“A bundle of contradictions” was the end of my previous letter and is the beginning of this one. Can you please tell me exactly what “a bundle of contradictions” is? What does “contradiction” mean? Like so many words, it can be interpreted in two ways: a contradiction imposed from without and one imposed from within.
The former means not accepting other people’s opinions, always knowing best, having the last word; in short, all those unpleasant traits for which I’m known. The latter, for which I’m not known, is my own secret.
As I’ve told you many times, I’m split in two. One side contains my exuberant cheerfulness, my flippancy, my joy in life and, above all, my ability to appreciate the lighter side of things. By that I mean not finding anything wrong with flirtations, a kiss, an embrace, an off-colour joke. This side of me is usually lying in wait to ambush the other one, which is much purer, deeper and finer. No one knows Anne’s better side, and that’s why most people can’t stand me.
Oh, I can be an amusing clown for an afternoon, but after that everyone’s had enough of me to last a month. Actually, I’m what a romantic movie is to a profound thinker – a mere diversion, a comic interlude, something that is soon forgotten: not bad, but not particularly good either.
I hate having to tell you this, but why shouldn’t I admit it when I know it’s true? My lighter, more superficial side will always steal a march on the deeper side and therefore always win. You can’t imagine how often I’ve tried to push away this Anne, which is only half of what is known as Anne-to beat her down, hide her. But it doesn’t work, and I know why.
I’m afraid that people who know me as I usually am will discover I have another side, a better and finer side. I’m afraid they’ll mock me, think I’m ridiculous and sentimental and not take me seriously. I’m used to not being taken seriously, but only the “light-hearted” Anne is used to it and can put up with it; the “deeper” Anne is too weak. If I force the good Anne into the spotlight for even fifteen minutes, she shuts up like a clam the moment she’s called upon to speak, and lets Anne number one do the talking. Before I realize it, she’s disappeared.
So the nice Anne is never seen in company. She’s never made a single appearance, though she almost always takes the stage when I’m alone. I know exactly how I’d like to be, how I am… on the inside. But unfortunately I’m only like that with myself. And perhaps that’s why-no, I’m sure that’s the reason why I think of myself as happy on the inside and other people think I’m happy on the outside. I’m guided by the pure Anne within, but on the outside I’m nothing but a frolicsome little goat tugging at its tether.
As I’ve told you, what I say is not what I feel, which is why I have a reputation for being boy-crazy as well as a flirt, a smart aleck and a reader of romances. The happy-go-lucky Anne laughs, gives a flippant reply, shrugs her shoulders and pretends she doesn’t give a darn. The quiet Anne reacts in just the opposite way. If I’m being completely honest, I’ll have to admit that it does matter to me, that I’m trying very hard to change myself, but that I I’m always up against a more powerful enemy.
A voice within me is sobbing, “You see, that’s what’s become of you. You’re surrounded by negative opinions, dismayed looks and mocking faces, people, who dislike you, and all because you don’t listen to the advice of your own better half.”
Believe me, I’d like to listen, but it doesn’t work, because if I’m quiet and serious, everyone thinks I’m putting on a new act and I have to save myself with a joke, and then I’m not even talking about my own family, who assume I must be sick, stuff me with aspirins and sedatives, feel my neck and forehead to see if I have a temperature, ask about my bowel movements and berate me for being in a bad mood, until I just can’t keep it up anymore, because when everybody starts hovering over me, I get cross, then sad, and finally end up turning my heart inside g out, the bad part on the outside and the good part on the inside, and keep trying to find a way to become what I’d like to be and what I could be if… if only there were no other people in the world.
“A bundle of contradictions” was the end of my previous letter and is the beginning of this one. Can you please tell me exactly what “a bundle of contradictions” is? What does “contradiction” mean? Like so many words, it can be interpreted in two ways: a contradiction imposed from without and one imposed from within.
The former means not accepting other people’s opinions, always knowing best, having the last word; in short, all those unpleasant traits for which I’m known. The latter, for which I’m not known, is my own secret.
As I’ve told you many times, I’m split in two. One side contains my exuberant cheerfulness, my flippancy, my joy in life and, above all, my ability to appreciate the lighter side of things. By that I mean not finding anything wrong with flirtations, a kiss, an embrace, an off-colour joke. This side of me is usually lying in wait to ambush the other one, which is much purer, deeper and finer. No one knows Anne’s better side, and that’s why most people can’t stand me.
Oh, I can be an amusing clown for an afternoon, but after that everyone’s had enough of me to last a month. Actually, I’m what a romantic movie is to a profound thinker – a mere diversion, a comic interlude, something that is soon forgotten: not bad, but not particularly good either.
I hate having to tell you this, but why shouldn’t I admit it when I know it’s true? My lighter, more superficial side will always steal a march on the deeper side and therefore always win. You can’t imagine how often I’ve tried to push away this Anne, which is only half of what is known as Anne-to beat her down, hide her. But it doesn’t work, and I know why.
