When Among Crows was a great novella. It was creepy, but in a good way. I would have personally enjoyed reading this deleted scene in the book, but I have also enjoyed it just as it is. The audiobook is done very well, too, and I strongly recommend that anyone listen to it if they can. I had very little knowledge about Polish folklore, but now I find it to be quite interesting and look forward to learning more. Thank you for another great read, Veronica. I can't wait to hear what you have in store for us next!
I read the book and enjoyed it. I'm no expert, but I think you should have included this scene. It shows us an almost mischievous (fun) side of Dymitr's personality early on and teases that he is not a mere mortal. I believe this scene also sets up the next scene, where he meets the leszy.
As I said, I'm no expert, but I think that you, as the writer, have a vision of the story you want to tell and how you want to tell it, despite what others may suggest. I have a feeling you like this scene and want us (the readers) to experience it. I am curious, though, if I'm right or not in my suspicion, whether it was your decision to cut the scene or someone else's decision. And, as always, I look forward to your next book! Thank you for sharing your imagination with us.
There's a kind of misconception that authors are subject to the authority of editors and have to do what their editors tell them-- I don't blame people for it because I think our industry is pretty opaque and it's hard to know how things work! But I do want to clarify that I've never done anything in any of my books because an editor "made" me-- that's just not how the relationship works. They offer critiques and sometimes suggestions and I consider them carefully because I trust their perspective, but the decisions are entirely my own. Some authors feel more pressure to please their editors because their publishing situations are more precarious, but I have the great privilege of never having been in that position.
So that is all to say, this scene isn't in When Among Crows because I decided the story was stronger without it. I agree with you that it showcases some of Dymitr's mischief in a way that doesn't show up in the final version-- but it also hits a lot of the same beats as his scene with the leszy (showing up somewhere that he's not expected, proving himself to be not a mere mortal, establishing the start of his quest and a hint of his desperation to complete it, etc.), but the scene with the leszy is more integral to the plot, given that it leads to the fern flower. I also really like his dynamic with the leszy and the way the leszy talks! So that's the reason I decided to delete this one. It's certainly not a bad scene and it's not that it serves NO purpose, but even things you like sometimes don't produce the strongest version of the story.
Anyway I'm really glad you read the book and enjoyed it, hope you don't mind my longer response here! Again, I don't expect people to know what my relationship is like with my editor, but I like when I get the opportunity to explain it more fully.
Thank you for responding. I was genuinely curious as I publish independently and have no experience with the traditional publishing world. I am happy that it was your decision because when I read one of your books, I want to experience the story as you intended it to be told, warts and all. Thanks again, have a great day.
When Among Crows was a great novella. It was creepy, but in a good way. I would have personally enjoyed reading this deleted scene in the book, but I have also enjoyed it just as it is. The audiobook is done very well, too, and I strongly recommend that anyone listen to it if they can. I had very little knowledge about Polish folklore, but now I find it to be quite interesting and look forward to learning more. Thank you for another great read, Veronica. I can't wait to hear what you have in store for us next!
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
I read the book and enjoyed it. I'm no expert, but I think you should have included this scene. It shows us an almost mischievous (fun) side of Dymitr's personality early on and teases that he is not a mere mortal. I believe this scene also sets up the next scene, where he meets the leszy.
As I said, I'm no expert, but I think that you, as the writer, have a vision of the story you want to tell and how you want to tell it, despite what others may suggest. I have a feeling you like this scene and want us (the readers) to experience it. I am curious, though, if I'm right or not in my suspicion, whether it was your decision to cut the scene or someone else's decision. And, as always, I look forward to your next book! Thank you for sharing your imagination with us.
There's a kind of misconception that authors are subject to the authority of editors and have to do what their editors tell them-- I don't blame people for it because I think our industry is pretty opaque and it's hard to know how things work! But I do want to clarify that I've never done anything in any of my books because an editor "made" me-- that's just not how the relationship works. They offer critiques and sometimes suggestions and I consider them carefully because I trust their perspective, but the decisions are entirely my own. Some authors feel more pressure to please their editors because their publishing situations are more precarious, but I have the great privilege of never having been in that position.
So that is all to say, this scene isn't in When Among Crows because I decided the story was stronger without it. I agree with you that it showcases some of Dymitr's mischief in a way that doesn't show up in the final version-- but it also hits a lot of the same beats as his scene with the leszy (showing up somewhere that he's not expected, proving himself to be not a mere mortal, establishing the start of his quest and a hint of his desperation to complete it, etc.), but the scene with the leszy is more integral to the plot, given that it leads to the fern flower. I also really like his dynamic with the leszy and the way the leszy talks! So that's the reason I decided to delete this one. It's certainly not a bad scene and it's not that it serves NO purpose, but even things you like sometimes don't produce the strongest version of the story.
Anyway I'm really glad you read the book and enjoyed it, hope you don't mind my longer response here! Again, I don't expect people to know what my relationship is like with my editor, but I like when I get the opportunity to explain it more fully.
Thank you for responding. I was genuinely curious as I publish independently and have no experience with the traditional publishing world. I am happy that it was your decision because when I read one of your books, I want to experience the story as you intended it to be told, warts and all. Thanks again, have a great day.