The Pleasures and Pains of #Editing.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, Reading

It’s been a long slog, but it’s finally done! My latest novel deals with contentious themes and these proved a source of much discussion between me and my publisher’s editors.

Usually, editing of my work has consisted in minor grammatical, structural and vocabulary changes. Nothing substantial, as the characters have always been accepted as well-rounded and fully created. Those of you familiar with my work will know I don’t shy away from dealing with themes that might raise questions or even some hackles.

Having set out to write a novel deliberately challenging long-held views, I expected opposition. In fact, I worried the book might be rejected by my usually open-minded publisher, such is the nature of the subject matter. Due to my misunderstanding of some comments, I asked for a change of editor after the first couple of sessions! I initially thought there was unconscious bias toward the status quo and accepted norms. Some readers react that way, but it’s unusual to find it in editors, who are renowned for their political and social neutrality in judging the work of writers. In the end, after further discussion and a change of editors, it became clear it was my misinterpretation rather than any bias, and the resulting healthy debate produced a better book, which was the aim for all of us. Both editors were polite, instructive, professional, and helpful throughout.

I sent the book back the day before yesterday with appropriate comments, having made many of the alterations recommended, and added a few more of my own, mostly intended to keep the assertive nature of my young female protagonist intact. I awaited the next return with a mix of trepidation and impatience. Trepidation, because I was concerned my additions might have the opposite effect of my intention to keep to the spirit of the book while making it acceptable to a wide readership. Impatience, because I want the book out there on the shelves as soon as possible.

Oddly, for an editing process, this book has grown in length. The first draft reached 79,079 words; a short book by my usual standards. The first editing session took it to 81,437, the second to 83,000, the third to 86,333, and the last to 93,184. Much of this additional wordage originates from a combination of the editors’ comments and my attempts to fulfil their desires without diluting the nature of my narrator.

You’ll appreciate my delight when I opened the responding email from my publisher yesterday morning and discovered this final comment, which I quote from the editor’s Edit Notes.

‘…thanks to you for your positive responses to suggestions that must initially have seemed hurtful. It’s never pleasant for us to receive “attacks” on a manuscript that means a great deal to us and has cost us much time and effort. But I was so in tune with what you were aiming to do in this novel, and so impressed by the majority of it, that I wanted to ensure that your message (to say nothing of your quality of writing) will be appreciated by the largest possible number of readers. I now believe it will be, and I’m going to recommend that the manuscript goes into production with no further ado.’

And that’s now happening.

I post this in encouragement of writers who’ve had issues with editors, to show they’re usually people whose only real concern is to get your book published in the best possible form it can be. Writers and editors may not always agree on details, but we form part of a team in the publishing process that has the aim of producing a good book. It’s always worth keeping this in mind when in dispute with your editors. They don’t always ‘know best’, but you can be sure a good editor will always be striving to make the very best of your book.  

Once this one’s ready for publication, I’ll reveal the title and, shortly afterwards, the cover design, which I hope to be involved in (that’s usual with my publisher). Wish me luck!

29 thoughts on “The Pleasures and Pains of #Editing.”

  3. Great post, Stuart. Congratulations on making it through the editing process, Stuart. I’m in the middle of it now with a tight deadline. For me, editing #6, it doesn’t get any easier, but I trust my editor to work with me to make the story stronger.

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  4. This has been an interesting post, Stuart. I do freelance editing and have run into many of the things you mention. Writing is a personal thing, and it takes tact on both sides to achieve the best results. Congratulations on getting through this process without giving up on the book. It’s great when everyone comes out a winner.

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    1. One of the most dificult aspects of this particular session of editing was that the first editor was really down on my bright, well-educated, and kind female protagonist but had nothing to say about one of my male characters who was really unpleasant. It came across as possibly unconscious misogyny. The second editor was much more balanced.
      You’ll have encountered all sorts of personality issues and opinions from writers as an editor, Anneli; we’re a pretty odd group, after all!

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        1. It’s a cliche, but no less true for that: the book is the writer’s baby, and you insult it at your peril!
          Some egos are a little more sensitive than others, eh?

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            1. Well put, Anneli. Unfortunately the inflated ego is usually a barrier to all other considerations. The narcissist generally isn’t able to acknowledge his/her narcissism, or even be aware of it. Maybe the best trick there is for us all to ignore the narcissicists; they really hate that!

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  5. Pingback: The Pleasures and Pains of #Editing. | In the Net! – Pictures and Stories of Life

  7. Congratulations! What a supportive and positive response. I have written a manuscript (many years ago now) but have never attempted to publish it (I don’t consider myself to be a writer – the manuscript I did was an experiment). I think it takes a lot of courage and fortitude to pursue a writing career, in my little opinion.

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    1. Thank you, Lynette. A writer is often defined these days as someone who writes; a definition I find a little loose. But there are many people who write down their thoughts and ideas and never consider them worthy of publication. I’ve come across such manuscripts during my many years in the field and some of those ‘unworthy’ pieces were definitley worth putting in front of readers. Yours may be one such. I’d be willing to have a look, if you’d like me to do that. It won’t be a quick response, but I will get round to it, if you’d like that.

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      1. That is such a lovely offer, Stuart. Very, very much appreciated. My manuscript is not in a particularly transmissible condition right now, and to update it would take time, something I don’t have much of right now. If it’s okay with you, I would like to take you up on your offer a bit down the road? Maybe in the autumn? Thank you very much, Stuart; I’m so touched by your offer and would like to take you up on it.

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  8. A great post and so true. I often have a knee jerk reaction to the suggested changes to my work. But upon reflection, the majority of them make the book so much better. Having a good relationship with your editor is key. All the best with your latest book, Stuart.

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    1. I’ve generally had no problem from editors, Darlene. But this book invited controversy, so I expected some adverse comments. But it deals with subjects about which I feel passionate, and I allowed my emotions to overrule my critical awareness at first. Fortunately, the editors are used to dealing with the passions of writers, and together we arrived at the compromise that was necessary to bring it to publication condition!

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    1. Thanks, Brenda. Should be launched in summer – no date yet. I’ll post about title and cover when it’s nearer to launch.
      Having the book returned a few times by the editors meant I had a chance to include a few new ideas from the notebooks I keep around the house to stop me forgetting the ideas I have at the oddest moments!

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