I’m afraid that people who know me as I usually am will discover I have another side, a better and finer side. I’m afraid they’ll mock me, think I’m ridiculous and sentimental and not take me seriously. I’m used to not being taken seriously, but only the “light-hearted” Anne is used to it and can put up with it; the “deeper” Anne is too weak. If I force the good Anne into the spotlight for even fifteen minutes, she shuts up like a clam the moment she’s called upon to speak, and lets Anne number one do the talking. Before I realize it, she’s disappeared.
So the nice Anne is never seen in company. She’s never made a single appearance, though she almost always takes the stage when I’m alone. I know exactly how I’d like to be, how I am… on the inside. But unfortunately I’m only like that with myself. And perhaps that’s why-no, I’m sure that’s the reason why I think of myself as happy on the inside and other people think I’m happy on the outside. I’m guided by the pure Anne within, but on the outside I’m nothing but a frolicsome little goat tugging at its tether.
As I’ve told you, what I say is not what I feel, which is why I have a reputation for being boy-crazy as well as a flirt, a smart aleck and a reader of romances. The happy-go-lucky Anne laughs, gives a flippant reply, shrugs her shoulders and pretends she doesn’t give a darn. The quiet Anne reacts in just the opposite way. If I’m being completely honest, I’ll have to admit that it does matter to me, that I’m trying very hard to change myself, but that I I’m always up against a more powerful enemy.
A voice within me is sobbing, “You see, that’s what’s become of you. You’re surrounded by negative opinions, dismayed looks and mocking faces, people, who dislike you, and all because you don’t listen to the advice of your own better half.”
Believe me, I’d like to listen, but it doesn’t work, because if I’m quiet and serious, everyone thinks I’m putting on a new act and I have to save myself with a joke, and then I’m not even talking about my own family, who assume I must be sick, stuff me with aspirins and sedatives, feel my neck and forehead to see if I have a temperature, ask about my bowel movements and berate me for being in a bad mood, until I just can’t keep it up anymore, because when everybody starts hovering over me, I get cross, then sad, and finally end up turning my heart inside g out, the bad part on the outside and the good part on the inside, and keep trying to find a way to become what I’d like to be and what I could be if… if only there were no other people in the world.
Hey all! So I’ve decided to change the format for #FourGodsFriday. From this week on, I will be giving you a look into the characters, mythology, or the world of The Four Gods, while also remaining open for questions. This week, I’m going to give you a more in-depth look into the Fenghuang tribes that appear throughout the series. Here we go!
There are four tribes of Fenghuang:
发明 Faming “Light Issuing” (East)– These Fenghuang are usually the upper tier of the Fenghuang clans. They consider themselves the most proper of all four tribes and deem the other three as simple and even savage. Though they have very high views of themselves, they are not as politically savvy as some of the other tribes. Their powers are fire-based but they are very skilled in wind and sound magic. Their plumage contains more blues and greens than other Fenghuang. When in a humanoid form, these Fenghuang have hair colors in the brown and auburn spectrum and usually having brown or amber eyes. Skin color can vary, but these Fenghuang are on the paler side. Their clothing and collective culture is the closest to Han Chinese culture out of all four tribes. They also have the most contact with humans.
烧明 Shaoming “Light Burning” (South)– The Fenghuang in the southern tribe while not the classiest of clans, usually hold all the positions of power, much to the eastern tribe’s chagrin. The Shaoming have reputations for being scandalous, having fiery tempers, and extremely knowledgable of Heavenly politics. These Fenghuang have fire-based magic and also have skills in sound magics. Wind magic is not their forte, however, there are rumors floating around the Heavens that the Shaoming have crossbred with Long considering some have been able to master water-based magics. Their plumage exclusively features warm tones, mainly reds and oranges, however some can have violet colors in their feathers. In humanoid forms, the Shaoming Fenghuang have brighter hair colors ranging from browns to reds, and their eye colors can range from black to amber to violet. The Shaoming generally have the darkest skin colors out of all four tribes. Their culture and clothing resembles the Miao of southern China, but since this is the biggest tribe, they have been known to acclimate to other cultures of southern China such as the Tujia, Zhuang, and Yi cultures. In TFG, this is the tribe Fengge and his family hail from.
速霜 Sushuang "Severe Frost" (West)- The Sushuang are the most spiritual out of the four tribes. Despite being the tribe closest to Heaven, they are the least involved in politics and value spirituality and philosophy over their ranks. They are the most wind affiliated out of the four tribes when it comes to their magic, but they also have the strongest sound magic out of all the tribes. Their plumage has more yellows and whites than the other tribes, and they are more accustomed to higher altitudes and extreme temperatures. In their humanoid forms, the Sushuang can have the most extreme features, with hair colors featuring blacks, browns, whites, and even blues. They eye colors can also range from black to blue, while most have a hazel-like eye color. Their skin, like the Shaoming, can be quite dark, but they can also be extremely pale. Their culture and clothing would be closest to Tibetan culture.
