Revisions

I’m up to my ass in revisions. I have 3 books in edits right now, so it’s like an assembly line of revisions here.

I just finished first round revisions on Surviving Demon Island, so baby #1 goes back to my editor tomorrow. And after closing the document, I sat back and thought about this whole revision/editing thing.

I know a lot of writers bitch and moan about having to do revisions to a book. After all, how dare an editor tamper with our greatness? *snort*. (Sorry, had an Anne Rice moment there *snicker*)

I wondered as I reviewed the revision letter, how many authors take exception to editors slapping our babies. How many argue each and every point, clinging to the original manuscript as if any minor change will forever alter the flavor and beauty of the author’s masterpiece.

Puleez.

Yes, we pour our heart and souls into our writing. But our books are also a product, and as writers we have to occasionally take off the artist hat and put on the business hat. The editor’s job is to take the original bare bones product and make it better. Make it prettier, more saleable to the end consumer (i.e. the reader). If we claw and fight and scratch and argue over every phrase, every paragraph, every word, we’re defeating the purpose of having an editor. We’re preventing the editor from doing his or her job. We’re not wearing our business hat.

We’re hurting our own babies by not letting someone else help us care for them.

I love revisions. I never take criticisms personally. When I receive edits, my editor is not saying “Jaci Burton, you really suck as a writer.” They bought the book. Clearly I don’t suck *g*. She is saying “You wrote a great book. Here are my suggestions to make it even better.”

I love that. It’s a business partnership, and one I’m honored to be part of. She has her job for a reason. She doesn’t tell me how to do mine, and I don’t tell her how to do hers.

Onto the next manuscript. 😉