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[Monchinski]

The editor, here

I have to say, although Eden did have a few issues that needed to be addressed, I really liked it. It's very character-driven, and I got quite attached to the protagonists, even though I was doing my best to concentrate on technical stuff. Everyone had their strengths and their flaws, and these were presented in a very realistic and believeable way. There was also an Irish character, which is awesome.

I also really liked the non-linear structure. The story and the setting unfolded, gradually showing more of itself. What I really, really liked was that there was no info-dumping. As a reader, I was able to glean the vital information about the world from the events and casual dialogue, rather than from the author stepping in to tell us what happened, or the exposition character stepping in to educate the more ignorant souls populating the narrative.

There were also a few scenes where the mundane is strongly contrasted with the horrific, to great effect. The one that really stood out for me was towards the end... with the basket. If you've read Eden, you'll know what I mean.

I'm definitely looking forward to reading the sequel

Thank you Leah and thank you for all your hard work editing this. Your work editing it will make Eden a better novel.  I know it presented challenges. The good news is the sequel will be easier to edit (I think) because the sentence structure will be standard.

Glad you mentioned the info drop think. I figure in a real zombie outbreak most of us will have no idea what is happening and why and will be too busy fighting for our lives to bother about it.

[Monchinski]

Hey, Monchinski, out of curiosity...the bloke who gave you the nasty personal review and accused the positive reviewers of being family members/friends/shills, was his name Novel Moniker?

Because that guy flitted all around Plague's reviews saying the same thing, that all the 4 and 5 star reviews were faked. Ticked me off. I'm not sure why anyone would have cause to say such a thing. I feel for ya.

I do not remember his name. If the criticism had not been so personal it would have hurt more because I would have taken it as reality based and not just some kook with an axe to grind. I don't mind criticism, but there is a way to be critical, right? Persoanl attacks tend to undermine the critic's credibility.

I am sorry you got flamed by that a-hole. I know many of us were raised not to say anything if we cannot say anything nice; unfortunately not everyone appears to have been.

[Diamond]

Personal attacks are definitely unwarranted.  Looking back at my review of Eden, I think I may have been a tad harsh, but I'm still gonna stand by it's general sentiments.  Though perhaps my wording could've been a bit more, shall we say, tactful. 

[Monchinski]

Believe me, I have no problem with someone who reads any book of mine, doesn't like it, and is able to articulate why they didn't like it. I read (and enjoy!) scathing critiques of books every week in various newspapers and journals.

It's the personal attack that discredits the reviewer, not the reviewed. So when that reviewer claimed my family and friends were reviewing the book positively, I don't know where he got that. Since his review was removed an acquantaince of mine did review Eden on Amazon and gave me four stars (not five) and that's cool, but I didn't tell him what to write. I said if you enjoy the book please post a review and explain why you enjoyed the book. Obviously, if he had hated it and decided not to post a review I would have preferred that, but like I said, we're all entitled to our opinions.

And here's another one of my own (opinions): I think people are going to like the Permuted edition of Eden much better. It will read "cleaner" for those who got stalled by the sentence structure. And I guarantee that with the sequel we will avoid any of the issues that came up with the first while playing on the stengths of the first (or so I will try).

[Diamond]

Is the PP version gonna have any 'deleted scenes', or am I gonna have to buy it first to find out?   

[Monchinski]

When I scanned the PP version (scanned because I was paying most attention to reading and addressing Leah's editorial comments) I didn't notice any sections cut out. I am happy about that.

There are the "one-shot" scenes (the scenes that do not deal directly with Harris or the people in Eden; scenes like Officer Tricia Morgan and the hasidic zombie, Buddy's 'origin story', the National Guardsmen/cop shoot out in the skyscraper lobby).

I am glad they are included. I think they give a perspective on the chaos and confusion that would have beeen tough for me to have included without them and would have necessitated the "info drops" Leah mentioned above. I also think they give the reader a break from Harris and the Eden people. I didn't want this book to be all from Harris' perspective, though much of it is.

That said, there will be no one shots in Eden's sequel.

[Leah]

I didn't take any scenes out. I thought each and every one added something to the story. Some showcased characters and their backgrounds, others (the one-shots mentioned) give you a picture of the world, without shoving the information down your throat.

Again, the exposition was handled wonderfully. I wasn't left with questions, and I didn't feel like I was being lectured. To remove any scenes would be to detract from the narrative as a whole.

[Diamond]

No, no, I meant is there anything added in the PP edition, any scenes that didn't make the cut in the first printing?

(Although it's good to know nothing was cut out of this one either.  )

[Monchinski]

No, no, I meant is there anything added in the PP edition, any scenes that didn't make the cut in the first printing?

(Although it's good to know nothing was cut out of this one either.  )

Sorry I misunderstood!

No, nothing was added.

There is one scene that some people have had a problem with and it is the Buddy background scene (meditating in prison). The reason the people gave me (not Jacob or Leah; other people who have read the book) for not liking it is what it did to Buddy for them, how it made them see him.

Speaking with these folks (and this isn't a criticism of them) I found they subscribed to a Manichean view of the world, black or white, good or eveil, with little room for shades of grey, and that when these subtleties were presented it caused them angst.

Although I think it fits into Eden, it is one scene I considered cutting myself. However, when I originally wrote it I figured it would make sense in Eden (after all, we see how extreme situations bring out the best in some, like Buddy, and the worst in others...), and it would definitely gel in the sequel. Oh will it!

[Leah]

I really liked the scene in prison. It blurred the lines, and explained how Buddy was capable of handling a couple of confrontations. It also shows that even in a world filled with zombies, you can better your life.

[aaronseven]

hey T.M., I got your book on a whim and ended up enjoying it alot especially the way your main character narrates. it kinda reminded me of "kerouac" only with zombies. i look forward to more of your books.

[Rhiannon Frater]

Reviews are always tricky things.  So much of a review is based on the personal preferences of the reader that you have to not take it too personally.

Recently, one of my reviews knocked a certain event and a homage to a staple of zombie fiction.  I found this amusing, because I had just received a comment from a reader saying how much he loved that certain event and tons of other readers (over the years) loved the homage.  I just let it slide off of me.

Being a writer is not easy.  It is just not about getting the story down, but dealing with the aftermath of releasing it to the readers for their consumption.  I'm a lot better now than I was originally when it comes to reviews.  I try and learn from legit critiques and ignore the obvious troll. 

I’ve been writing a very long time, but I am far from perfect.  But I do know I can tell a kick ass story.

Good luck with the new edition of your book!  I cannot wait to see it.  I’m sure it will rawk!

[Monchinski]

Aaronseven--
Thanks for the compliment!
Funny you mention JacK Kerouac. I love the stories of the Beats, Jack, Neil, Burroughs, Ginsberg, Corso, et. al.
The beginning of Eden lays the groundwork for a meta-story I will continue in the sequel, a meta-story inspired, in part, by the Jack-Neil relationship. Originally the Buddy character was going to be called Cassady but I already have a Cassady character in another (as yet unpublished) novel.
I actually enjoy reading more about the Beats than stuff by them.

[Monchinski]

Thank you Gothgoddess!
Yes, hopefully we write for the love of writing...but once we get published a whole new ball game unfolds before us.
Like you, I am confident in my abilities; but I am also aware that readers (including myself) are fickle and what floats one's boat won't necessarily float another's.