Comments on: Revisions

By: David B. Coe

David B. Coe — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 17:56:37 +0000

Good! Don’t quit. You’re right in thinking that if there’s a section of your story or book that keeps on tripping up readers, you probably need to rework the section. But you also raise an important point. This is YOUR story, and in the end, whether you’re dealing with a writing group or a professional editor, YOU need to decide how it’s going to be written.

If you have a problem section that lots of people identify but no one knows how to fix (or for which no one offers fixes that you like) you need to rework the passage on your own. It may be that you can draw on specific elements of different critiques. Good ideas don’t necessarily come in clusters, if you follow. One person might say a bunch of worthless crap about your story, but within that crap there might be one little gem of good advice. You need to sift through it all, decide which pieces are gems and which ones to throw away. Ultimately it’s your choice, your piece of art. It is frustrating, and it’s not easy. As Tom Hanks says in “League of Their Own,” “Of course it’s hard. If it was easy everyone would do it. It’s the hard that makes it great.”

Good luck!

By: C.S. Cole

C.S. Cole — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 05:11:56 +0000

I’m still in the “I dread revision” stage but what really gives me grief is trying to sort through critique group suggestions and comments that, seemingly to me, sound like they want a completely different short story from the one I wrote. I often comptete the line changes suggested but entire plot courses off my chosen path are another matter for me.

I know I don’t necessarily have to agree with the changes suggested but where does one draw the line? Where does one stand ground on what was originally written if one has a gut feel that it would be better left alone? I also know that if readers and critiquers alike keep stumbling over the same parts time and again, that’s a good sign the scene needs work but when no one can agree which part is flawed, it’s frustrating. (I’m still not quitting though.)

By: David B. Coe

David B. Coe — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:42:29 +0000

I’m not certain that I’d go as far as Kate and Maria do here. I can’t say that I like revising more than I do writing the first draft. There’s something about that act of creation, of discovery, that I just love. But revision has its own rewards. And the key, as Maria implies, is having an editor who not only understands what it is I’m trying to do with my book, but also can help me tease out elements of the story that deserve more exploration.

By: Kate Elliott

Kate Elliott — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:04:10 +0000

I used to prefer writing first draft for the rush of it all, and did not so much enjoy the revision process. Now I’m the opposite: I often struggle with the first draft (never quite able to get that pure rush of forward motion I used to have for first drafts) but I really adore the revision process. I really like getting editorial comments because it’s just more wrestling with the beast to get it in shape.

By: Maria

Maria — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 23:35:20 +0000

Revision is my favorite part of writing. I’m in round two of edits with my editor and I feel like she’s opened my eyes.

Even though it was a pretty clean manuscript technically, she raised issues that helped me kick the story up a notch.

I love my editor. Whatever she makes, it isn’t enough.

By: David B. Coe

David B. Coe — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:45:09 +0000

Laura, you’re right in thinking that family and friends don’t always make the best editors. You want to work with someone who respects you enough to be completely honest in their assessment of your work. And you need to trust his or her judgment on these matters. It’s a complicated relationship and it takes time to develop. But guidance and criticism from a good editor are priceless.

Steve, once again I have the sense that we have very similar approaches to this part of the process. It’s like you’re my artistic doppelganger…..

By: S.L. Farrell

S.L. Farrell — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:37:01 +0000

I love the revision process — it’s where a good book can become a great one. Like you, I feel lucky to have an editor that has, for every book I’ve written for me, given me an “Aha!” moment with her editorial comments. Yep, we don’t always agree, and I sometimes go another direction rather than taking her suggestion for a fix, but that process is invaluable.

By: Laura Castelli

Laura Castelli — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:41:28 +0000

I am glad to know that editors are friends.

I am in the learning stages of writing and my family and friends don’t make good editors. They love me too much and they don’t want to discourage me from trying.

Although at this stage of my learning curve, some constructive critism would be more help than hurt.