Thursday, April 14, 2011

Editors Revision Letter - Anticipation or Dread?

I've recently had a few writer friends about to publish their first books mention how nerve wracking it is waiting for the revision letter to come from their editor. I can totally sympathize because when I was waiting for the revision letter for ILLEGALLY BLONDE I truly did not know what to expect. Even when you talk to your editor beforehand and they assure you that it won't be horrible, that they are there to help you work through it, you can't help but picture a massive evisceration of your novel coming at you at some point and you being left to put the torn apart body back in some manner that won't make your book look like Frankenstein's monster. Well, even though I'm by no means an old hand at this publishing game, I am now waiting for the revision letter for my second book, THE BREAK, to come sometime in the next few weeks and this time around, let me tell you, I am totally NOT dreading it. In fact, I am completely, one hundred percent, looking forward to it. Am I nuts? I don't think so. Let me explain.

A revision letter is actually a wonderful, exciting thing to receive. It is a gift. If it's from an editor you trust and with whom you enjoy communicating it is - or should be - a fascinating dialogue about your book. If you love your book, why wouldn't you love talking about it? Dissecting it? Looking at it from different angles. Yes, tearing it apart might be hard but a good editor (and I've been very lucky to have worked with a very good editor) will give you a blueprint. Sort of like an architect and a builder working together to make this book the most beautiful house it can be. Now note that I said 'working together'. This is key. In no way could I have worked with a dictatorial process. "You must remove this scene. You will change this character from a male to a female. You must make the ending a happy one, not the tear-jerker you have now." No. Working together means that the suggestions and questions an editor has of your story should be just that: suggestions and questions. And, for the writer's part, you should be open to all suggestions and willing to answer/consider all questions. As for whether you accept or reject suggestions, a writer has the ultimate responsibility to their story. I'm not advocating a writer dutifully say: "Oh, yes. You think that scene would be much better if those secondary characters were gone? Okay. I'll do that." Don't accept changes without thinking about them and what they would do to your story.

The writer should always have a reason to accept or reject a suggestion. Do you believe, as your editor has suggested, that the secondary characters clutter the scene with too much dialogue, taking away from the emotional impact of the heroine confronting the hero? Or do you believe that having the secondary characters there, watching the train wreck of a relationship crumbling in front of them, will make the scene more impactful for the reader? Whatever you decide, keeping them or letting them go, give the reasons for your decision to your editor. It may be enough for the editor to say: "Okay. Glad we agree." or "Hmm. I didn't think of that. Maybe you're right." or "Are you sure? Because if you do keep them then…" - and the dialogue will continue.

The other reason I'm anticipating getting that revision letter is simply because I LOVE revision. I hate first drafts and I'm in the middle of one now that is beating my butt so maybe that's why I'm looking forward to working on revisions. The chance to work on a novel that is 'finished' so to speak but that will benefit from some spit and polish is exciting to me. It makes me feel like there's progress being made. It's the decorating phase of the house build. All the boring wiring, plumbing, drywall, etc has been done. Now it's time to paint, select the right furniture, place it just so to make that house really show off well (You can tell I'm in the middle of a house reno right now, can't you?:))

So, to all my friends waiting for those letters or who have just received them: embrace this part of the process, don't dread it. It means your book is getting so close to being published!! What's to dread about that?

13 comments:

  1. I understand what you're saying -- in concept -- but I'm still kind of biting my nails as I wait for my first editorial letter. All I've heard from my editor so far is how much she loves my book and my characters. Which is fantastic, of course, but I KNOW there are things that will require a little plastic surgery. I just hope I'll be a skilled enough surgeon to do the job right.

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  2. Nelsa, you are a sick, sick woman and need professional help...QUICKLY!

    Just kidding, my friend. I think it's fantastic that you love revising. And you do it so well!

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  3. I really appreciate this post because all I've heard on the subject so far is that people wanted to faint when they got it! :D Not there yet, but now I feel a bit more comfortable about the situation.

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  4. I love revision and hate first drafts, too. Revision letters are a combination of challenge and encouragement from our own personal cheerleaders. What could be better?

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  5. Hi Linda! Oh, sweetie, I completely understand. I think it's the fear of the unknown. You will be totally fine once you've got it. Promise.

    Hi Steph! Okay, I know. It is slightly sick isn't it? Maybe you can get me to finally love first drafts one day.

    Hi Lisa! I'm so glad I was able to give you the positive side to the story. :) I'm sure when you get your first letter you will handle it beautifully!

    Hi Caroline! Yay! Another Revision lover. I was thinking I was the only one :)

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  6. I love writing first drafts. I don't mind revision - especially when I'm at the end of it! I look forward to the day of receiving an editorial letter. I would see it as a gift - to improve my writing and my story! Good luck this time around, Nelsa!

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  7. Thanks, Laura! I'm definitely having a more zen approach to this upcoming letter. First times are always more nerve-wracking! And what's the trick, please, on loving first drafts?? :)

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  8. That's been my experience too - I completely relate! Like you, it may be partly that the editors I've worked with have all been really wonderful. (Often editors are writers too, so they really do know how we're feeling and what we're going through!) But I've come to love revision emails. Editors are there to help us release our work into the world in the very best shape possible and that's what their suggestions are for. I value each and every one! Lovely post, Nelsa :)

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  9. Anytime I get a crit from someone--editor, beta reader, etc.--I'm shocked at first and then I become very appreciative that a person is helping me shape up my manuscript. So, I sit on the letter for a few days and then dive into action.

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  10. Hi Anna! Glad to see another revision lover here.We might need to start a fan club! :)

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  11. Hi Medeia! Yes, there is that first visceral emotion of "what?? You don't think my baby's perfect??" but that quickly goes away when you realize what a goldmine of revision you have in front of you.

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  12. I think editor letters can overwhelming at first. My natural reaction to any critique is "What? Are you kidding me?" After I calm down, I see how the comments make sense. But I have to go through that initial panic before I can see clearly.

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  13. Hi Kelly: Yup, I think that visceral reaction of "No! I have to change all THAT??" can be overwhelming. It's when the panic doesn't subside that you know you're in trouble.

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