Also Called: "Editing And Revising a Book You Haven't Looked at in a Year or More"
The good news? The publisher I send the manuscript to responded positively, saying he "loved the story" and sent me some initial edits to examine before it's handed over to his editors. There will, therefore, be some work to do on the novel.
That brings up a question I get asked sometimes: how do you deal with editorial changes suggested to you?
The people at EDGE publishing have been professional with me on this front, which I should add is by no means a guarantee in the field. Their editors have worked with me to strengthen whatever manuscripts I've sent their way, and in both cases so far (Beltrunner and Silent Manifest) I've felt their suggestions ultimately led to better works.
Still, that doesn't mean we always agree on changes. Other than obvious errors or typographical mistakes (we try to keep that down to zero, but somehow a few manage to creep in) the edits mostly come down to style and clarity issues. I have a tendency to be a bit long-winded (yes, it's true, despite the brevity and clarity of this and other blog posts. (I also can sometimes get trapped in too many asides (sometimes even writing asides to asides (like this one) or using punctuation overmuch--I love the dash)) so efforts to bring me back to more direct narration are helpful.
I think I tend to be accepting and open to improvement, though I will sometimes stand on a point of style that I feel matters. I don't think I am a particularly flashy or stylish writer--I don't seem to have the knack for it--but when I do manage to put words together in an impressive manner I like to hang on to them.
So far, the rewrites have not been plot- or character-based, but I suppose that may change when the editorial group gets their hands on the manuscript.
Lastly, for any of my students who may be reading--you may have groaned at writing draft after draft to respond to my comments about your essays. Well, you can bask in the fiery glow of vengeance now as you realize I, too, have to revise my writing based on comments I received. Cold comfort, perhaps, but hey, it's what I have to offer.
Be seeing you!
The good news? The publisher I send the manuscript to responded positively, saying he "loved the story" and sent me some initial edits to examine before it's handed over to his editors. There will, therefore, be some work to do on the novel.
That brings up a question I get asked sometimes: how do you deal with editorial changes suggested to you?
The people at EDGE publishing have been professional with me on this front, which I should add is by no means a guarantee in the field. Their editors have worked with me to strengthen whatever manuscripts I've sent their way, and in both cases so far (Beltrunner and Silent Manifest) I've felt their suggestions ultimately led to better works.
Still, that doesn't mean we always agree on changes. Other than obvious errors or typographical mistakes (we try to keep that down to zero, but somehow a few manage to creep in) the edits mostly come down to style and clarity issues. I have a tendency to be a bit long-winded (yes, it's true, despite the brevity and clarity of this and other blog posts. (I also can sometimes get trapped in too many asides (sometimes even writing asides to asides (like this one) or using punctuation overmuch--I love the dash)) so efforts to bring me back to more direct narration are helpful.
I think I tend to be accepting and open to improvement, though I will sometimes stand on a point of style that I feel matters. I don't think I am a particularly flashy or stylish writer--I don't seem to have the knack for it--but when I do manage to put words together in an impressive manner I like to hang on to them.
So far, the rewrites have not been plot- or character-based, but I suppose that may change when the editorial group gets their hands on the manuscript.
Lastly, for any of my students who may be reading--you may have groaned at writing draft after draft to respond to my comments about your essays. Well, you can bask in the fiery glow of vengeance now as you realize I, too, have to revise my writing based on comments I received. Cold comfort, perhaps, but hey, it's what I have to offer.
Be seeing you!
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