic deficiency.

But seriously, did you agree with her criticism, or do you think this was just a personal pet peeve of hers?

If you’ve followed a certain reviewer, nine times out of ten you can guess whether he/she will like a particular book. For instance, one reviewer may have a thing against virginal heroines in contemporary novels. Doesn’t matter how dynamic the story is, she just doesn’t buy virtue in 2008, so she rips into that aspect of a story. Every. Time.

The thing about the review in my post is that this woman went out of her way to tear the author to shreds, which, to me, demonstrates something akin to borderline personality disorder. Either that, or one of the violent episodes in the book may have hit too close to home for her. Whatever the case, therapy is a good option.