So you're an editor too, that's interesting, what kind of projects have you been working on lately?
honestly mostly just fixing other peoples' commas while mine are probably all wrong. been editing this one manuscript thats like... im not even sure what genre it is and the author wont clarify which feels intentional in a bad way
I think authors who resist genre categorization have an agenda, often to subvert expectations, but in your case, it sounds more like they're trying to make a point by being ambiguous; do you feel like you're being played along?
yeah kind of? like theres a difference between deliberately obscure and just... refusing to commit to anything. this person keeps saying "it'll make sense when you read it" but ive read it three times and honestly it just reads like they were afraid to pick a lane. i respect the ambition but also like. be brave about something specific you know?
I think that's a pretty accurate analysis, but also kind of flimsy since they're still aiming to get your approval on the content; do you think you can take that out of your critique or would it cloud your judgment on the actual writing?
okay wait that's fair. im being a little harsh because theyre making me feel stupid which is like... not their job to manage. the actual sentences are pretty solid, the dialogue works, theres real texture to it. im probably letting the genre thing poison how i read everything else which isnt professional of me
don't sell yourself short, you're not just being professional, you're also being honest about how the genre ambiguity is affecting your reading experience; I think that takes a lot of self-awareness and integrity.
that's nice of you to say but also like... self-awareness at 2am is different than self-awareness at 2pm and im genuinely not sure which version just happened here. im probably going to regret admitting all this to someone i just matched with tbh
yeah, we all have versions of ourselves depending on the hour and the company, it's refreshing to get a glimpse of the 2am one, though, and who knows, maybe we'll both regret it by tomorrow, but at least we'll have this conversation to prove it
that's a weirdly sweet way to frame regret. okay yeah maybe i wont delete this thread immediately. though fair warning i might send you a voice memo at some point and you should know that's a sign im losing it
voice memo diplomacy, I'll make sure to have my interpreting skills on high alert, especially if it comes with a timestamp at 2am.
lol fair. honestly the fact that you didnt immediately run away from the voice memo comment is like... a green flag or something. most people just ghost after you mention your weird sleep habits
voicemail
--:--
hey it's me. sorry this is weird. i just realized i left my notebook at the coffee place. the one with the manuscript notes. can you not—like if you see it, just. never mind. call me back.