Caveat Scriptor
Let the would-be writer beware! Anyone foolhardy enough to embark on a career as a writer – whether it be an academic treatise, a novel, or even an article – should first read this!
People think that writing as a profession is glamorous; that it is just about sitting down and churning out words on a page, or more likely these days on a computer screen. If only it were! So what exactly does writing a book entail? Being a writer is about managing a galaxy of contradictory feelings: elation, despair, hope, frustration, satisfaction and depression-and not all separately! Of course, it also involves carrying out detailed research: first to establish whether there is a market for the planned publication, and second what should be the content of the book. Sometimes, however, instinct takes the place of market research and the contents are dictated not by plans and exhaustive research, but by experience and knowledge.
Once the publication has been embarked upon, there is a long period of turmoil as the text takes shape. A first draft is rarely the final text of the book. Nearly all books are the result of countless hours of altering and re-ordering chunks of text and deleting the superfluous bits. While some people might think that with new’ technology the checking and editing process is sped up, the experienced writer would hardly agree. Unfortunately, advanced technology now allows the writer the luxury of countless editing’s; a temptation many writers find hard to resist. So a passage, endlessly re-worked may end up nothing remotely like the original, and completely out of place when compared with the rest of the text.
After the trauma of self-editing and looking for howlers, it is time to show the text to other people, friends perhaps, for appraisal. At this stage, it is not wise to send it off to a literary agent or direct to publishers, as it may need further fine-tuning of which the author is unaware. Once an agent has been approached and has rejected a draft publication, it is difficult to go and ask for the re vamped text to be considered again. It also helps, at this stage, to offer a synopsis of the book, if it is a novel, or an outline if it is a textbook. This acts as a guide for the author, and a general reference for friends and later for agents.
Although it is tempting to send the draft to every possible agent at one time, it is probably unwise. Some agents may reject the publication out of hand, but others may proffer some invaluable advice, for example about content or the direction to be taken, information such as this may be of use in finally being given a contract by an agent or publisher.
The lucky few taken on by publishers or agents, then have their books subjected to a number of readers, whose job it is to vet a book: deciding whether it is worth publishing and whether the text as it stands is acceptable or not. After a book has finally been accepted by a publisher, one of the greatest difficulties for the writer lies in taking on board the publisher’s alterations to the text. Whilst the overall story and thrust of the book may be acceptable, it will probably have to conform to an in-house style, as regards language, spelling and punctuation. More seriously, the integrity of the text may be challenged, and this may require radical re-drafting which is usually unpalatable to the author. A books creation period is complex and unnerving, but the publisher’s reworkings and text amputations can also be a tortuous process.
For many writers, the most painful period comes when the text has been accepted, and the writer is wailing for it to be put together for the printer. By this stage, it is not uncommon for the writer to be thoroughly sick of the text.
Abandon writing? Nonsense. Once smitten, it is not easy to escape the compulsion to create and write, despite the roller-coaster ride of contradictory emotions.
SECTION 2: QUESTIONS 14-27
Questions 14-21
Complete the summary below using words from the box.
Write your answers in boxes 14-21 on your answer sheet.
People often associate writing with 14 ________________. But being a writer involves managing conflicting emotions as well as 15 ________________ and instinct. Advanced technology, contrary to what might be thought, does not make the 16 ________________ faster. When a writer has a draft of the text ready, it is a good idea to have a 17 ________________ for friends and agents to look at. If an author is accepted by a publisher, the draft of the book is given to 18 ________________ for vetting. 19 ________________ are then often made, which are not easy for the writer to agree. However, 20 ________________ compelling, even though there are 21 ________________.
| editing process | beware | first draft | glamour | a literary agent |
| alterations | profession | publisher | challenges | writing |
| dictating | research | publishing | summary | ups and downs |
| roller-coaster | readers |
Questions 22-23
Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.
Write your answers in boxes 22-23 on your answer sheet.
22In the planning stages of a book,
Ainstinct can replace market research.
Bmarket research can replace instinct.
Cmarket research is essential.
Dinstinct frequently replaces market research.
23The problem with the use of advanced technology in editing is that
Ait becomes different from the original.
Bit is unfortunate.
Cit is a luxury.
Dmany writers cannot resist changing the text again and again
Questions 24-27
Complete the sentences below with words taken from Reading Passage 2.
Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 24-27 on your answer sheet.
Once a text is finished, the writer needs to get the 24 ________________ of other people.
Some agents may reject the draft of a book, while others may offer 25 ________________
Apart from the need for a draft to conform to an in-house style, a publisher’s changes to a text may include 26 ________________
The publisher’s alterations to a book are difficult for a writer, as is the 27 ________________ as the book grows.
答案及定位请付费后查阅：
