Honestly, Susie, I’m not sure much happens between editors and writers- as in, I think there is less editing done all the time because budgets are being cut and profit is paramount. Still, when it comes to plot overload, it doesn’t seem as if it should be that difficult to tell a writer to cut a plotline when there are 4.

You are right about The Italian Party- I just couldn’t tell what it was supposed to be and so fall into one camp or another. Something I think an editor could have helped with.

Thank you so much! This is one of those topics that can make me white hot with fury, but then I feel bad for the writer because I don’t have the guts to put a novel out there myself so I don’t want to eviscerate someone else’s work. Having said that, I also feel as if it’s like everything to do with writing- fewer and fewer people want to pay for it. I mean, why can’t we earn money at reviewing books? Publishers are desperate for profit and so cut corners.

I feel you- that’s why I chose it, even when I thought the title might be a step too far. The bones were there (pun intended, of course!), but she goes overboard with plot. The premise is already out there so restraint was needed but didn’t happen.

I feel as if it’s one more aspect of writing that no one wants to pay for. As if spell check is enough. It makes me stabby.

The Murdered Children book does sound like a bit of a train wreck, so thanks for giving me a book I don’t need to read. I felt a little differently about The Italian Party and I think it’s because I looked at it more as the screw ball comedy you mentioned. The name dropping went right by me.