Monday, November 18, 2019

The (Dreaded?) Revision Letter



I remember my first revision letter like it was yesterday. Page after page from my editor at Love Inspired that showed up in my inbox soon after I had received “THE CALL.”

How could there be so many things wrong with my manuscript? After all, on the phone she had sounded so positive. Had I misunderstood her?

The letter mentioned “lingering concerns,” and both characters needed a lot of work. Then came the line notes…bullet point after bullet point. Three pages of them.

I wasn’t devastated, but my balloon of glee definitely deflated a bit. I worried that I was never going to be able to sign that contract. 

My Debut Novel

Fast forward seven years….

Last week I received the revision letter for my most recent book, Softly Blows the Bugle, which is scheduled to be released Fall 2020. I had been looking forward to this letter from my editor at Revell and had been checking my email daily. I was anxious to get started on it!

What made the change?

After seven years, I had gained experience and grown as a writer.

As a newbie, I hadn't been sure I was in the right place. I felt like an imposter, and when I was found out…well…my career would be over before it started.

Do I see heads nodding? I think most new authors feel that way.

And being a newly published author isn’t like anything I had ever done before. The learning curve was a steep one! In that first year, I was trying to stuff so much information into my head that it literally hurt. But I just kept eating up whatever I could learn. 



But back to revision letters.

Yes, the editor’s comments might hurt a little at first. But if you keep the following points in mind, you’ll soon learn to look forward to your own revision letters. 




1) Remember that very few people have looked at your manuscript before you sent it to your editor. 

If you’re part of a critique group or have a critique partner, you’ve already received their feedback. (I’ve learned that I don’t work well with critique partners. I’m the only one who has seen my story before I send it to my editor.) But no matter how many people have read your story before this point, your editor is the one who matters.

If you are publishing traditionally, she or he is the representative of your publishing house, and she reads your manuscript with her foot in both worlds – yours and the house’s. She has an eye for your story that no one else can have.

If you are publishing independently, hire your editor carefully – and by all means, hire an editor! You get what you pay for, and a quality editing job is worth every penny.

Either way, your editor is not only a different set of eyes, she is also a professional set of eyes. Her advice is valuable and should never be taken lightly. You might disagree with a point, and you can bring that up with her, but for the most part you should listen to her. 




2) Understand that what is in your head doesn’t always translate onto the manuscript well.

When I’m writing a scene, I visualize it first. It’s as if I’m watching a movie of the action. As I write, I go back to that visualization frame by frame. What sounds do my characters hear? Where did she place her hand? What was the expression on his face?

But even though I know exactly what I’m seeing when I write down those words, sometimes it doesn’t translate to another person’s mind.

An aside here – isn’t that the magic of writing? Using your words to show your readers what your mind sees? It gives me goosebumps! 


My editor is the one who will put a question mark in the margins, or say something like “what is going on here?” That’s when I know I haven’t communicated clearly.

Read that again: If my editor doesn’t understand what I’ve written, it isn’t her fault. It’s mine. I’m the communicator. If my words aren’t clear, then I need to rewrite them! 




3) Your story is no longer your baby.

We all know how hard we work on our stories. We spend months thinking about them, researching ideas, developing characters, working out plot points, and writing, writing, writing.

But there comes the time when you must let them go. Once I hit “send,” my story now belongs to my publisher, and soon to the world.

It is no longer part of me. It is its own entity.

Much like our real babies. When they’re young, they are ours. But before long, we realize that they are no longer part of us – they grow into their own identities.

Think how tragic it is when a mother doesn’t allow her child to grow into an adult mentally or emotionally. Now translate that image to your story. What good will your story be to others if it is never published?

That’s what happens too many times. Some authors can’t make any changes to their stories once they write “The End.” They refuse to take advice from their critique partners or their editors. They refuse to let their stories go beyond what they think is the best possible version.

But when you write "The End," your story isn't finished yet. Keep in mind that you want your story to make its way into the world. You want your story to impact lives. You want your story to make a difference.

How can it do that if its still tied to your apron strings? How can it do that if you don’t allow your editor to suggest changes that will take your story from good to great?



We all respond to revision letters differently, but I hope you will see that letter as an affirmation of your talent (after all, no editor is going to waste time trying to fix an un-fixable story!) and a challenge to make your story the best it can be. 

Let us know what you think about revision letters in the comments! Are they something you dread? Or do you welcome them? Or do you have a memory about your first revision letter that you can share?

One commenter will win a $10 gift card from Amazon!


Have a great Monday!




60 comments:

  1. I remember my first revision letter... and I was so afraid they were going to fire me because they realized I was an absolute fraud!

    They didn't.

    My heart started beating again... and I tackled into it like you would a knotted shoelace or necklace chain, one link at a time and eventually got it unwound and fixed and polished.

    But gosh, my heart sank!

