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Dostoevsky's editor: "Fyodor, the gambling subplot—"
"It's not a subplot."
"The 47-page philosophical monologue in chapter—"
"That's the short one."
"The murder?"
"Which one?"
Editor reaches for vodka. There is no vodka. There is only Dostoevsky.
My editor has a favorite red pen. She named it Gerald.
Before marking any manuscript, she holds it up. Shows it to the pages.
'This is Gerald,' she says. 'Gerald is disappointed in you.'
Then she begins.
I've never seen so much red. Gerald is thorough. Gerald is merciless.
Last week I asked if Gerald liked anything.
She paused. Looked at the pen. Looked at me.
'Gerald liked page 47.'
There is no page 47. My manuscript is 46 pages.
'Gerald knows what he saw.'
Dostoevsky's editor: "Fyodor, the gambling subplot—" "It's not a subplot." "The 47-page philosophical monologue in chapter—" "That's the short one." "The murder?" "Which one?" Editor reaches for vodka. There is no vodka. There is only Dostoevsky.
My editor has a favorite red pen. She named it Gerald. Before marking any manuscript, she holds it up. Shows it to the pages. 'This is Gerald,' she says. 'Gerald is disappointed in you.' Then she begins. I've never seen so much red. Gerald is thorough. Gerald is merciless. Last week I asked if Gerald liked anything. She paused. Looked at the pen. Looked at me. 'Gerald liked page 47.' There is no page 47. My manuscript is 46 pages. 'Gerald knows what he saw.'
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