How to Face Writing Revision

So, you’ve written your book, polished it, rewrote it to perfection and you’ve actually gotten a contract to publish. Congratulations!

But you're not done yet.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• book under contract
• editor
• patience
• vision
• persistence

1. 
   photo by Sarah Sturtevant

   “What?” you say, “not done? I wrote and rewrote, polished and they bought the book, how could I not be done?”

2. 

   Well, putting aside promotion for the moment (you have that coming as well), your work with the book still isn’t done. Your publisher ‘loved it”, said it was “wonderful”, said it was “perfect”. Now it’s time for the revision. And if it makes you feel any better it’s just as true for the old hand as for the new writer. Revisions simply are a thorn in the side of any writer. But, they go with the job. You’re probably going to get a list of revisions from an editor.

3. Now, here’s the trick. Unless a requested change alters your voice or rips the guts out of the story you’re telling, read the list and do it. If you have a real problem, call the editor and talk it out, don’t sit and brood.

4. 

   Most editors worth their salt won’t tell you to take something out or put something in or give you direct ‘orders’. Generally it’s more like pointing out something that doesn’t work or some big-picture issue. Hopefully your editor will have a perceptive eye, be very good, and offer some great suggestions and guidelines that will ultimately (if you’re honest) improve your book even more. And isn’t that what you want?

5. 

   So try to keep an open mind and a critical eye of your own focused on your work. Think about what’s being said by your editor, ponder why something doesn’t appear to be working for him or her. These are editors, not writers. So, address their concerns and find your own solutions in your ‘writer zone’. Usually I don’t have a lot of conversation with my editor during revisions. Usually I simply dive in and get to work. If you have a legitimate concern or problem, get in touch. Otherwise, editors are busy people and you don’t have to keep them appraised minute by minute.

6. Oh, and by the way, most titles are lost in publication. It is unusual for a publisher to retain the original title you came up with. And, who knows, during the process, you may hone a title you find to be much better yourself.

7. 

   But, in the end, remember, it really is your book. The end goal of revisions is improvement of the book for the reader and to boost your sales, not to make your editor happy. The most drastic thing you can do if you are at a total impasse is to buy your book back, but who wants to do that, really?

8. 

   Work with your editor and the revisions and in the end you may well be in for a happy surprise.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient. Step back and consider.
• Call your editor or email when you have real questions or concerns
• the goal is to make the book even better
• Don't be adversarial with your editor

Resources

• The definition of editing
• Proofreading - the OWL at Purdue

[eac913]

on 10/4/2009 This article on facing writing revision is excellent. Thanks.

[mralarcon]

on 6/25/2009 How to Face Writing Revision
good info thanks

[jenng]

on 5/19/2009 Great article on face writing revision 5*

[bethandlee]

on 3/23/2009 Working with your editor is essential but make sure that the book you wanted to write is still in there! We've had it both ways. (one with the voice we wanted and one with what the editor wanted) Each turned out different than we expected...in a good way! :) Thanks for all the great advice. 5*

[betterbody]

on 3/21/2009 Good points in How to Face Revision. 5*s