    Now it's old hat. And they're writing the check, so I want them to be happy because I really believe that editors and publishers know what their particular readers want.

    Having said that, with my multiple trips into the indie world, I can also say that readers love great fiction in multiple ways. Doing that has taught me that lots of readers are price-oriented, but once they find you and love you, they gobble up your work and watch for it.

    Jan, like you, I don't use a critique partner any more. I did before I was published, but the editor is the one who says yay or nay to everything, so why change things twice? And it frees me up weeks before it would if I worked with someone... so there's that. Because really, time is money and there are other projects waiting in the wings. That way when I get the revision letter, I can jump in and fix things. Without a panic attack! :)

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    1. So, could we say that we use our editors as our critique partners? :-) And I agree - what if my critique partner and my editor have different opinions about a point in the story?

      And I can't imagine you having major trepidation! But it sounds like you tackled that first revision letter in pure Ruthy style - one knot at a time!

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    2. You know I learned right off that my editor had specific ideas... and that learning what those were and delivering them on a steady basis was just smart.

      Also, as a new author, I wanted to play by the rules. Their rules. Other publishers' rules. It's important to them and to me.

      And they have been known to bend the rules now and again! :) But I try to give them really good reasons when they do so.

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  2. COFFEE IS HERE! TEA, TOO!!!! AND EGGNOG!

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    1. Oh Jan I love Earl Grey too, especially in a bone china cup.

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    2. I love tea in a china cup, too! There's something so very British and proper about it. Jan, your tea awaits. Yours too, Kathy! Lemon? Or cream?

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  3. Jan, you know I've never gotten to the revision stage of any of my projects, but these are really great reminders for someday when I do. Especially the part about seeing it as validation that you're on the right track. When I didn't a revise and resubmit from Love Inspired the one time I tried, I was disappointed, but I also tried to see it as an opportunity. Maybe it wasn't a good fit for them, but that doesn't mean it's not good. Of course, I never did edit that manuscript, so.. :)

    Great post!

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    1. Good morning, Glynis! (It IS still morning for us, isn't it?)

      You might want to pull out that manuscript again. Now that some time has passed, you'll be looking at it with new eyes. Who knows? You might even like it! The Genesis contest is coming up, and that will be a great opportunity to get more feedback.

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    2. That's a good idea. I'll give it a shot.

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  4. I don't have experience with revision letters - yet - but I have entered a few writing contests and look forward to the critique in how to make my story better. I applied what was given and was happy with the results. Apparently they were right in what I needed to do. After changing things I entered two more contests, won my category and finalled in another, when the same manuscript didn't even make it to the top in 3 other contests. I' m thankful for the feedback and already see the benefit in listening to professionals.

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    1. Lee-Ann, I love that you took the feedback to heart and had success on future versions! I'm so thankful for the many contest judges who helped me over the years. I learned so much from them!

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    2. I agree with Missy. Contests are great places to receive feedback, improve your story, and to develop your "ducky back" - aka, to learn to let the negatives roll right off your back and sift out the helpful comments.

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    3. Lee'Ann, that is such a good attitude.
      Jan, love the expression "ducky back."

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  5. Jan, I can relate to this. There are still days when I feel like a fraud, and that "they" (whoever "they" are on that particular day) are going to Rat Me Out.
    I didn't have to do a lot of revision on my first book, "Westward Hope," mostly because I'd been working on it for 15 years and it had been through mulitiple crit groups, crit partners and iterations. It was as good as it was going to get. Major change was my Pelican editor asked me not to "kill off" two secondary characters because she liked them so much. THAT was a total shock.
    For "Settler's Hope" I was asked to change the ending to better reflect the theme I was going for. I knew the characters by then, so I was able to craft a different ending that suited who they were.
    Revision letters do the opposite of making me feel like an impostor. They affirm that someone thought enough of my work to back it as a publisher, and that we're working as a team to get it out there in its best possible form. Obviously I've had GOOD experiences with editors, that may change but if it does I guess I'll deal with it. So far my editors have been "right" and I haven't had to go to the wall for anything.
    It's the whole "iron sharpening iron" thing, isn't it, Jan?
    It's all about pummeling us into shape, whether it's a revision letter, a "revise and resubmit" from a publisher we haven't landed with yet, a consensus of contest judges (the eternal "two out of three"), a critique partner or group, or our own realization on a second or third or fifth draft.
    I've been in multiple crit groups over the years and my heart always sank when one of my fellow writers said, "This came directly from God and I'm not going to change it." Especially if it was a poem about her cat.
    Thanks Jan.
    Talk to you later,
    Kathy Bailey
    Sharpening iron in New Hampshire

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    1. Exactly, Kathy!