逾長 Yuzhang “Exceeding Growth” (North)- The Yuzhang are the most removed out of all the Fenghuang tribes and prefer to stay out of everyone’s business. Next to the Sushuang, they are the least involved in politics, but when present, are the most level-headed. Their magic is also wind affiliated, but are not skilled in sound or fire magics. Their plumage has more black than other tribes, and they are the quietest flyers out of all Fenghuang. In their humanoid forms, they are closest to resembling humans with hair colors in the blacks and browns and eye colors within the same spectrum. Their skin is the palest out of the four tribes. Their collective culture closely resembles the Manchu and Mongolian cultures.
In all Fenghuang tribes, their ruling classes are called Jinghuo 精火, and all young are called Yue 鸑. The two highest positions in the entire collective tribe are Zhuque 朱雀, which is an office of the Si Ling 四靈, and the Fenghuang Tianwang 鳳凰天王, which serves as chief to all four tribes.
Today’s writing advice is something that is a crucial part of the writing process and can seem like the most terrifying: how to find a professional editor. And before anyone asks: getting your work professionally edited is mandatory if you want to be published in any sense. No exceptions.
Finding an Editor
When looking for an editor, the first thing you should consider is if your book is even ready for an editor. I would recommend self-editing and sending your book through at least one round of beta reads before you shoot your MS off to someone to edit. Please please please do not send your first draft to a professional editor.
But where to start looking? Searching for editors in your genre online is a good start, but I found my current editor through word-of-mouth via Goodreads. Other writing communities are a great start to see if other writers are pleased with an editor’s work. If they are willing to recommend them to other authors, then you know you’re on the right track.
So your book has been beta read and you’ve edited it to the best of your own ability? Yay! Now it’s time to find an editor that edits your genre. If you are writing fantasy, you wouldn’t send your MS to an editor who specializes in non-fiction, so be sure to check to see what their specialties are. Some editors will even edit across different genres.
Your next plan of action is to find out if your editor is credible. Once you find their website, they should have a page that lists their editing credentials. They may have a degree in English or a related field, but usually they will also have separate editing certifications and will be part of editor organizations. If they don’t have their credentials listed or refuse to give them to you, or even worse, say they have none, then you don’t want them as your editor.
Types of Edits
So you’ve found an editor you’re interested in contacting that fits the above criteria for you? Great! What kind of editing do you need for your MS?
Developmental edit– This type of edit will cover your plot and characters. Developmental edits will find plot holes, characterization problems and inconsistencies, and ways your story can improve. Even if you had beta readers, this type of edit is usually required before you can move forward with a copyedit, and depending on how edited your story is so far, you may need more than one of these.
Copyedit– This is essentially the proofread. Any punctuation, grammar, or spelling errors will be found here.
When I got The Moon-Eyed Ones edited for the first time, I wasn’t sure where the story stood because most of my beta reviews were highly positive. Don’t be afraid to ask their opinion! Most editors will provide a “test run” edit where they will edit a small segment of your MS for free or for a smaller charge to see if they are a good fit for you. My editor for TMEO and TFG actually won’t do a copyedit before she does a developmental edit. After the developmental edit, she will go through the edits with me personally over the phone and we can discuss how we want to proceed. Most strong books will only need one developmental edit and can then move on to the copyedit, but most editors won’t stop you if you want more developmental edits before you continue with the process.
Price
And now we come to the part that I’m sure most authors are worried about: price. How much does an editor cost? Most professional editors are expensive to an author’s budget. Another red flag is if your editor’s price seems too good to be true. But remember, too good to be true and affordable for you are not the same thing. A super cheap developmental edit is a huge red flag, as a developmental edit will usually run several hundred dollars to a thousand depending on how long your MS is, as most prices are based on word count. Copyedits are always cheaper than developmental edits, but that doesn’t mean you can just skip straight to the copyedit because you don’t think you can afford a developmental edit. If you’re serious about publishing, start saving so that you can give your MS the treatment it deserves. And remember: you get what you pay for.
The Aftermath
To be completely honest: when you get your MS back from the editor for the first time, it will hurt. Your pride may take a hit when seeing all that red and all those comments on that Word document, but take a little time to breathe and decompress, then get to hacking and reworking your story. Your editor should want you to succeed as much as you do, so remember that you are both on the same team! You may not agree on every single change, but at least think about their comments. Their job is to make your book better than it was when you sent it to them, so after the sting dies down, hopefully you’ll feel better knowing that you are improving and one step closer to your goal.
Finding an editor may seem scary, and it definitely is, but trust me when I say that getting your book professionally edited and seeing how much your book and your craft can improve is definitely worth it!
AUTHOR | HISTORIAN | ARTIST 