My Editor Wants Me to Change What??

Honestly, I think that initial fussing is helpful.

It’s kinda like venting. Once you get rid of the fuss by venting it to wonderful, safe people like your spouse or super-cool agent, then you can get to the work of seeing how wrong you were.

*grin*

That’s what I did anyway! And let me tell you, that first one (and only one to date) was brutal.

The word “overhaul” was used.

But in the end, they were right, and my debut novel was tremendously better for all the scalpel incisions and blood transfusions and transplants it received. (puns were totally intended for your benefit!)

Firm but kind feedback is really important if one wants to be seen as a professional. Accepting that feedback is just as important.
My crit peeps are a varied group. My initial experience with feedback came from a fellow writer who knew alot more than I did and did his best to bring me up to speed. The fact that he loved Monty Python was an added bonus!
My husband went thermo-nuclear when he realized I was sharing my MS, but after a month or two, he actually believed that no one was stealing my work. Like, in those early stages, who would??
I can only say good things about any people who’ve read my work and given me feedback. Each of them made valid points that I took to heart.
Well, most of them. There were one or two suggestions that made me laugh. But I won’t name names. That would make the man in the castle all weepy.

Kidding!!

Rachelle, thanks for giving me an opportunity to share my experience here. Your readers may be interested to know that I suggested the title, You Want Cheese With That Whine?

In the interest of fair and balanced reporting (and where have we heard that before?), my editor, my substantive editor, and my beta-reader all were extremely complimentary of the work, in addition to suggesting that it could be even better if I changed the opening and deepened the main character’s motivation. Of course, that meant more work for me, and I suspect that was part of my frustration. After all, when we finish a manuscript, that should be it. Right? Unfortunately…not even close.

Feedback from contests has taught me take objective criticism from others–and made my skin a bit thicker. I may not always like it, and it make take of few days to process. (And definitely includes the indulgence of a decadent dessert. Chocolate, anyone?) But I take their comments seriously and try to change my manuscript if possible because the judges represent editors, agents and potential readers. I want to win them all over.

Loved this, Richard. Don’t we all have to come to terms with constructive feedback/major edits of our stories? I haven’t queried mine yet, but I’ve entered a few contests. At this stage of the writing game, judges’ comments are suggestions that can improve my writing. I can see that, and be grateful for the time they’ve taken to help me improve my ms.

I can imagine it’s more difficult when you turn in a completed book knowing you’ve poured all you had into it and then having it come back with major “suggestions” for improvement. A humble attitude is probably even more important in that situation.

I think I’d probably respond similarly to the way you did–getting the frustration out and then getting to work. I’ll take a note from you, and try to keep them (mostly) to myself–maybe just venting to hubby and my writing mentor.

What a great story and question, Richard!

Yes, I do struggle with criticism. It’s not so much that I take it personal (that does happen sometimes, but not always) as that I have a really hard time wrapping my mind around a change of direction, once I’ve begun work on a project.

Up until I actually begin the project, everything’s fair game, and I am very open to input.

Once decisions have been made and I’ve begun working toward the goal (yes, I’m very goal oriented), I have a really hard time reversing decisions and going a different direction.

BUT…I also realize that the primary purpose of any writing project is to connect and communicate with the reader…and only another reader can tell me whether or not I’ve achieved that goal.

Thanks for the great post!

As both an editor and a writer, I sometimes switch hats on the same day. It can feel like onset vertigo to go from one one call explaining a critique to another defending a piece. But this perspective has helped tremendously, both as a person and as a writer. I understand the intent of the editor and that, in itself has thickened my skin.

That, and beginning my writing career under the scathing lash of an old newsie who took one look at the draft of what would become my first ever published work and said:

“Hmm. I see what you are trying to say here, but let me show you a column on the same topic I wrote about a year ago so you can see what this could be if it were any good.”

Ouch…

Fortunately, there was enough potential behind my travesty of prose that he spent the next year helping me learn how to be a professional. That was nearly 16 years ago and I remember it every time I read something by an aspiring writer that doesn’t quite hit the mark.

I truly believe this is the way it works. Ideally, the sooner we can work through the process the better. And oh, for the spouse and agent who love you enough to understand and forgive, because vent we must.

My novel underwent serious overhaul. I had to cut 40,000 words, change the title, change the name of the town, eliminate all references to Scandinavia (for whatever reason)…and the publisher wanted me to move the setting from South Dakota to Colorado. I got to keep South Dakota, but I didn’t fight any of the rest. I was a good little foot soldier. And I got published. Later, they told me that another potential author fought them at every turn. She did not end up with a book contract. I think my finished product is stronger for having undergone editing. It’s a painful process, sure, but I considered them “growing pains”.

I agree we need to be open and teachable. But having been through the editing process multiple times I have observed that it is pretty subjective. As the relationship with the publisher is strengthened I find that the “editing” decreases dramatically.

I totally believe that a lot of the editing is simply activity to justify the title and position, having little bearing on grammar, syntax – or marketability.

I entered my latest WIP in a contest and the feedback confirmed my worst fear: The beginning of the book reads like a Young Adult novel.

After reading an article in the RWA monthy magazine about not using Backstory unless you know what you’re doing (I’m a new writer), I began to fear that I would never find the solution.

I’m working on rewrite #3, starting the story from a different point in time, but it will require me to use backstory to fill in the very necessary early years.

Thankfully I’m working with a really great freelance editor, so I’m confident that we’ll find the best solution.

I think it’s better to vent to someone you trust (as long as it doesn’t happen too often) because if you hold it inside, you run the risk of spewing angry words to the wrong person at the worst possible time.

OK, Here’s what happened to me. I submitted an article to a peer-reviewed academic journal. My article came back with the 1st reviewers comments and I made the appropriate changes. Then, my article came back again with the 2nd reviewers comments. Once again, I adjusted my writing. When the third reviewer’s comments came, she made recommendations for changes that looked a whole lot like my original writing. Lol! I made the changes. The article was given a final edit in house and published.

Some of my best critique points have come from contests and the judges who gave me a low score but took the time to explain why. One judge told me my heroine did something that made her too stupid to live. And she was right. lol

I used to never be able to take constructive criticism. Thankfully, now I ask my aunt (beta reader) to point out things she thinks is wrong and consider everything she has to say. I want my novel to be perfect (or close to it) before I send it out to agents again.

I’ve about to finally release my debut novel, a YA Paranormal/TimeTravel/First Kiss romance, entitle “I Kissed a Ghost” in about two weeks.
I know it came be a gut-wrenching experience to change, or even worse, to delete something you’ve given birth to.
The feeling becomes worse when it is someone is doing it or telling you to do it.
The most important thing you MUST REMEMBER is all of these changes are necessary if you truly want “this child” to become the success I’ve always hoped it would be.