      My experience with editors has mostly been good, but there have been a couple that I've had to argue with, mostly when they questioned my historical details. (Note: other than your main editor for a publishing house, your book will also go past a few unnamed copy editors.) But it all turned out well. :-)

      Iron sharpening iron!

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  6. I'm obsessed with people NOT writing poems about their cats and then saying it's from God. I"m not against cats or poems.

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    1. Cats, poems, and poems about cats are fine. It's when the poem is a direct revelation from God... um, sorry. No. :-)

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    2. Thank you Jan, you totally get it.

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    3. I'm giggling. My cat has little to say. That's a good thing because I seem to have enough words for both of us!

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  7. I LOVE revision letters! I always look forward to them and I've only had one negative experience, which was worked through. Jan is right - editors want to make our stories better and usually want to work with us to do so. And not every book is a good fit for every publisher, but Glynis is also right...that doesn't mean the book itself isn't good. It just means it might need to sit and marinate for awhile until the author has more writing chops to bring it up another level, or take the kernal of that book and turn it into another story. Every book is a learning curve and the more we write the better we'll become as authors. That's my Monday morning theory, lol, and now I'm off to finish my revisions (which I've been doing since last week) and send them off to my editor! Have a wonderful week, everyone!

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    1. Yes, Laurie! "Every book is a learning curve and the more we write the better we'll become as authors."

      I love your Monday morning theory!

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    2. Laurie, you are right. My September release (and first published novel) marinated for at least 15 years. You wouldn't believe how many first scenes I lopped off. Well, being writers, you probably would.

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  8. Jan, what a great post! I love this quote: "Read that again: If my editor doesn’t understand what I’ve written, it isn’t her fault. It’s mine. I’m the communicator. If my words aren’t clear, then I need to rewrite them!"

    That is so true! Many times in revisions and edits, I've found that there was something in my head that just hadn't made it on to the page. Thankfully, those are usually easy fixes!

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    1. They certainly are easy fixes! Because I still know what I wanted to communicate, but now I know my words need to have clarity, and often more explanation.

      Thanks, Missy!

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  9. Sound advice--thank you! Hopefully I'll recall this post when I get my first revision letter.

    I remember my first critiques and wanting to wear the bag of shame, even though everyone gave constructive criticism. Growth requires quite a dose of humility. Wish it tasted better.

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    1. Maybe we can drizzle some melted Ghiradelli chocolate over that humility to make it taste better!

      But alas, no. You hit the nail on the head - it's all growth. :-)

      Thanks for stopping by, Samantha!

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  10. I've only published flash fiction, so edits are generally pretty limited (I mean, how many can one have for a story of 700 words?) But even knowing it will make the story better, knowing that it is decidedly NOT a personal attack, and knowing that they wouldn't have contracted the story if they didn't like it already, my body goes into major anxiety mode (physically and mentally) every time the revisions arrive. The longer I wait to deal with it, the worse the anxiety gets, yet the moment I click open the email or the document, I suddenly HAVE to sweep the kitchen, or pluck dead leaves off my house plants, or sort the junk mail. And then as I do those [often useless] tasks, the anxiety just builds and builds.

    Intellectually I know revisions are a good thing, but I have yet to convince the rest of my person that it's true.

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    1. Oh, Rachael, I know just how you feel! One thing I've learned to do is to open the revision letter right away and skim through it. Then I go back and read the positive comments. Then I close the letter and take a few hours (or days!) to sort out my feelings about it.

      Finally, I open it and start working.

      It helps. It really does. And I often find that the comments I read as negative weren't all that bad.

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    2. I forgot to say that flash fiction is a great place to hone your skills!

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    3. I'm totally agreeing with Jan on both counts. Pausing after the letter comes to contemplate life in a cloistered setting--

      Or binge-watching Call the Midwife or something of similar ilk...

      And then attacking. Honestly (don't hate me here) in the end, if they're not asking for your first-born child, these are just words. And sometimes a different phrasing or posing does work better for the reader.

      But also, learning to write short is CLUTCH. Good for you! I constantly see industry professionals waxing on about how difficult it is for category authors to cross over to bigger fiction because they don't have the talent/depth/quality of words or master of story.

      I totally disagree. I think it's much harder in these days of diminishing sales for big books to learn how to scale down the words to a shorter, pithier book. Learning how to write in multiple directions is a solid way to pave the path for a livable income.

      Some might criticize that as "writing to market".

      Oh mylanta.

      Of course we can write for the market. The better question is why wouldn't we? They're the ones buying the books.

      (Sighs...)

      Rachael, keep up the good work.

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  11. In the revision arena I haven't yet been asked to do something that messed with the integrity of the story. Whatever I was asked to do didn't compromise with my hero, heroine or plot. I have been fortunate. That day will come...

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    1. I haven't been asked to change my story drastically either. That kind of major problem with the story will be noticed ahead of time with publishers that require a synopsis. In fact, that is why I've learned to write a detailed synopsis before proposing a new story - if there are problems with the story, they usually show up there!

