How to ride the revision-go-round
Not trying to brag here, but I know my way around revisions. (In other words, I suck at first drafts.) I edited CITY OF SHADOWS once through before I submitted to agents. Once I signed with Michelle, there were about five local revisions in which I rewrote good chunks of the book. And finally I did two polish edits where we revised typos, clunky dialogue, and unclear descriptions.
Yes: this means I revised CoS about eight times. Which also means that I totally understand how aggravating, hair-raising and heart-breaking the revision process can be. That is why I have a created a beginner’s guide to riding the revision-go-round.
1. In the immortal words of Douglas Adams: Don’t panic.
Whether you’re tackling your edits on your own or you have comments from an agent or beta-reader, remember to stay calm. Read through their advice carefully. Then read it again. Then, after choking back the little voice that’s screaming “WHATEVER BEOTCH I’M THE BESTEST WRITER EVER,” ask yourself objectively how you can apply their edits to your manuscript. There is probably some merit in every suggestion. And if you still disagree with their comments, don’t freak out - you don’t have to take their advice. This is your book, after all.
2. One step at a time.
Don’t try to edit the manuscript at once. Take it one character at a time, or one chapter at a time, or one theme at a time. If your love interest needs some flaws to make him more realistic, worry about your love interest before you tackle that clunky scene or the cheesy climax. If you think the main problem with your book is the length, try cutting unnecessary word count before you freak over the typos. Don’t overwhelm yourself.
3. Don’t rush it.
This is not a race. This is a revision. Take your time - even if you’re editing for an agent, he/she will understand that you might need a while to think on their suggestions and figure out the best way to apply them. If you rush through the first round of edits, you might just find yourself doing a whole lot more.
4. Repeat after me: this does not mean you suck.
Everyone has to revise at some point. No one on the planet who writes a perfect first draft. That fact that you need one or two or twenty rounds of revision to get your book right means that you are hella patient and strong and persevering; you are NOT a failure. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.
For those of you who are in the process of revising, I hoped this helps! Good luck! And if you have any funny/horrifying stories about revision, feel free to post them in the comments. We will all commiserate. :D
Yes: this means I revised CoS about eight times. Which also means that I totally understand how aggravating, hair-raising and heart-breaking the revision process can be. That is why I have a created a beginner’s guide to riding the revision-go-round.
1. In the immortal words of Douglas Adams: Don’t panic.
Whether you’re tackling your edits on your own or you have comments from an agent or beta-reader, remember to stay calm. Read through their advice carefully. Then read it again. Then, after choking back the little voice that’s screaming “WHATEVER BEOTCH I’M THE BESTEST WRITER EVER,” ask yourself objectively how you can apply their edits to your manuscript. There is probably some merit in every suggestion. And if you still disagree with their comments, don’t freak out - you don’t have to take their advice. This is your book, after all.
2. One step at a time.
Don’t try to edit the manuscript at once. Take it one character at a time, or one chapter at a time, or one theme at a time. If your love interest needs some flaws to make him more realistic, worry about your love interest before you tackle that clunky scene or the cheesy climax. If you think the main problem with your book is the length, try cutting unnecessary word count before you freak over the typos. Don’t overwhelm yourself.
3. Don’t rush it.
This is not a race. This is a revision. Take your time - even if you’re editing for an agent, he/she will understand that you might need a while to think on their suggestions and figure out the best way to apply them. If you rush through the first round of edits, you might just find yourself doing a whole lot more.
4. Repeat after me: this does not mean you suck.
Everyone has to revise at some point. No one on the planet who writes a perfect first draft. That fact that you need one or two or twenty rounds of revision to get your book right means that you are hella patient and strong and persevering; you are NOT a failure. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.
For those of you who are in the process of revising, I hoped this helps! Good luck! And if you have any funny/horrifying stories about revision, feel free to post them in the comments. We will all commiserate. :D