Revising for publication
Anyone who has ever been published (or is trying to be) knows all about the push for revisions. You get an invitation to resubmit your manuscript, but you have to revise it first. You're provided with a laundry list of things the editor feels is wrong with your story.
You're sure to experience any number of reactions, which may include one or all of the following: "No way will I change my masterpiece!", "Who the heck does that person think they are?", "If I change all that, the story won't even be the same anymore.", "I feel it's the best I am able to make it already.", etc etc.
The main thing I can suggest once you get all those emotions off your chest is to take a deep breath, step away from the situation for a few days and then read the list again. You may still not agree with all of the points listed, so take it slow. Look for one that you do agree with and then maybe another that you sort of agree with. Read your manuscript, especially in the areas pointed out in the list and try to "see" it with an objective pair of eyes. Does it really work the way it is, or is the editor just crazy? If you truly feel it is perfect the way it is, submit it to another publisher and see what he/she says. I personally feel that no matter how good you think your work it, it can always get better. I have learned the hard way that I can edit and re-edit a dozen times. It won't matter how many times I go through it, I will always miss something. It's beyond frustrating, as it's frustrating to get a laundry list of items that some stranger feels needs to be fixed.
Let's say that you use that laundry list as a writing exercise, just to see what happens. Create a new copy of your work. Give it a new name and prepare to butcher it. Move things around, delete whole sections, starting with the easier items on the list and working your way to the tougher ones. If you get all the way through and still don't agree with the last few items on the list, go through the manuscript again. If you still feel it shouldn't be changed, ignore those parts and submit to the publisher again. Explain that you did the best you could and hope they agree with your revision. They just might feel that enough has changed to make the book worth their readers' time...or you'll get another request for revision. Then it's up to you whether or not you want to buckle down and do those last few changes. I feel that the stories we create are ultimately ours, and we as writers shouldn't be expected to change the entire plot to please just one person. Ultimately, even if the manuscript is turned down, you have a more polished and tight work that another editor just might love.
You're sure to experience any number of reactions, which may include one or all of the following: "No way will I change my masterpiece!", "Who the heck does that person think they are?", "If I change all that, the story won't even be the same anymore.", "I feel it's the best I am able to make it already.", etc etc.
The main thing I can suggest once you get all those emotions off your chest is to take a deep breath, step away from the situation for a few days and then read the list again. You may still not agree with all of the points listed, so take it slow. Look for one that you do agree with and then maybe another that you sort of agree with. Read your manuscript, especially in the areas pointed out in the list and try to "see" it with an objective pair of eyes. Does it really work the way it is, or is the editor just crazy? If you truly feel it is perfect the way it is, submit it to another publisher and see what he/she says. I personally feel that no matter how good you think your work it, it can always get better. I have learned the hard way that I can edit and re-edit a dozen times. It won't matter how many times I go through it, I will always miss something. It's beyond frustrating, as it's frustrating to get a laundry list of items that some stranger feels needs to be fixed.
Let's say that you use that laundry list as a writing exercise, just to see what happens. Create a new copy of your work. Give it a new name and prepare to butcher it. Move things around, delete whole sections, starting with the easier items on the list and working your way to the tougher ones. If you get all the way through and still don't agree with the last few items on the list, go through the manuscript again. If you still feel it shouldn't be changed, ignore those parts and submit to the publisher again. Explain that you did the best you could and hope they agree with your revision. They just might feel that enough has changed to make the book worth their readers' time...or you'll get another request for revision. Then it's up to you whether or not you want to buckle down and do those last few changes. I feel that the stories we create are ultimately ours, and we as writers shouldn't be expected to change the entire plot to please just one person. Ultimately, even if the manuscript is turned down, you have a more polished and tight work that another editor just might love.
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