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  12. Great post, Jan. I am certainly not at the point of a revision letter, but I would think it would make me feel good to get that far. Please enter me in the drawing.

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    1. Thanks, Sandy!

      Getting that first revision letter is a real milestone, isn't it? Something to shoot for!

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  13. I have gone through revisions with editors twice now. I *think* it's getting easier. We'll see when I get revisions for this next one, coming out in September.
    But I definitely want my book to be as polished as it can be. There's so many stories in the market now, if ours isn't up to par, we'll get no repeat customers.

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    1. You're exactly right, Amy! And that's why we like to have editors on our team. I would hate to publish shoddy work!

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  14. I LOVE getting my revision letters. I have had easy ones and tough ones and everything in between.

    It helps to remember that your editor is on your team, and that you both have the same goal: make the story as enjoyable for readers as possible!

    Wonderful post today, Jan!

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  15. I read my revisions and then walk away for a day or so to mull them over. It's important to remember that it isn't always about the right/wrong way to write something or the correct/incorrect way. Sometimes it's simply a matter of publishing house style. And as Ruthy mentioned, when the publisher is writing the check, things need to be written in their style. But these days Indie is an option if you want to stretch your wings a little and try your own style. But, yeah, the first few times you get your edits...take deep breaths! :-)
    Such a good topic, Jan.

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    1. I do the same thing, Jenna. I let the revision notes sit for a while. Often, my mind comes up with solutions to problem areas during those few days, and that makes the revision process so much easier!

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  16. Hi Jan and thanks for this great post! I would welcome a revision letter, that means they are willing to work with you and I'm sure can be a great learning experience, it also means a response to your submission and that the person took the time to give you pointers.
    Blessings to you :) :)

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    1. That's right, Kara! Editors are so busy, there's no way they would sit down and write a revision letter if they didn't believe in your story!

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  17. Great post!!! I love knowing that the editor wants the very best for your story. I had a very thorough editor and my revisions were substantial. I ended up rewriting the last third of the book! But my story was so much better and I learned more from her than I had from any class or book on writing. It was a hard edit, but a good experience.

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    1. That's like the best testimony, Sherrinda. "I learned more from her than I had from any class or book on writing. It was a hard edit, but a good experience."

      Slam-dunk.

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    2. Oh, yes! I forgot about how much of a learning process the revision letter can be! Once we've fixed something in our manuscript, we're going to be watching for that in our next story, aren't we?

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  18. Great Post and Love The cover of your book!

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  19. As an avid reader...not a writer...I don't have a clue about revision letters! I just appreciate you writers hanging in there and providing us with great reads. Please enter me in the drawing.

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    1. I think it would be fair to compare a revision letter to your annual review at your job. They're similar in many ways, and both have the same purpose: to improve your work. :-)

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  20. Jan, this post is just what I needed! We've been talking about Beta Readers and Critique Partners in our writing group. My friend doesn't have a critique partner or Beta Readers...her editor is her partner. I think that makes more sense to me. Thanks again for sharing your journey and for your wonderful books! :)

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    1. You're welcome, Kathryn!

      Some writers mesh so well with their critique partners, but others do better with a different type of process. Isn't it great that we're all so different?

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  21. As a reader I would not expect to be receiving a revision letter, but it can't be much fun.

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    1. Like I commented to Jackie, if you think of it like a review of your work from your boss, it isn't so bad. :-)

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  23. It's been great to watch your journey from the start, Jan. I was so excited to get my first revision letter earlier this month. My editor is so sweet. She was so helpful with her suggestions and comments. This is my first traditionally published book and I'm looking forward to the next phase... hearing what she thinks of my edits.

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  24. Only three pages of comments. Either you were a brilliant writer or your editor wasn't tough enough. I had 25 pages for one of my books (non-fiction) and now that they work in the manuscript - I'd get a lot more than that. I always start by dealing with the simple stuff (commas and ...) and finally get to the rewrite bits. Those are the hard ones. Yes, your editor is your best asset -so choose one wisely (if you get the choice).

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  25. Thank you for your open and honest sharing about revision. Unfortunately, something I haven't experienced, but hope to. Thanks, again.

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  26. I've never received a revision letter but I've the first few job reviews and I remember the anxiety. Even though, thank goodness, I didn't have terrible reviews, I was offered suggestions and I know that the suggestions helped me improve as an employee, Each subsequent review was a little better and I benefited!
    I look forward to your next book and I would love to be entered in the drawing.
    Blessings!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. Excellent post, Jan. This one - Understand that what is in your head doesn’t always translate onto the manuscript well. That's the one I worry about as I write. Am I unlocking these images in my head, or do I know it so well that I'm not seeing the missing links that will connect things for readers.

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